Stage 1. One to two months before you move
Check your passport — keep at least six months of validity beyond your stay and ensure you have free pages.
Arrange health insurance — from 1 January 2026, entry requires insurance with coverage from GEL 30,000.
Build a financial cushion — budget for at least two to three months of living costs with no income: rent, deposit, food, transport, contingencies.
Prepare your documents — get notarised copies and translations of your passport, diplomas, and marriage and birth certificates.
Research neighbourhoods — Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi each have a distinct character.
Stage 2. Travel and entry
Citizens of around 98 countries enter visa-free and may stay up to 365 days. At the border, be ready to show your insurance and proof of your trip's purpose. The lari (GEL) trades at roughly 2.7 to the US dollar — carry a little cash for arrival and withdraw the rest locally.
Stage 3. Your first week on the ground
Book short-term accommodation for one or two weeks first, then search for a long-term rental in person once you can view places. When signing a lease, clarify who pays utilities and how large the deposit is.
Get a local SIM card — Magti, Silknet or Cloud9 offer solid coverage. A local SIM is essential for banking SMS codes, taxis and deliveries.
Open an account with Bank of Georgia or TBC Bank. You will need your passport and sometimes proof of connection to the country. A local card makes paying rent and daily expenses dramatically easier.
Stage 4. Legalising your stay in the first month
Choose a residence permit type — work, investment, study or pensioner — base it on your situation.
Submit your application through the Public Service Development Agency (House of Justice).
Assess your taxes — after 183 days in the country within a year, you become a tax resident. Look at the small-business individual entrepreneur status with a 1% turnover tax for annual turnover up to GEL 500,000.
Stage 5. Settling in
Locate a clinic and pharmacy near your home. Sort out transport: Tbilisi has a metro and convenient ride-hailing apps. Set up home internet with Magti or Silknet. Start learning basic Georgian — even a few phrases warm locals to you.
The checklist at a glance
1. Passport, insurance from GEL 30,000, document translations. 2. Financial cushion for two to three months. 3. Short-term housing for arrival. 4. SIM card and bank account in week one. 5. Choose and submit a residence permit application. 6. Tax status and, if needed, individual entrepreneur registration. 7. Long-term rental, healthcare, transport and internet.
FAQ
How much money do I need for the first month?
It depends on the city and lifestyle, but plan for rent plus deposit and two to three months of expenses ahead.
Can I move on visa-free entry first and arrange a permit later?
Yes, many people do exactly this: test the country for up to 365 days, then apply for a residence permit.
Do I need to speak Georgian?
Not for everyday life — English and Russian are common in the cities. But the language helps with integration and matters for future naturalisation.
When do I become a tax resident?
After spending 183 or more days in the country within a year.