How do You get Georgian Citizenship

Short History: Located on the eastern banks of the Black Sea, Georgia is a country known for its ancient civilization. There have been populations living in the region since nearly 2 million years ago, some of the oldest civilizations found within Eurasia. Georgia is often cited as the “First Europe.” 

With it comes a long, rich culture with a distinct alphabet and the oldest wine region worldwide. Those familiar with the Silk Road will enjoy exploring the heart of the trade route that ran right through Georgia. Since being an independent republic, to a part of the Soviet Union, to once again returning as a sovereign nation in 1991, Georgia has steadily developed into a modern country with many benefits for foreign nationals interested in residing close to Europe, Asia, and Russia.

Taxes: The personal income tax – for locals and foreigners – for locally sourced income is 20% (only 5% for interest, dividends, and royalty). However, foreign-sourced income is tax-exempt! There is no property tax except for rental income (<1%). Keep in mind that you are a tax resident once you stay in the country for at least 183 days per year.

Corporate tax is 15%. VAT is 18%. The import tax ranges from 0-12%. Excise duties are only imposed on certain goods, such as gas, alcohol, and automobiles. There are also several tax incentives for businesses to reduce tax rates on certain business activities.

Advantages & Disadvantages: The lifestyle and monetary advantages of Georgia really make Georgian residency and citizenship a standout in Europe. The cost of goods and services is quite cheap, even with luxury goods. The process to open bank accounts, buy a car, or start a business is stress-free. 

Low taxation helps to stretch money out further and opportunities to invest in business or real estate ensure that foreign nationals can make more income. While the country is not as developed as other parts of Europe and the language is difficult to master, Georgia is quickly improving its industries and infrastructure. It is also more difficult to reach tourist destinations within the country, but this is made up by the close and cheap proximity to other global travel hotspots.

Languages: The official language is Georgian. However, a foreign national can get by knowing Russian in Batumi and English in Tbilisi. If a foreign national is interested in becoming a citizen, they will need to pass a language test as well as a basic law and history test.

Healthcare: Expats are not covered under Georgia’s healthcare system, thus receive no subsidized or free services. While Georgia is expanding many areas of its economy and development, healthcare services are still being improved and are not yet at the same level as the rest of Europe. There are plenty of affordable healthcare insurance companies to choose from and purchasing a comprehensive policy is a necessary part of life in the country as a foreign national.

Retirement: There are no specific retirement programs in Georgia, but the affordable cost of real estate investment as an option for residency makes it an ideal location for retirement. Further, the cost of living is low, banks offer a high interest rate of 9.5%, and the tax system makes retirement money go a long way compared to other retirement destinations.