Easy entry, a 1% small business tax and low living costs on one side; new 2026 insurance and labour rules, tax residency and healthcare outside Tbilisi on the other, each with a practical way to handle it.
In brief
As of 7 November 2026, Georgia is worth a close look if you want an easy start, low living costs and a flexible tax regime for a small business. A central one-bedroom rents for about USD 500 to 700 a month and one person's all-in budget is about USD 1,100 to 1,400, within wide ranges from secondary sources. The points to prepare for are new 2026 rules: mandatory health insurance for visa-free entrants from 1 January and a separate right to labour activity from 1 March. Everything here comes from press and adviser pages, not official statements, so confirm each rule with the Revenue Service or the migration authority before you act.
What moving to Georgia gives you
- An easy start. One commercial site says a visa-free stay of up to 365 days applies to about 95 countries including the EU, the USA and the Gulf states; older sources give 90 days and the answer depends on your passport, so check it before you travel. Our first 30 days in Georgia checklist covers entry and registration.
- A flexible small business tax. Advisers describe a 1% tax for sole proprietors with Small Business Status whose annual turnover stays below GEL 500,000. It is charged on turnover without deducting expenses. Sources differ on how foreign-source income is treated, so get a written opinion before you plan around it.
- Low living costs. A central one-bedroom is about USD 500 to 700 a month within a range of USD 290 to 900; one person's all-in budget is about USD 1,100 to 1,400 (Wise gives about USD 1,355, Nomad Almanac USD 1,100, one guide EUR 1,099). These come from sites that say they use Numbeo or local data, not from a Numbeo page itself. Our Georgia cost of living guide has a detailed budget.
- A property route to residence. Adviser pages say the investment threshold for a residence permit through real estate rose from USD 100,000 to USD 150,000 on 1 March 2026; one source mentions permanent residence after six continuous years. See Georgia residence permit through property.
- Accessible private healthcare. One guide says about 90% of hospitals are private and that quality is good in Tbilisi and varies elsewhere.
What to prepare for, and how to handle it
- Mandatory health insurance for entrants. Since 1 January 2026, foreigners entering visa-free or on a tourist visa need health and accident insurance with minimum cover of GEL 30,000, according to news and an adviser guide; employees and directors of Georgian companies are said to be exempt, and border officers may still ask for proof. Practical step: buy a compliant policy before you travel and keep the policy document on your phone. See health insurance and doctors after moving abroad.
- The right to labour activity. From 1 March 2026 (Decree No. 70 of 20 February 2026), two adviser pages say a residence permit alone no longer covers work or business and a separate right to labour activity is required. Whether and how this applies to someone paid from abroad is not clear from our sources. Practical step: ask the Employment Agency or an adviser before you start working or registering a business.
- Tax residency is separate from immigration status. One source says you can become a Georgian tax resident after 183 days in a calendar year without a residence permit, and the reverse. Advisers also warn that work physically done in Georgia can be treated as Georgian-source income. Practical step: map your own tax position before you move; see Georgia tax residency and tax residency when relocating.
- Bureaucracy. One adviser guide calls dealing with the Revenue Service and the residence permit opaque and says rules change without notice. Practical step: use a local adviser for the first filings and keep copies of every document.
- Healthcare outside Tbilisi. Quality varies, so choose a place with a good clinic nearby and keep private cover.
- Language. We found no sourced figures on English or Russian spoken in services, and it differs a lot between Tbilisi and the regions. Practical step: learn basic Georgian phrases and test your daily routines during a trial stay.
- Banking. Account opening for foreigners can involve questions and refusals; see resident bank account abroad.
Who it suits
- Remote workers and freelancers who want a low-cost base and can set up the right legal and tax status.
- Small business owners who want a simple tax regime and low overheads.
- Digital nomads and people on a trial year: see Georgia digital nomad visa.
- Retirees on a modest pension who value low costs and a mild lifestyle: see retiring in Georgia.
Who may prefer another country
- Families who need a developed international school system and top-tier hospitals next door; compare with the UAE or Southern Europe.
- People who want a path to an EU passport. Compare options with the country selection self-test.
Your first 90 days
- Days 1 to 30: arrange entry insurance, an address, a SIM and a bank account, and follow the first 30 days checklist.
- Days 31 to 60: settle your legal status for work or business and your tax position with an adviser; test healthcare and the daily routine in your chosen district.
- Days 61 to 90: review costs against the budget and decide whether to extend, change status or try another city or country. Our guide to deciding whether to move abroad and the trial-year guide help.
How a property purchase fits
You do not need to buy to move. If you want to, start with how to buy property in Georgia and what you can buy in Georgia. Owners who also rent a flat out should read buy where you vacation and rent it out.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
FAQ
Can I live in Georgia visa-free? One commercial site says up to 365 days for about 95 countries, and older sources say 90 days. It depends on your passport, so check with the migration authority before you travel.
Do I need health insurance to enter? Since 1 January 2026, according to news and an adviser guide, entrants visa-free or on a tourist visa need health and accident insurance with minimum cover of GEL 30,000. Employees and directors of Georgian companies are said to be exempt.
Can I work remotely from Georgia? Two adviser pages say that from 1 March 2026 a separate right to labour activity is required for work or business on a residence permit. How it applies to someone paid from abroad is not clear, so ask the Employment Agency or an adviser.
How much does a month cost? About USD 1,100 to 1,400 for one person all-in, with a central one-bedroom around USD 500 to 700, from secondary sources with wide ranges.
How do I try it first? Spend one to three months there with insurance in place and follow our trial-year plan.