Georgia: residence options for digital nomads and remote workers. It is outside the EU and a residence destination for remote workers, freelancers and financially independent expats, offering a preferential regime for qualifying new residents, with a comparatively low cost of living. Its overall suitability as a base is rated high.
Visa-Free Stay (365 days) — a digital-nomad visa. 1-year validity, renewable. ~0 days processing. Family: Each person enters on their own nationality; no formal family programme.
Short-Term Residence (Property) — a passive-income (retiree) visa. It requires an investment from 138,000 (Ownership of Georgian real estate. Law on Aliens text shows USD 100,000 minimum; secondary sources report a raise to USD 150,000 (~EUR 138k) from March 2026 — confirm the current figure.). 1-year validity, renewable. ~30 days processing, counts toward permanent residence after 6 years. Family: Spouse and children may join.
IT Residence Permit — a freelancer / self-employed permit. It requires proof of income of about €23,000/year. 3-year validity, renewable. About 183 days/year of presence, ~90 days processing, counts toward permanent residence after 6 years. Family: Spouse and dependents may be included.
Investment Residence — a investor / golden visa. It requires an investment from 276,000 (USD 300,000 (~EUR 276k) invested in a Georgian business, or Georgian real estate with market value above USD 300,000.). 5-year validity, renewable. ~30 days processing, counts toward permanent residence after 5 years. Family: Alien and family members (spouse, minor child, fully dependent person).
Path to permanent residence and tax. Most routes count toward permanent residence after about 6 years of legal residence, after which citizenship can usually be pursued. On tax, Georgia offers a preferential regime for qualifying new residents; eligibility for any preferential regime should be confirmed case by case.
What applicants report. Members have shared 1 first-hand report. reported timelines include Immediate on arrival (no application needed). common friction points: Some border officials may question long stays. After 6 months some services (bank accounts, SIM cards) may require residence registration. Not a formal residence permit so no tax ID by default.. practical tips: Register with the Data Exchange Agency (Public Service Hall) for a residence address to open bank accounts; Consider the Individual Entrepreneur status in Georgia to formalize remote work tax status; Border runs are not required for 365 days but leaving and re-entering resets the clock. Treat this as community orientation, not a guarantee.
Bottom line. For most remote workers the Visa-Free Stay (365 days) is the natural fit; those living off a pension or investments lean to the Short-Term Residence (Property). Weigh visa renewals and banking access alongside the tax picture before committing.
One card per case and applicant type. Colour shows the reported outcome.
Georgia's 365-day visa-free entry is effectively the best 'digital nomad' arrangement globally for eligible passport holders. No application, no cost, no bureaucracy for stays up to one year. The lack of a formal 'digital nomad visa' title is irrelevant in practice — the program works perfectly for remote workers. The main risk is policy change.
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