Relocating to Georgia: how to settle in
Georgia is one of the easiest destinations for a long winter stay and relocation: visa-free entry for citizens of many countries for a long period, inexpensive living, fast internet, and large Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking communities. This section is a practical guide to settling in on the ground.
We start with the non-regulatory things everyone needs: housing, connectivity, banking, transport, insurance. Documents, visas, and taxes are regulated by the state, and they change periodically — for those we give direct links to official sources and are preparing separate breakdowns.
Documents and taxes change — verify with the primary source
The rules for entry, residence permits, business registration, and taxes in Georgia are revised periodically. Don’t rely on retellings in chats and outdated articles — verify the terms as of the time of your move directly with the government bodies (links below).
That’s why we don’t fix specific deadlines, amounts, and requirements here as unchanging, but point you to the official sites — they always have the current version.
Where to start on the ground
Housing for your first weeks
For the first weeks it’s convenient to stay in a hotel, guesthouse, or apart-hotel, and look for a long-term rental on the ground, having seen the neighborhood in person. The largest local listing boards are myhome.ge and ss.ge; there are also many options through local chats and agencies.
SIM card and internet
A local SIM is sold with a passport at the airport and at operators’ offices — the main ones are Magti and Silknet. Mobile internet is fast and inexpensive, Wi-Fi is everywhere in the cities; this is one of Georgia’s strengths for remote work.
Bank account
An account and a card are opened for foreigners by the major banks — Bank of Georgia and TBC. Requirements and check times are periodically tightened, so verify the document set and terms at a branch in advance.
Long-term rental
The lease is usually for 6–12 months, with a deposit most often equal to one month. Prices depend on the city and season: in summer Batumi is more expensive, while in Tbilisi demand is steadier. Check the meters, the internet, and who pays for utilities.
Transport and getting around
In the cities — cheap public transport (in Tbilisi, the metro and buses with a Metromoney card); between cities — trains, buses, and marshrutkas. For freedom of movement many rent a car — how that works is in our rental section.
Health and insurance
There are public and private clinics; the level of private medicine in the big cities is good. For the move and for trips, medical insurance with coverage abroad is convenient — options are in our insurance section.
Daily life and community
Lari (₾) — cash is needed in the regions, while in the cities cards are accepted almost everywhere. Tbilisi and Batumi have large Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking communities, and cafes and services often speak English — it’s easy to adapt even without Georgian.
Detailed guides
In-depth, non-regulatory how-tos for settling in — updated as things change.
- Opening a bank account in Georgia: how it works Opening a bank account in Georgia as a foreigner: the main banks, what you usually need, multi-currency accounts, and what to keep in mind.
- Long-term rental in Georgia: how to find a flat Renting long-term in Georgia: where to look, typical deposits and contracts, what’s usually included, agent fees and seasonal prices by city.
- SIM cards and internet in Georgia: staying connected SIM cards and home internet in Georgia: the mobile operators, where to buy a SIM, tourist vs local plans, eSIM, and fast home fibre.
Services for living in Georgia
What’s already on the site
Practical sections that come in handy when relocating:
Documents, visas, and taxes: official sources
For these topics we point you straight to government sites — they have the current rules, deadlines, and amounts. We prepare separate breakdowns relying on these same sources.
- Visa, visa-free entry, and length of stay MFA of Georgia · Consular Service
- Residence permit Public Service Development Agency
- Sole proprietor and the “small business” tax (1%) Revenue Service of Georgia
- Registering a company or sole proprietorship National Agency of Public Registry
- Driver’s license and vehicle registration Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
Nuances people ask about
- The language is Georgian, but in the cities you can easily get by with English and Russian: signs and menus are often duplicated.
- The money is the lari (₾). We show the current rate against the dollar, euro, ruble, and hryvnia on the home page in the “Right now in Georgia” block.
- Internet and connectivity are cheap and fast, which is why remote workers love Georgia.
- Housing in Batumi gets noticeably more expensive in the summer season — worth keeping in mind for a long-term rental.