Georgia Digital Nomad Visa and Residency Guide (2026 Update)

Georgia is one of the easiest places in the world to set up as a digital nomad: most nationalities get a full year visa-free, no application needed. Here is how that stacks up against residence permits and the 1% tax regime, so you can match the option to how long you plan to stay.

Learn how to stay in Georgia as a digital nomad with visa-free entry, residency permits, and tax-friendly options. 

Georgia is an excellent choice for digital nomads thanks to its affordable cost of living, stunning location between the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, and vibrant lifestyle. Its capital, Tbilisi, rivals European cities like Prague or Budapest with its mix of culture, history, and modern amenities. 

In recent years, Georgia has become increasingly popular among remote workers because it’s easy to move to, offers plenty of coworking spaces, and has a wide variety of activities to enjoy.

Thinking about giving Georgia a try? The good news is that setting up here is much simpler than in many other countries. Here’s a complete rundown of visa options and everything digital nomads need to know before making the move.

How It Works

Most nomads I know personally use this as a “default” option; they simply enter the country without needing a visa. They don’t even have to do much to renew it; they just take a border run to Turkey or Armenia, and the time is reset. There are plenty of people who have been doing that for several years. 

Downside

The downside is that while you can technically do it year after year, it doesn’t add up to any established residency, and most public services, if not all, are unavailable to you.

Technically, it is a tourist stay, but plenty of people still work from Georgia with no problems. You just take your passport and go. You can also start with this choice and decide on a residence permit later if you want to put down more roots.

90-Day Visa-Free Entry for Schengen Visa Holders

If you are from a country that doesn’t have a visa agreement but hold a Schengen visa, you can enter the country visa-free for 90 days. So this can be a jumping-off point before applying for a residence permit, for those who aren’t lucky enough to get the full-year stay.

Temporary Residence Permit

Georgia does not have a golden visa, but there are residency permits available for buying property or making investments. If you want a more stable base and plan to make Georgia a multi-year commitment, consider obtaining a temporary residence permit. 

Types of Residence Permits

There are several types of residence permits:

• Work permit: If you start or work for a Georgian company, you can get a residence permit tied to your official work in Georgia. The main requirement is that the job must provide at least the minimum subsistence level of income. If the pay falls below this threshold, you must show proof of sufficient funds in your bank account. The threshold is relatively low, around US$500 per month.
  
• Residence permit tied to entrepreneurship, property, or investments: If you open a business, invest in a newly formed Georgian company, or buy property worth at least US$150,000, you may qualify. Note that this property threshold was raised by 50% from US$100,000 effective March 1, 2026, so older guides quoting US$100,000 are out of date.
  
• IT residence permit: Launched in September 2025, this is a dedicated route for IT specialists. You need at least two years of IT work experience and an annual income of at least US$25,000, and the permit runs for up to three years (renewable). It covers employees of registered Georgian IT companies, IT individual entrepreneurs with small-business status, and representatives of international IT firms, plus their spouse and minor children.

Do not confuse this IT residence permit with the older visa-free “Work Remotely from Georgia” track. They are two separate things. The visa-free year lets most nationalities stay without any application. The IT residence permit is a formal permit you apply for, with the income and experience proof above, and it gives you a documented status that can lead to permanent residency.

There is one catch worth knowing despite the “nomad” label. Under Georgia’s Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons, the IT residence permit is cancelled if you are absent from Georgia for 183 days or more during any continuous 12-month period. So you have to actually live in Georgia for more than half the year to keep it. Time spent abroad for medical treatment is the main exception. You can read the exact wording on the official Legislative Herald of Georgia, and the permit requirements are listed on the Public Service Development Agency site.

2026 Update: Since March 1, 2026, if you work for a Georgian employer, work remotely for a Georgian company, or are self-employed in Georgia, you now need a Special Labour Permit (a “right to work”) in order to work here. Working without the permit can mean a 2,000 GEL fine for the worker, the employer, or the self-employed person. Permanent residents as well as those who live here on a visa-free entry are exempt from this rule.

Duration of Stay

These permits are usually granted for 6 months to 1 year initially, depending on who processes your application. They are renewable, with extensions typically lasting a couple of years at a time, and they can eventually lead to permanent residency.

For investments over US$300,000, you can apply for a 5-year residence permit. The investment can be in property or most professional sectors. If you maintain the requirements for five years, you can apply for permanent residency at the end of that period.

Path to Citizenship

These residence permits can also lead to citizenship. However, keep in mind that obtaining Georgian citizenship typically requires 10 years of continuous residence unless you are married to a Georgian citizen or have exceptional circumstances. 

It’s not ideal if your main goal is a pathway to a European passport, the way golden visa programs in other countries are.

Applying for Residence Permits

One of the advantages of these residence permits is that you can apply directly in Georgia without consulate visits or long waiting periods. You must schedule your first appointment at your local city hall, and renewals can be done online.

Advertisement

The paperwork and forms vary depending on the type of permit, but none require a criminal background check or apostille, which saves time. Applications and instructions are available online. The most important thing to note is that you must apply at least 40 days before the end of your legal stay in Georgia.

Individual Entrepreneur (IE) Tax Residency

This isn’t a visa; it is just having tax residency in Georgia. You need to be in Georgia for 183 days of the year to qualify. It can be combined with visa-free entry. If you do not meet the 183-day rule, you can still qualify if you paid at least 25,000 GEL (approx. US$9,200) in personal income taxes to the Georgian budget in the previous calendar year. This mainly applies to entrepreneurs, business owners, or high-earning professionals.

If you want this, you have to register as an Individual Entrepreneur to access Georgia’s small business tax regime. The advantage is that it is just 1% tax on turnover (up to US$180,000 annually). There are no social security contributions. It is a good option for digital nomads who want to stay long-term while minimizing taxes.

How to obtain this tax residency

Prepare these documents:

• Passport copy
• List of days spent in Georgia (if using the 183-day rule)
• Proof of tax payments or declared income (if using the 25,000 GEL rule)
• Business registration documents or contracts (if relevant)

You can apply online via the Revenue Service portal or at a Public Service Hall. Certificates are typically issued within 15 working days if everything is correct.

Or you can use a service like Gegidze to help you apply for the IE status or even open a company in Georgia.

Other Options

There are other ways to obtain residency in Georgia, but they are less common, especially for those who don’t need a visa for a year.

• Student visa: Georgia is a popular place to attend university and earn a degree. You can qualify by enrolling in a graduate or medical school program.
  
• Family reunification: If you have a Georgian spouse or children who are Georgian citizens, this can be an easy way to live in the country. In this case, the required period for citizenship is reduced to five years.

Is Georgia in the EU?

Georgia is currently an EU candidate, but don’t count on it being accepted anytime soon. Recent political developments have slowed its progress toward EU membership, and it could take another 10–20 years, if it happens at all.

Should I Still Apply for the Work Remotely from Georgia Program?

The “Work Remotely from Georgia” program, in my opinion, is the weakest option. It is outdated, and the official information on it hasn’t been updated since 2022. While it’s still possible to apply, it isn’t really necessary. It’s helpful to know about because it often shows up in search results as if it were a digital nomad visa, but in reality, it’s just a COVID-era loophole.

Advertisement