Georgia

Georgia — the country nestled between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea — has quietly become one of the world's most compelling destinations for expats, digital nomads, and retirees. It offers something that almost no other country can match: a 365-day visa-free stay for citizens of over 100 countries, combined with one of the lowest tax rates in the world and a cost of living that makes Western Europe feel extravagant by comparison.

Tbilisi, the capital, is a city of striking contrasts — medieval churches and Soviet-era architecture sit alongside hip wine bars, co-working spaces, and a thriving arts scene. The food is extraordinary (Georgia is the birthplace of wine, with 8,000 years of winemaking history), the people are famously warm, and the landscapes — from the Greater Caucasus peaks to the subtropical Black Sea coast — are breathtaking.

Georgia's visa policy is one of the most generous in the world. Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and over 100 other countries can enter and stay for up to 365 days without a visa. No application, no fees, no appointment — just land and stay.

While the 365-day visa-free stay works for most expats, a formal residency permit offers additional benefits: continuous stay without exits, access to certain services, and a path to permanent residency. Applications are submitted at the House of Justice (სახლი სამართლიანობის) — Georgia's one-stop government service centre.

The Individual Entrepreneur (IE) status is Georgia's most powerful tool for freelancers, remote workers, and digital nomads. It allows you to register as a sole trader in a single day at the House of Justice, and pay just 1% tax on annual turnover up to 500,000 GEL (approximately $185,000). This is not income tax — it is a flat turnover tax, meaning you pay 1% of everything you invoice, regardless of expenses.

Georgia is one of the most affordable countries in the entire European/Caucasus region. A single person can live very comfortably in Tbilisi for $1,000–$1,500 per month, including rent. A family of four can live well for $2,000–$3,000 per month. The biggest variable is accommodation — Tbilisi's most desirable neighbourhoods have seen rent increases in recent years, but prices remain far below Western European equivalents.

The main platforms for finding housing in Georgia are MyHome.ge and SS.ge. Both list furnished and unfurnished apartments for rent and sale. Facebook groups (particularly "Tbilisi Expats" and "Tbilisi Digital Nomads") are also excellent for finding short-term rentals and getting landlord recommendations from the community.

Georgia's banking system is one of the most expat-friendly in the world. Both major banks — Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank — allow foreigners to open a multi-currency account (GEL, USD, EUR) with just a passport, no residency permit required. Accounts are typically opened the same day, and Visa/Mastercard debit cards are issued immediately.

Georgia's tax system is one of the most competitive in the world. The flat 20% personal income tax is already low by global standards, but the Individual Entrepreneur 1% turnover tax makes Georgia exceptional for freelancers and remote workers. Additionally, Georgia operates an Estonian-style corporate tax model — companies pay 0% corporate tax on reinvested profits, only paying 15% when profits are distributed as dividends.

Georgia's public healthcare system is underfunded and not recommended for expats. However, private healthcare is excellent, modern, and remarkably affordable — a GP consultation costs $15–30, a specialist visit $20–50, and a comprehensive private health insurance policy runs just $50–150 per month. Major private hospitals in Tbilisi (such as Tbilisi Referral Hospital and Aversi Clinic) are well-equipped and have English-speaking staff.

Tbilisi has a small but growing international school sector. The main options for English-speaking families are the British School of Tbilisi, the European School of Tbilisi, and QSI International School. Fees range from $5,000–$15,000 per year — significantly cheaper than equivalent schools in Western Europe. Georgian public schools are free but taught entirely in Georgian.

Georgia is a country that will surprise you. The culture of hospitality — centred around the supra, a traditional feast where guests are treated as gifts from God — means you will rarely feel like a stranger. Georgians are warm, generous, and proud of their culture, which is one of the oldest and most distinct in the world. The country is the birthplace of wine (8,000 years of winemaking history), and the food — khinkali dumplings, khachapuri cheese bread, churchkhela walnut candy — is extraordinary.