🇬🇪 Retire in Georgia

1% tax for businesses earning under ~$155K

Annual turnover below GEL 500K (~$185K). Freelancers and small businesses pay just 1% on revenue.

Citizens of ~95 countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and others) can stay in Georgia for 365 consecutive days without any visa — this is unique globally. Then leave for 1 day and re-enter for another 365. Many US/EU expats never bother with formal residency. If you want formal residency (banking, longer-term stability, citizenship path), apply for a residence permit after arrival.

Trap: The 365-day counter resets when you leave — brief trips DON'T extend it. If you stay 340 days, then go to Turkey for 2 weeks, you return with a fresh 365 days. Track your days carefully.

If you want formal residency: Digital Nomad visa requires $24K/yr remote work income; Investment Visa requires $300K in approved investments OR $150K in real estate. Apply at the Public Service Hall in Tbilisi (the one-stop government service office) after arrival. Approval typically 30 days.

Trap: Georgia's Public Service Halls accept walk-ins but appointments through my.gov.ge are faster. Some digital-nomad applications got denied in 2024 for 'insufficient ties' — work with a local immigration attorney if you're borderline.

Open a Georgian bank account at TBC, Bank of Georgia, or Credo (all expat-friendly, English-speaking online banking). If you have foreign-source freelance/consulting income, register as an Individual Entrepreneur and apply for Small Business Status (1% flat tax on revenue up to ~$155K/yr) at the Revenue Service.

Trap: The 1% regime applies to Georgia-sourced service income. Pure passive foreign investment income is already 0% under the territorial system — don't register as a business for that, since the 1% would apply where 0% currently does.

Spending 183+ days in Georgia makes you a tax resident. Georgia's territorial system means foreign-source investment income (dividends, capital gains, interest from non-Georgian sources) is 0% for residents — even cleaner than Panama or UAE for pure-portfolio retirees. Georgian-source income (salaries from Georgian companies, rental income from Georgian property) taxes at standard rates.

Trap: Your home country's tax treaty with Georgia matters. US citizens still pay US tax on worldwide income. The Georgian 0% doesn't help with US tax — it helps vs countries that would otherwise try to claim tax residency on you.

After 6 years of continuous residence, apply for PR. Citizenship requires 10 years — AND renunciation of prior citizenship (dual citizenship NOT permitted). For most US retirees, PR is the sensible stop. Georgian language test required for citizenship.

Trap: Georgia does not permit dual citizenship for most applicants. US retirees typically don't pursue Georgian citizenship because giving up the US passport is rarely worth it. PR at 6 years is the realistic endpoint.

Confusing the 1% small-business regime with the 0% investment regime

The 1% flat tax is for Georgia-sourced service income (freelance, consulting) under ~$155K/yr revenue, for registered Individual Entrepreneurs. Pure investment income from foreign sources is already 0% for Georgian tax residents under the territorial system. Don't 'upgrade' passive investment income into the 1% bracket — you'd be paying where you'd otherwise pay nothing.

Assuming the 365-day visa-free means tax residency doesn't trigger

183 days of physical presence makes you Georgian tax resident regardless of visa status. The 365-day visa-free makes your immigration uncomplicated; it does not exempt you from tax. If you're using Georgia as your 'tax-residency home' while physically elsewhere, get serious advice from a cross-border accountant.

Overlooking the language barrier

Georgian uses the Mkhedruli script (unique to the country). While English is widespread in Tbilisi's expat zones and among younger Georgians, it's not universal. Real-estate contracts, medical notes, legal documents, and most government paperwork are in Georgian. Budget for a local assistant or translator for anything consequential.

Choosing Batumi for year-round living

Batumi is a Black Sea resort with vibrant summers but quiet, rainy winters — much of the tourist infrastructure closes. Tbilisi is year-round livable. If you're testing Georgia for 3–6 months, you can do Batumi summers; if you're relocating long-term, Tbilisi is the practical choice.