How to obtain a Georgian passport: by birth, naturalisation, investment, marriage

1. Visa-free travel to 137 countries. Georgian citizens enjoy visa-free access to many countries, including the EU, Switzerland, the UAE, and the CIS. Therefore, business, travel, and cultural exchange opportunities are facilitated by citizenship.

2. Economic opportunities. Georgia has been recognised for its business-friendly environment. It is ranked 32nd in the global index of Economic Freedom in 2024.

The country also offers tax exemptions for enterprises. There is no corporate tax on micro businesses with an annual turnover under GEL 30,000, or $11,322. Entrepreneurs with annual turnover under GEL 500,000, or $188,703, pay the corporate tax at 1%; in other cases, the rate is 3%.

Second passport as a way to global mobility

3. Free healthcare and education. The country is developing its healthcare and education systems to provide accessible and quality services to its citizens. These social benefits are available to Georgian citizens for free.

4. Safety and hospitality. Georgia is known for its hospitality and safety. The country is among the 20 safest countries in the world, as per the Numbeo Crime Index 2024. This creates a welcoming environment for both citizens and visitors.

5. Strategic location. Georgia’s strategic location is a gateway between Europe and Asia, offering unique economic and logistical opportunities for trade and business.

The country has free trade agreements with the EU, several countries of the CIS, China, Hong Kong, and Turkey. Georgia also benefits from reduced duty tariffs with Canada, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, and the USA.

Georgia offers multiple pathways to citizenship, including birth, naturalisation, marriage, repatriation, and investment. Foreigners who lost their Georgian citizenship are allowed to restore it.

Citizenship eligibility criteria and requirements vary significantly depending on the path.

By birth. A child born to at least one Georgian parent automatically qualifies for Georgia citizenship, irrespective of the place of birth. Children born or found in Georgia of unknown or stateless parents also acquire Georgian nationality.

Children born in Georgia to foreign parents do not obtain a Georgian passport.

By naturalisation. Foreign individuals can apply for citizenship through naturalisation. To be eligible, they must meet the following criteria:

• continuously live in Georgia for 10 years;

• prove knowledge of the Georgian language, history, and basic laws;

• have means of subsistence in Georgia, such as employment or property.

To live in Georgia for an extended period, foreigners obtain a residence permit. If they reside in the country for 6 years, they become eligible for permanent residency. After an additional 4 years, they can apply for citizenship by naturalisation.

By marriage. Spouses of Georgian citizens get a passport by naturalisation but via a simplified procedure. To naturalise, they continuously reside in Georgia for 5 years instead of 10.

Another requirement is to prove knowledge of the Georgian language, history, and general principles of law.

By restoration. Georgia citizenship can be reinstated for individuals whose citizenship was revoked either unlawfully, through voluntary renunciation, or due to a decision made by their parents.

To restore citizenship, a person should confirm proficiency in the Georgian language. However, if the citizenship was revoked unlawfully, the requirement does not apply.

By repatriation. The Georgian President can also grant citizenship based on the state interest. Three types of individuals qualify:

• those from Georgia’s occupied territories;

• those who were forcefully displaced, i.e. in the Soviet times;

• those who emigrated due to political beliefs or challenging socio-economic circumstances.

By investment. Investors may get citizenship by contributing significantly to the Georgian economy. There are two investment options.

The first option requires to invest at least $100,000 in the Georgian economy. An investor gets a temporary residence permit valid for 5 years. Then, they obtain permanent residency in Georgia and, finally, apply for citizenship.

Under the second investment option, an applicant contributes a minimum of $300,000. In this case, the Georgian government issues an indefinite investment residence permit.

In both options, investors become eligible to apply for Georgia citizenship by naturalisation after a total of 10 years of residing in the country.

Dual citizenship rules. Georgia allows dual citizenship only for citizens who obtained their passports based on the state interest. Other individuals must renounce their previous citizenship to get Georgian nationality.

Georgia citizenship is not granted to the following individuals:

• involved in international crimes against peace and humanity;

• committed severe crimes against individual and state security, public safety, and public order;

• deem a threat to the national or public security of Georgia;

• sought by Georgian or international law enforcement, including Interpol, or undergo extradition or deportation procedures.

There are several eligibility criteria for Georgia citizenship:

1. Making an investment of either $100,000 for a 5-year temporary permit or $300,000 for permanent residency. The investment can go to business, property purchase, or state projects.

2. Proficiency in the Georgian language.

3. Knowledge of the country’s history and basic legal principles. Individuals unable to take the exam due to a significant disability are exempt from this requirement.

Applicants who choose to invest $300,000 must also fulfil additional conditions. In the case of real estate investment, the applicant cannot sell the property within 5 years after getting permanent residency. Renting of property is not considered an investment.

If the investor contributes $300,000 to a business, the annual turnover of the enterprise has to hit several marks:

• $50,000 in the first year;

• $100,000 in the second year;

• $120,000 in the third, fourth, and fifth years.

Investors must renounce their previous citizenship to become citizens of Georgia, as dual citizenship is prohibited in the country.

To apply for residency and then citizenship, an investor collects a pack of documents as follows:

1. Passport or another document certifying citizenship and identity.

2. Copy of a birth certificate.

3. Application form.

4. Colour photo 3 × 4 cm in size. It is submitted in a digital form.

5. At least two reference letters from Georgian citizens or residents. They should recommend granting Georgian citizenship to the applicant.

6. Documents confirming the investment, if applicable.

7. Receipt confirming the payment of the service fee.

Documents should be translated into Georgian and notarised. They are submitted to the Public Service Hall or a corresponding territorial service in Georgia. A candidate can also apply abroad via a diplomatic mission of Georgia.

Taxes. The personal income tax in Georgia is paid at a flat rate of 20%. It is applied to local income only. To compare, the average income tax rate in the US is 42,3%. In the EU, the average rate is 43%.

The standard VAT rate in Georgia is 18%. The VAT in the EU varies between 17% in Luxembourg and 27% in Hungary, with the average rate being 21,6%.

The property tax in Georgia is 1%, which is slightly higher than in Europe. For example, the real estate tax is 0,21% in Germany, 0,55% in the Netherlands, and 1% in France. However, real estate prices in Georgia are significantly lower than in EU countries, so the difference in the nominal value will be reversed.

As for the corporate tax, the rate is 15% for most businesses and 20% for banks and other financial organisations. In comparison, the average corporate income tax is 21,3% in EU countries and 23,5% worldwide.

Small enterprises are eligible for a special tax regime. Entrepreneurs do not pay corporate tax if their annual turnover is below $11,322. For businesses with an annual turnover of $188,703 or below, the corporate tax rate is 1%.

Cost of living. The estimated monthly cost of living in Georgia for a single person is around $600 without rent. A family of four will need approximately $2,100, the rent excluded.

The cost of living in Georgia is 50% less than in the US and 76% less than in Germany.

The average rental of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is $620 per month. A 3-bedroom apartment in the same location will cost $1,130. This is 66% less than in the US and 73% less than in Germany.

Source: Numbeo.com

Investors have other opportunities to get a second passport without a requirement to move to the country. Citizenship by investment programs operate in Caribbean countries, Vanuatu, Egypt, and Turkey. The investment requirement starts at $100,000+ with the obtaining period of 1+ month.

A second passport provides investors and their families with the benefits of visa-free travel, along with the opportunity to live, work, and study in the host country.

1. The Georgian passport offers visa-free travel to 137 countries, free healthcare and education, and business opportunities.

2. In Georgia, a person may get citizenship by birth, naturalisation, marriage, restoration, repatriation, and investment.

3. To get Georgian citizenship by investment, a foreigner either invests $100,000 and gets a temporary permit, or invests $300,000 and becomes a permanent resident. In both options, a foreigner must reside in the country for 10 years to naturalise.

4. There are other countries where investors can get a second passport. Examples include Caribbean countries, Vanuatu, Egypt, and Turkey. The minimum investment is $100,000, and the minimum time of issuance is 1 month.