Georgia Visa-free year requirements
Georgia has no retirement visa: citizens of more than 90 countries, including the US, UK, Canada and the EU, stay a full year visa-free with health insurance of at least 30,000 lari.
What the law asks for, what the government charges, and how the application runs. Checked against Georgia's official sources on Oct 8, 2026.
- Minimum income
- No fixed minimum Georgia sets no income or savings figure for a visa-free stay. Border officers may refuse entry to a foreigner who has no health and accident insurance or not enough money to stay in Georgia and return home, but the law names no amount. Since 1 January 2026 the insurance must cover at least 30,000 lari for the whole stay. Aliens Law; Foreign Ministry. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Residency
- Up to one full year visa-free Foreign Ministry; Aliens Law. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Lawyer
- Not required Foreign Ministry. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Who qualifies for the Visa-free year
Georgia has no retirement or pension visa. Citizens of more than 90 countries and territories, including the US, Canada, the UK, every EU country, Australia and New Zealand, can enter without a visa and stay for one full year, with no proof of income. To stay on with a residence permit you need property, an investment, a job or a family tie in Georgia.
Georgia sets no income or savings figure for a visa-free stay. Border officers may refuse entry to a foreigner who has no health and accident insurance or not enough money to stay in Georgia and return home, but the law names no amount. Since 1 January 2026 the insurance must cover at least 30,000 lari for the whole stay.
Ukrainian citizens may stay visa-free for two years. Chile and Russia get 90 days in any 180-day period, Uruguay 90 days and Iran 45 days.
Foreigners who do not need a short-term visa but are not on the one-year list may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
A residence permit is decided within 30 days of a complete application. After 10 years on temporary residence permits a foreigner can get a permanent living permit; time spent studying or in medical treatment does not count.
Most residence permits must be applied for 40 days before your lawful stay ends; this does not apply to the short-term property permit or the investment permit.
Visa-free year documents
This visa
- Passport of a country on the visa-free list; EU citizens may also use a national identity card with name, date of birth and photo
- Health and accident insurance policy in Georgian or English, with cover of at least 30,000 lari for every day of the stay, including arrival and departure
- Enough money to live in Georgia and to travel home
Foreign Ministry; Aliens Law. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
How the application runs
- Check the visa-free listThe Foreign Ministry lists the countries whose citizens, and stateless people living there permanently, may stay a full year without a visa. A few nationalities on the list get shorter stays, such as 90 days in any 180.
- Buy health insuranceTake out a health and accident policy from a Georgian or foreign insurer, in Georgian or English, with cover of at least 30,000 lari for every day you will be in Georgia.
- Enter GeorgiaShow your passport and the policy at the border. Officers may refuse entry if you have no insurance or not enough money for the stay and the trip home.
- Apply for a permit to stay longerWhile your stay is still lawful, apply to the Public Service Hall for a residence permit, for example the short-term permit for owners of property worth over $150,000. A decision is due within 30 days of a complete file; the fee is 300 lari, or 450 and 600 lari for 20-day and 10-day service.
Spouses and children
Each family member enters on the visa-free rule of their own nationality. A short-term or investment residence permit also covers the holder's spouse and children, who apply with proof of the family tie.
Foreign Ministry; Aliens Law; Public Service Hall. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Other ways to live in Georgia
Short-term residence permit (property owner)
For a foreigner who owns property in Georgia (not agricultural land) with a market value over $150,000, set by an accredited certified assessor, and for the owner's spouse and children. The permit is issued for one year and extended a year at a time for as long as you own the property; the fee is 300 lari for a 30-day decision.
Aliens Law; Public Service Hall. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Investment residence permit
For a foreigner who has invested at least $300,000 in Georgia, or owns property (not agricultural land) worth over $300,000, plus spouse, minor children and dependants. The permit lasts 5 years and asks for a written reference from a government member or three Georgian citizens who represent a Georgian business. A property owner who keeps the property for the 5 years can then get an unlimited residence permit; a business investor must show turnover rising to $120,000 a year.
Aliens Law; Public Service Hall. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Visa-free year questions
Does Georgia have a retirement visa?
No. Georgia has no retirement or pension visa. Citizens of more than 90 countries and territories, including the US, UK, Canada and every EU country, can stay a full year without a visa, with health and accident insurance of at least 30,000 lari.
Can a UK citizen retire to the country of Georgia?
UK citizens are on Georgia's one-year visa-free list, so they can live there for a full year without a visa. To stay on with a residence permit they need, for example, property worth over $150,000 or an investment of $300,000.
What types of residency are there in Georgia?
Residence permits are issued for work, study, family reunification, investment ($300,000) and property ownership (over $150,000), among others. After 10 years on temporary permits a foreigner can get a permanent living permit.
