Moving to Georgia

Georgia allows visa-free entry for 1 year for citizens of 90+ countries. Work and study do not require a separate visa during this period. Residence permits are needed for stays beyond 1 year.

Tbilisi has become one of the world's top digital nomad hubs. The local job market pays very low wages by Western standards, so most expats work remotely for foreign companies or freelance internationally. A growing startup scene exists, particularly in tech and tourism, but salaries remain modest.

Georgia has a basic universal healthcare programme that covers emergency care and some services for residents. However, the public system is underfunded and quality varies greatly. Private clinics in Tbilisi (Evex, MediClub, National Center of Surgery) offer good-quality care at prices that are a fraction of Western costs. A private doctor visit costs around 30-80 GEL ($11-30 USD). Many expats purchase private health insurance for 50-150 GEL/month ($19-57 USD). Dental and cosmetic procedures are increasingly popular with medical tourists. Outside Tbilisi, healthcare options are limited.

Georgia is surprisingly well-connected digitally. Mobile internet is cheap and fast in cities, and most administrative tasks can be done at the one-stop Public Service Hall. Banking apps from Bank of Georgia and TBC are excellent and support multi-currency operations, card management, and instant transfers.

Georgian culture is built on an almost sacred tradition of hospitality. The saying 'stumeri ghmertisaa' (a guest is from God) is not a platitude — it is a lived value. Social life revolves around the supra, a traditional feast led by a tamada (toastmaster) where elaborate toasts, singing, and enormous quantities of food and wine flow for hours. Georgia claims to be the birthplace of wine (8,000 years of winemaking), and the traditional qvevri method (clay vessel fermentation) is UNESCO-recognized. The country is deeply Orthodox Christian, and churches and monasteries are central to national identity. Family bonds are exceptionally strong; multiple generations often live together, and family obligations take clear priority over individual plans. Despite the traditional foundations, Tbilisi has a surprisingly progressive and cosmopolitan youth culture, with a thriving arts, music, and nightlife scene.

• •Hospitality is genuine and deeply embedded — refusing food or drink can be seen as impolite.
• •The supra (feast) is a core social institution. Be prepared for long toasts and abundant food.
• •Wine is not just a drink but a national identity. Visit Kakheti to experience qvevri winemaking.
• •Respect for elders is paramount. Stand when an older person enters the room.
• •Orthodox Christianity shapes public holidays, weekly rhythms, and social norms.