Move to Georgia
2 cities, one country, zero sugar-coating. Residency paths, real costs, and whether the government will leave you alone.
Georgia at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Path to PR
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
6 years
to permanent residency
10 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires Georgian language proficiency and a Georgian history & law exam.
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
Separate work authorization required under 2026 labour migration law. Remote work for foreign employers unaffected.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in Georgia
2 cities ranked by Livability Score — the one number that rolls up rent, safety, democracy, and internet
Batumi
71/100Tbilisi
68/100Compare cities in Georgia
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$681
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 2 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$28,285
GDP per capita
15%
Corporate tax
12.1%
Unemployment
1.1%
Inflation
Moderate inequality — some neighborhoods will feel like different countries.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
4.7/10
⚠️ Hybrid regime
51
/100Freedom House score
#109 of 163
Global Peace Index
#114
Press freedom rank
Is Georgia safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Fine. Know your neighborhoods and don't be an idiot at 3am.
Safest tracked city: Batumi (2.3 per 100k)
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
Georgian
Primary language
Moderate
English proficiency (#35 globally)
English won't carry you far here. Learning Georgian isn't optional — it's the price of admission.
❓ Moving to Georgia — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in Georgia?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Batumi ranks #1 in Georgia with a score of 71/100. City-centre rent starts around $461/month.
How much does it cost to live in Georgia?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $461 to $681/month across our 2 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $998.
How do I get permanent residency in Georgia?▾
The path to permanent residency in Georgia typically takes 6 years. Citizenship is possible after 10 years. Note: Requires Georgian language proficiency and a Georgian history & law exam.
Is Georgia a democracy?▾
Georgia scores 4.7/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Hybrid regime." It ranks #109 of 163 on the Global Peace Index.
Is Georgia safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in Georgia is 2.3 per 100,000 people. That's within the normal range for developed countries.