Moving to Tbilisi
A step-by-step guide for people who actually plan to stay in Tbilisi, Georgia. Not a vacation itinerary.
Monthly cost
$1,147
solo, city centre
Livability
68/100
decent
Safety
68/100
Fine. Just keep your wits about you
PR timeline
10 yrs
citizenship: 10y
How to move to Tbilisi
Visas, residency, and the paperwork you can't avoid
Remotely from Georgia
Smooth sailingDuration: Up to 1 year
Passport from 95+ countries. No income tax if employed abroad.
Visa difficulty by nationality
10 years
to permanent residency
10 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires Georgian language proficiency and a Georgian history & law exam.
Work permit accessibility: easy
What it costs to move to Tbilisi
First-month sticker shock, decoded
Day-one setup cost
$681
1-bed, city centre / mo
Cheaper than 81% of 97 cities
$1,348
3-bed, city centre / mo
Monthly burn (solo)
$1,147/moRent + groceries + transport + utilities. No avocado toast budget.
Housing friction
Easy1–7 days, minimal paperwork
- •Passport sufficient — no visa needed for most nationalities (1 year)
- •1 month's deposit typical
- •No credit checks or income requirements
- •Facebook groups and SS.ge main listing platforms
First month in Tbilisi
The to-do list nobody gives you at the airport
- ☐
Apply for Remotely from Georgia
Up to 1 year. Passport from 95+ countries. No income tax if employed abroad.
- ☐
Open a local bank account
Bring a Georgian-speaking friend or prepare for mime-based banking
- ☐
Get a local SIM card
~$12/mo for 10GB+
- ☐
Find an apartment
Expect 1–7 days, minimal paperwork. Housing friction: Easy.
- ☐
Have $2,453 ready for move-in costs
First month + 1mo deposit + furniture
- ☐
Register with local authorities
Most countries require address registration within 30 days
- ☐
Get health insurance
Private insurance ~$40/mo until residency kicks in
- ☐
Start learning basic Georgian
Not optional. Download Duolingo before the plane lands
Language in Tbilisi
Can you order coffee without pointing?
Georgian
primary language
Moderate
English proficiency
English proficiency is moderate. Learning at least basic Georgian isn't optional — it's survival.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, freedom, and regime vibes
5.2/10
democracy index (EIU)
⚠️ Hybrid regime
regime type
#109 of 163
Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful)
Travel advisory: Level 2 — Exercise increased caution
FCDO advises against travel to some regions.
Is Tbilisi safe?
Crime stats for people who read footnotes
🤷
Fine. Just keep your wits about you
2.3
homicides per 100k
Crime index: 25/100
Low crime. You'll probably worry more about sunburn.
Weather in Tbilisi
What the thermometer actually says
29°C
summer highs
-1°C
winter lows
45 Mbps
average download speed
If you get sick
Healthcare access for new arrivals
System: Universal Healthcare Program for citizens; foreigners need private insurance
Before residency: Universal Healthcare Program covers basic care for Georgian residents, including registered foreigners. Pre-residency: emergency care available, private insurance recommended (~$35/mo — Georgia is very cheap). Many expats use private clinics even after enrollment — $20 for a GP visit. (private insurance ~$40/mo)
The honest take
What we'd tell a friend
Going for it
- ✓ $681/mo in Tbilisi. Money actually lasts all month.
- ✓ 29°C summers in Tbilisi. Retire the winter coat.
- ✓ Ski weekends from Tbilisi. Mountains that earn their keep.
Think twice about
- ✗ Tbilisi: 2.3 homicides/100k — elevated, not alarming.
- ✗ Georgia: 5.2/10 democracy index. Research Tbilisi carefully.
- ✗ Tbilisi drops to -1°C in winter. Wardrobe upgrade needed.
This is the settler summary. For the full data dump:
Full Tbilisi profile →