Getting help with living in Georgia
Help from the Georgian government
For any questions about moving to or living in Georgia, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Tbilisi cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Georgia.
Professional help in Georgia
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Georgia, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Georgia to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Georgia. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Georgia before you travel.
Visas and residence permits
British nationals can enter and stay in Georgia without a visa for up to 365 days. This applies whether you visit for tourism, to work or to study.
If you plan to work or study in Georgia, you must apply for a residence permit. You can do this at your nearest Public Service Hall (in Georgian) after you arrive in Georgia. Read guidance on:
For more information, read the Georgian government’s visa information or contact the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Registering as a resident
Once you have your residence permit, you need to register your address in Georgia and get a residence card. To find out how to do this, contact your local Public Service Hall (in Georgian).
If you have any problems or questions about registering your address and getting a residence card, contact:
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Georgia.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read about permanent residence permits in the Georgian Public Service Development Agency’s guidance on migration and residence permits.
Citizenship
Georgia generally does not allow dual citizenship. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Georgian citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Georgian citizenship:
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Tbilisi cannot help with Georgian visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Healthcare in Georgia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Georgia does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Georgian or international providers. You cannot register for the national healthcare system in Georgia.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
Surrogacy
If you plan to commission a surrogate in Georgia, read our guidance on surrogacy in safety and security in the travel advice for Georgia.
Working in Georgia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Georgia, you need a work permit. You can apply for this at your nearest Public Service Hall (in Georgian) after you arrive in Georgia. Read more about work permits in Article 5 of the Government of Georgia Ordinance on Residence Permits.
To apply for a job, you may need to provide a UK police certificate.
For more information, read the:
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Georgia, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
Driving in Georgia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
You can drive in Georgia using a valid UK driving licence for up to 12 months from your last entry into the country. After this, you must either:
If you do not speak Georgian, you may need to get help from an English-speaking translator or interpreter in Georgia to apply for a Georgian driving licence.
If you have a valid UK driving licence, you do not need to sit a driving or theory test when you apply for a Georgian driving licence.
For more information, read about road travel in Georgia, in safety and security in the travel advice for Georgia.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
You are automatically liable for income tax if you have been in Georgia for 183 days or more and are in any form of paid employment.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Georgia so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Revenue Service of Georgia for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Georgia. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Georgia.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Georgian pension
You may be eligible to claim a Georgian state pension if you have lived in Georgia for more than 10 years on a residence permit.
Men can claim from the age of 65 and women can claim from the age of 60. You must provide evidence that you are not receiving a pension from the UK.
Contact the Pension Fund of Georgia for more information. You can also read guidance on the pension scheme in Georgia.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Georgian benefits
Contact your local Public Service Hall (in Georgian) to find out whether you can claim benefits in Georgia.
Buying and renting property in Georgia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Foreign nationals can own property and non-agricultural land in Georgia.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Georgia if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Georgia
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Georgian elections
You cannot vote in Georgian elections unless you hold Georgian citizenship.
Studying in Georgia
If you plan to study in Georgia, you can enter without a visa.
Once you arrive, you must apply for a study permit at your nearest Public Service Hall (in Georgian). Read more about study permits in Article 6 of the Government of Georgia Ordinance on Residence Permits.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia provides information on higher education in Georgia.
For more information:
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The European Commission provides information about the school system in Georgia.
All children aged 6 to 16 must attend school or home school in Georgia.
For more information, read the Georgian government’s guidance on general education in Georgia.
Childcare
The Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia is responsible for pre-school education in Georgia.
For more information, read the European Commission’s guidance on early childhood education and care in Georgia.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Georgia, register the birth with the Georgian authorities. Read the Georgian government’s guidance on birth registration.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Georgia, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
You can register a marriage in Georgia at any branch of the Public Service Development Agency or Public Service Hall (in Georgian).
Same sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Georgia. For information about LGBT+ rights in Georgia, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for Georgia.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
The Georgian Public Service Development Agency offers guidance on registering a divorce.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Georgia.
Documents for British people in Georgia
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Georgia, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Georgia, read guidance on:
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Georgian authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
