Foreign nationals who have legally resided in Georgia for several years may qualify to obtain Georgian citizenship, provided they fulfill the official requirements. Georgian law provides several pathways to nationality, including: citizenship by birth, by naturalization and by marriage. Our team of specialized immigration lawyers in Georgia can explain each route in detail and provide support throughout the application process.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Minimum time in the country before applying for Georgian citizenship | 10 years |
Citizenship for investors | Yes, under the residence permit for indefinite stay following investment. A separate citizenship application is required. |
Citizenship for children | After 5 years, if refugee or stateless and born in Georgia |
| Citizenship by descent | Yes, our team in Georgia can give you details. |
| Citizenship by adoption | Yes, if adopted by a Georgian citizen. |
| Residence requirements for Georgian citizenship applications | Lawfully resident for 10 years before application |
| Minimum age for citizenship applications when you immigrate to Georgia | 18 years |
| Citizenship for dependents who join the permit holder | Yes |
| Citizenship for foreign nationals married to a Georgian citizen | Under the simplified procedure, after residing uninterruptedly for 5 years |
| Regaining citizenship | – when terminated unlawfully, – due to renunciation, – when it was based on the parent’s decision |
| Language knowledge for naturalization | Yes |
| History/law knowledge for naturalization | Yes, our immigration service team in Georgia can give you details. |
| Naturalization decision duration | Approximately 3 months |
| Loss of Georgian citizenship | – when citizenship was acquired by presenting false documents, – when joining the military/police/secret services of another country without permission from the Georgian authorities – other situations may also lead to the loss of citizenship |
| Dual citizenship allowed when you immigrate to Georgia | Not usually, iy can be granted by the President in special cases |
| Main documents for citizenship applications under the ordinary procedure | – application form; – passport/other proof of identity; – birth certificate; – confirmation document for continuous, lawful residence; – confirmation document for employment/property ownership/entrepreneurial activity; – photograph; – service fee payment receipt. |
Requirements for the submitted documents | Duly legalized translated documents |
Conditions for citizenship by restoration | Georgian language knowledge |
| Georgian citizenship by way of exception | Granted by the President |
| Conditions for citizenship by way of exception | For foreign citizens who have made exceptional contributions to the country or based on state interests |
| Citizenship for refugee minors born in Georgia | Underage persons with a refugee or stateless status, who are born in Georgia, are granted citizenship under the ordinary procedure. |
| Special exemptions for incapacitated persons | The main citizenship by naturalization requirements do not apply to individuals whose physical disability makes it impossible to meet or assess these requirements. |
| Citizenship for minor children with unknown parents | The minor child acquires Georgian citizenship unless proven otherwise. |
| Online applications | Distance services are available in some cases. |
| The authority that receives the application | The territorial office of the Public Service Development Agency, or a branch of the Public Service Hall |
| Citizenship applications if you are not in Georgia at the time of the submission | The application is submitted to a Georgian consular office or diplomatic mission abroad. |
| Can someone else apply on your behalf? | In some cases, the application can be submitted by an authorized representative. |
| Next steps in case of citizenship application refusal | The individual can apply again after one year. |
| How we can assist you | – Evaluate your application for compliance; – Assist you in preparing the documents for submission. |
| When to reach out to our team | Approximately one month before the date on which you complete the minimum prescribed time spent in the country. |
Table of Contents
How can your lawyers help with Georgian citizenship applications?
Our immigration lawyers in Georgia will be able to provide the applicants with legal support in regard to Georgian citizenship application in such ways as:
- evaluating the procedure of citizenship for particular circumstances of the applicant;
- examining his residence in the country and establishing whether he/ she has resided the required time;
- examining his documents and providing him with recommendations regarding further actions;
- helping with translation into Georgian and preparing additional necessary documents;
- advising on passing the examination in Georgian language and history;
- filling in the application and communicating with the competent Georgian authorities;
- informing foreign citizens about the situation with their current citizenship.
What are the types of citizenship in Georgia in 2026?
The Georgian legal system mentions a number of grounds according to which an individual can obtain Georgian citizenship:
- Citizenship through birth: where the requirements related to the individual’s parents or birth are satisfied;
- Citizenship through naturalization: for foreign individuals who meet all the necessary residence, linguistic and other qualifications;
- Citizenship through marriage: possible for certain foreign spouses of Georgian citizens provided the necessary residence and other requirements are fulfilled;
- Exceptional citizenship: granted to certain foreign nationals by the President of Georgia due to exceptional merits and other factors.
What are the conditions for Georgian citizenship by birth in 2026?
Citizenship by birth in Georgia can be achieved if one or more eligibility criteria below are met for the specific individual:
- one of the parents was a Georgian citizen at the time of the applicant’s birth;
- was born in Georgia through surrogacy if the country of citizenship of the parents does not recognize the individual as a citizen;
- was born in Georgia to parents who had the status of a stateless person in Georgia at the time of the applicant’s birth;
- was born in Georgia to a parent who, at the time of birth, has the status of a stateless person in Georgia and the status of the other parent was unknown.
What are the conditions for acquiring citizenship through naturalization?
The following requirements are in place for obtaining Georgian citizenship through naturalization:
- minimum residence: the individual must have permanent residence, meaning that he/ she resided in the country for at least 10 consecutive years; if you need details on renewing the residence permit, our team can assist;
- language skills: he or she has adequate Georgian language skills, within certain limits;
- basic knowledge: additional Georgian history and basic law principles are required when applying for citizenship;
- means of living: the individual must show that he or she is employed, has opened a business, owns real estate, or holds interest or shares in a Georgian company.
We also invite you to watch a short video about citizenship applications:
How can I get citizenship by marriage in Georgia in 2026?
Foreign nationals can obtain Georgian citizenship through marriage to a Georgian citizen. The process requires that the foreign national be in a relationship with a Georgian citizen and go through a proper marriage ceremony. It is important to have a marriage certificate in order to prove the legality of the marriage.
If the foreign national has been in a continuous relationship with the Georgian citizen for five years, he/she may be eligible for Georgian citizenship by marriage. Additionally, if the couple has children, the application for citizenship will be given stronger consideration.
What are the documents needed for obtaining citizenship in Georgia in 2026?
The applicant will need to provide the documents proving his/her entitlement and identity. Depending on the process being used, these may be:
- a completed application for citizenship and photograph;
- a birth certificate, if any;
- proof of legitimate residence in Georgia for the required period of time;
- documents proving the: employment, property ownership, entrepreneurial activities or share ownership in a Georgian company;
- documents proving that the applicant is already a citizen of another country when using the simplified process.
How is Georgian citizenship granted by way of exception?
This is available to foreign citizens who have made an exceptional contribution to the country. The President may also grant citizenship by exception to a foreign national based on state interests (under certain conditions). The aforementioned conditions for having Georgian language, basic law, and history skills also apply for citizenship by way of exception.
Contact us for more information on obtaining Georgian citizenship. Our team will assist you if you have questions about your situation, how you can apply, and when you should submit your application.
