Retiring in Georgia can be an advantageous choice for seniors seeking a cost-effective lifestyle and an easy process to obtain Georgian residency. This country is increasingly becoming a favored retirement destination for individuals from around the globe. Below, our immigration lawyers in Georgia have created a comprehensive guide that covers: the necessary requirements, visa process, required documentation, healthcare options and tax implications for those considering retiring in Georgia.
Table of Contents
Visa options for retirement in Georgia
Georgia is popular for maintaining a flexible visa policy that is particularly accommodating for many foreign individuals, making retirement in Georgia an easy process. The specific needed visas or residence permits in Georgia depend on nationality and the intended length of stay:
- Short-term visa (up to 365 days): citizens of over 90 countries, including the states of EU, UK, USA, Canada etc., can move to Georgia for up to one year without a visa;
- Temporary residence permit: for plans to stay in Georgia beyond the short-term limit, retirees can apply for a Georgian temporary residence permit. Typically, it is issued for one year and can be renewed annually;
- Permanent residency: after living in Georgia with a temporary residence permit for five years, retirees may be eligible for Georgian permanent residency. If it is the case of purchasing property or meeting certain income criteria, retirees might have the ability to qualify for permanent residency more quickly.
While Georgia does not have a specific retirement visa, retirees can apply for a residence permit based on proof of financial stability, such as a pension or savings.
Required documents for retiring in Georgia
To apply for a residence permit in Georgia as a retiree, you need to prepare the following documentation:
- a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity;
- a completed residence permit application form;
- proof of stable income (such as: pension statements, savings, or bank account balance);
- proof of valid health insurance;
- evidence of accommodation in Georgia (such as: a rental contract, property ownership, or a letter of invitation);
- a background check or police clearance from your country of origin (if required);
- recent passport-sized photographs.
Our immigration attorneys in Georgia can assist you with every step of the documentation and ensure your application meets all current legal standards to successfully retire to Georgia.
Healthcare and insurance for retirees in Georgia
Georgia offers both public and private healthcare services. While the public system is available to those who own Georgian citizenship and permanent resident permits, most foreigners, including retirees, prefer private healthcare due to its higher quality and reduced waiting times. Private medical services in Georgia are reasonably priced in comparison to many Western countries. If a retiree becomes a permanent resident or obtains long-term status, he/she may become eligible for Georgia’s public health programs in the future.
Taxes for retirees in Georgia
Understanding the tax implications is essential before initiating the process of retiring to Georgia. The key points to consider are related to pension taxation, as Georgia does not impose taxes on foreign pensions for non-residents. Even in the case of immigrating to Georgia for more than 183 days in a year, typically there are no taxes imposed on foreign income sources, pensions being included in this category. Moreover, Georgia has signed numerous double taxation treaties with many countries around the world in order to avoid double taxation.
For personalized guidance on how taxes may apply to specific situations of retiring to Georgia, our experts in Georgian immigration can offer relevant support.
Data on immigration to Georgia
According to the National Statistics Office of Georgia, immigration to Georgia is presenting variations in the recent years:
- In 2024, the total number of immigrants in Georgia was 135, 811;
- In the same year, the number of emigrants registered was 121,425;
- From these totals, there were registered 7,213 immigrants and 4,664 emigrants aged 65+ in 2024.
For more information and professional legal assitance regarding Georgian immigration and retiring to Georgia especially, do not hesitate to contact us.
