Living in Georgia
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Georgia, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Georgia. Read about how British Embassy Tbilisi can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Georgian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date: follow the British Embassy Tbilisi on Facebook and Twitter.
Before you go
See our Georgia travel advice for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
If you are planning to commission surrogacy arrangements in Georgia, see Surrogacy section in our Georgia Travel Advice
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Georgia in our travel advice.
British nationals can enter Georgia as visitors, visa-free for up to 365 days. This is the case whether entering Georgia for tourism or for work or study.
If you will work or study in Georgia, after entering the country you should apply for the relevant permit at the nearest Public Service Hall, , which provides the services of the Public Service Development Agency under the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.
If you exceed the 365 day period as a visitor, including if you are working or studying but have not obtained the appropriate permit to reside in Georgia for longer, you could be fined if the authorities have reason to check your immigration status during your stay, or at the time of your departure from Georgia.
Find additional information on visas from the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Georgia.
Check the Georgia Travel Advice for passport validity requirements.
Your British passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your intended stay in Georgia. An additional period of validity beyond this is not required. Read more information on entry and residence requirements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.
Healthcare in Georgia
There is no reciprocal healthcare agreement between Georgia and United Kingdom.
You cannot register for the national healthcare system in Georgia whether you are visiting or residing in Georgia, therefore you must ensure you have private healthcare cover.
Find a list of medical facilities in Georgia.
UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
If you are planning to commission surrogacy arrangements in Georgia, see the Surrogacy section of our Georgia travel advice
Medicine
If you are on any prescription medication you should ensure you have a supply of it or are able to obtain it when in Georgia. Certain medicines may not be available in Georgia (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Georgia to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in Georgia
If you are planning to move to Georgia for work, you can enter Georgia without a visa but should apply for work permit at the nearest Public Service Hall. Information about work permits is given in Article 5 of the Government of Georgia Ordinance on Residence Permits.
Before making your application please check at the Public Service Hall what supporting documents you will need to provide.
To apply for a job you may need to provide a UK police certificate.
You can read information about labour and employment policy in Georgia from the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia.
Read guidance on recognition of education and professional qualifications.
Studying in Georgia
If you are planning to move to Georgia to study, you can enter Georgia without a visa but should apply for a study permit at the nearest Public Service Hall. Information about study permits is given in Article 6 of the Government of Georgia Ordinance on Residence Permits.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Georgia to check what fees you have to pay and get detailed information about the selected study programmes.
Tax
If you are in Georgia for more than 183 days and take up any form of paid employment with a Georgian company or organisation, you are automatically liable for income tax. Information about taxes in Georgia can be obtained from the Revenue Service of Georgia.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Georgia so that you do not pay tax in the UK on income in Georgia that you have already paid tax on. The Revenue Service of Georgia and HM Revenue and Customs can provide more information.
If you need professional advice on paying tax in Georgia, find an English-speaking lawyer in Georgia.
Read guidance on:
- tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
- tax on your UK income if you live abroad
- tax if you get a pension and live abroad
- paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Pensions
If you retire in Georgia, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you are a man over 65 or a woman over 60 and have lived in Georgia for more than 10 years on a residence permit, you are eligible for a pension in Georgia. You must provide evidence that you are not receiving a pension from the UK.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
It is generally straightforward for British citizens to open a bank account in Georgia. You should go to a bank in person with your passport (and work or study permit, if held) and complete an application form. At some banks and in some circumstances you might be asked to pay an application service fee. Applications are considered within 5 working days. The bank may request additional documents from you as part of the application process. Banks have discretion to refuse applications.
The currency in Georgia is the Georgian Lari but bank accounts can be opened in other currencies (GBP, USD, EUR) too.
Accommodation and buying property
Georgian legislation allows foreign nationals to buy property and land except for agricultural land.
Driving in Georgia
Read our guidance on driving abroad and advice on road safety in Georgia
Read the Georgian law on driving legally in Georgia.
If you wish to bring your own vehicle to Georgia with you, see taking a vehicle out of the UK.
Driving licence rules in Georgia if you live there
You can drive in Georgia with a valid UK driving licence for up to one year from your last entry into the country. Beyond this, you will either need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or to apply for a Georgian licence. This is a straightforward process through an application to the Service Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Holders of a valid UK driving licence do not need to sit a driving exam as part of the application.
If you are asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact the DVLA.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Georgia, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Georgia you should register the birth with the local authorities.
If your child has British nationality and you wish to do so, you can register the birth online with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.
It is not necessary to register the birth with the UK authorities in order to apply for a British passport. The birth certificate issued by the Georgian authorities is sufficient.
Deaths
If a British citizen dies in Georgia read our guidance on:
- what to do if someone dies abroad
- bereavement guidance for Georgia
- finding English-speaking funeral directors in Georgia
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
You can register a marriage in Georgia at any branch of the Service Development Agency or Public Service Hall.
Georgia does not recognise same-sex marriages and only heterosexual couples can legally marry. Civil partnership is not recognised by Georgian law.
Pets
You may bring pets into Georgia as long as they are healthy, vaccinated and accompanied by a veterinary certificate or a pet passport.
Detailed information about transporting pets into Georgia is available from the Revenue Service of Georgia.
Please also see information on taking pets overseas from the UK, or returning with pets to the UK from overseas.
Emergencies
Dial 112 for the police, ambulance or fire brigade. English speaking operators are available.
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Tbilisi.
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Georgia, read the information for victims of rape and sexual assault.
Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.
If you need legal support in any emergency circumstance you can find English-speaking lawyers in Georgia.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
This information is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the embassy by the relevant local authorities and may be subject to change at any time with little or no notice. The FCDO and the British Embassy will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. British nationals wishing to obtain any further information must contact the relevant local authority.
Updates to this page
Last updated 20 August 2024 + show all updates
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This guidance has been reviewed and updated where necessary.
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Guidance reviewed and updated.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
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First published.