Second citizenship of Georgia: simplified ways and the real picture 2026

Why Georgia - and why now

Georgia adopted the Organic Law on Citizenship back in 1993 and has not prohibited dual citizenship since then. This is important: you are not obliged to give up your Russian, Kazakh or Ukrainian passport.

Over the past three years, the flow of our clients considering Tbilisi as a base has increased exponentially. The reason is simple - the country has not joined the sanctions, banks are open, company registration takes one day, and the tax on foreign income is zero. The passport opens up Schengen, the UK and about a hundred other destinations.

I’ll be : this is not “citizenship by investment” in the classical sense. There is no defined contribution CBI program here. But the ways to get it are real and predictable - if you know the rules.

Three official paths to citizenship

According to Georgian legislation, there are three grounds for a foreigner to obtain citizenship:

1. Naturalization - standard route through permanent residence.
2. Presidential exceptional order - for persons of special interest to Georgia.
3. By origin - if at least one parent or grandparent was a citizen of Georgia.

Each of them works differently. Let's look at it in detail.

Naturalization: 5 years and Georgian language

The standard way is to live in Georgia 5 years on the basis of a permanent residence permit (RP) and pass exams in the language and history of the country.

Requirements for the applicant:

• Permanent residence permit for at least 5 years continuously (permissible absence - up to 90 days a year).
• Knowledge of the Georgian language at a basic level.
• Knowledge of the basics of history and legislation of Georgia.
• No criminal record.
• Verified legal income or source of funds.

The language exam is not difficult, but you need to prepare. In my practice, there was a case when a client from Moscow, who moved to Tbilisi in 2020, received citizenship in 2025 without any acceleration - he simply lived, opened a business and passed the exam. No magic.

The application review period is up to 6 months after submission of all documents.

How to obtain a residence permit: company registration and property

Without a residence permit, there is no countdown of the five-year period. The two most common grounds for permanent residence are:

1. Company registration

Registration of an individual entrepreneur (Individual Entrepreneur) or LLC in Georgia takes literally one working day through the House of Justice. This provides grounds for obtaining a residence permit for a period of 1 year with subsequent extension. The requirement is real activity and proof of income.

2. Real estate

Purchase of residential or commercial real estate worth from 100 000 USD (or the equivalent in GEL/EUR at the rate of the Central Bank of Georgia) gives the right to a residence permit for up to 1 year with extension. Important: the object must be registered to the applicant personally, not to the company.

There are other reasons - paid work, study, family reunification. But business and real estate are the most efficient and fastest options for our clients.

Presidential exceptional order: fast but unpredictable

This is the most discussed and most unpredictable path. The President of Georgia has the right to grant citizenship on an exceptional basis - without observing the terms of residence and language exam.

Who is it available to:

• Famous figures of science, culture, sports, business.
• Persons whose activities are recognized as significant for Georgia.
• In some cases - to investors who create a significant number of jobs.

I’ll be : this path exists, but the criteria for “exclusivity” are not clearly stated anywhere. The decision is made by the Presidential Administration on the recommendation of the Ministry of Justice. I wouldn’t recommend building a strategy on it unless you have a really public profile. This is not “purchased acceleration” - this is precisely the exception to the rule.

The review period ranges from several months to a year. There are no guarantees.

Citizenship by origin: if you have Georgian roots

If at least one of your parents or grandparents were citizens of Georgia (including the Soviet period - Georgian SSR), you have the right to claim citizenship by descent.

What you will need:

• Documents confirming the citizenship of the ancestor (metrics, passport, archival certificates).
• Documents confirming relationship (chain birth certificates).
• Notarized translations into Georgian.

The archives of the Soviet period in Georgia have been preserved quite well. If documents are lost, some of the information can be restored through LEPL - National Archives of Georgia. The review period is from 3 to 6 months.

This path does not require residence in the country - you can apply through the consulate.

Terms and documents: what to collect

Regardless of the path, the basic package of documents looks like this:

When naturalizing, additionally - confirmation of continuous residence (registration at the place of residence, records of border crossings).

All foreign documents require an apostille and a notarized translation into Georgian.

Georgian passport: what does it really give?

The Georgian passport is not a top 10 document, but it is not a weak document either. This is what it reveals:

• Schengen area - visa-free for short-term trips.
• United Kingdom - visa-free entry.
• Türkiye, UAE, Israel - without a visa.
• About 100 destinations in total without a visa or with a visa on arrival.

USA, Canada, Australia - visa regime remains the same. This is important to understand before making a decision.

But the Georgian passport is a document of a country that has not joined Western sanctions against Russia. For some of our clients, this is fundamental: open an account in a Georgian bank, work with European counterparties, conduct business without constantly explaining “where you are from.”

Taxes in Georgia: territorial system

One of the main arguments in favor of Georgian residency and citizenship is the tax system.

Georgia applies territorial principle of taxation: If your income is received outside of Georgia and does not go into Georgian accounts, it is not subject to Georgian tax.

Main rates:

An important nuance: tax residency and citizenship are two different things. Georgian citizenship does not automatically make you a tax resident. To do this, you need to spend more than 183 days a year in the country or have a center of vital interests in Georgia.

If you become a tax resident, the territorial system begins to work in full force.

Russians in Georgia: 365 days without a visa

There is a special entry regime for Russian citizens: 365 days without a visa during each calendar year. This is not a residence permit or the right to work - just a long visa-free stay.

In practice, this creates a convenient starting position: come, look around, register a company, open an account - and only then apply for a residence permit to count down the five-year period.

For citizens of Ukraine and Belarus, entry conditions are different - check the current rules separately, they have changed in recent years.

Limitations: what you need to know in advance

A few things I tell clients at the very beginning:

• Presidential control. All citizenship applications go through the Ministry of Justice and are approved by the President. This is not a formality - there are refusals, and it is not easy to appeal them.
• Lack of investment program. There is no fixed fee that guarantees citizenship. All paths require time or exceptional circumstances.
• Closed areas. Certain border zones (Abkhazia, South Ossetia) are conflict zones; entry there faces serious consequences, including criminal prosecution under Georgian law.
• Restrictions on the purchase of agricultural land. Foreigners cannot purchase agricultural land - only urban and commercial real estate.

Georgia vs other countries: fair comparison

To understand whether this path is right for you, it is important to compare :

Georgia is the choice of those who are ready to really move and build a life or business here. If you need a quick second passport, look towards Caribbean programs or citizenship by origin.

What the process looks like: step by step

For those who are going through naturalization:

1. Entry and initial registration. Register your residence address in Georgia (registration at the House of Justice).
2. Obtaining a residence permit. Through business registration or real estate purchase - on average 2-4 weeks.
3. 5 years of permanent residence. Track travel periods (no more than 90 days a year).
4. Preparing for the exam. Georgian Language and History - start no later than a year before submitting.
5. Submitting an application. To the Ministry of Justice through the House of Justice or an online portal.
6. Consideration. Up to 6 months. Additional documents may be requested.
7. Presidential approval. The final stage is formal, but mandatory.
8. Receiving a passport. After approval - within a few weeks.

Who is a Georgian passport suitable for?

Over the years of practice, I have developed a clear portrait of a client for whom Georgia is the right choice:

• Entrepreneurs and freelancers, ready to move and work remotely. Territorial tax + simple business registration = very attractive environment.
• Those who have Georgian roots. The fastest and cheapest way - there is no reason not to use it.
• Families looking for stability. Georgia is a safe country with developed infrastructure, cheap living and a European vector of development.
• Real estate investors. Tbilisi and Batumi show stable price growth; Residence permit through purchase is a bonus to investment.

To whom Not Suitable for: those who need a passport for 6 months without moving. There are other programs for such tasks.

Bottom line: is Georgia worth considering?

Georgia is one of the few real options for second citizenship without astronomical investment. Five years is a long time, but in those five years you live in a country with zero tax on foreign income, open banks and access to Europe.

The presidential exceptional order exists, but I would not count on it without a public profile. The descent route is an underrated option if you have Georgian roots, even through a grandparent.

If you are seriously considering Georgia, the first step is to analyze your specific situation: do you have roots, are you ready to move, what is your income status. It takes an hour, but saves years.