Living in Georgia: Pros, Cons and Moving Questions

In Madloba's directory, you'll find answers to 101 questions about living in Tbilisi. Do you need a visa to move? What are the prices for rent, groceries, and utilities in Batumi? Why buy health insurance? These and many other questions concern travelers planning to stay in this sunny and hospitable country long-term. In this video, we'll cover the details and nuances of life in Georgia in more detail!

The positive aspects of permanent residence in Georgia include the absence of visa requirements for foreigners; you can reside in the country for 365 days with just a passport. Other benefits include delicious traditional Georgian cuisine, an abundance of sunny days, affordable fruits and vegetables, a large number of international schools, and proximity to high-mountain forests and the Black Sea.

At the same time, those wishing to move to Tbilisi face many challenges related to finding a job and developing a career in their field, finding real estate, setting up a business, and opening a bank account. It's worth noting that the investment and business sectors are developing quite rapidly, so it's now easy to register your own company even without a residence permit.

In 2022, entry restrictions between Russia and Georgia were lifted, making the country increasingly attractive not only for travel but also for permanent residence. Married couples need not worry about the availability of Russian-language private schools and children's interest groups. Georgians' attitude toward children is particularly encouraging; the country is completely safe for teenagers.

One of the most popular questions is: "How do I rent an apartment?"

• Firstly, when renting an apartment through a professional intermediary, i.e., a real estate agent, the property owner will pay the commission.
• Secondly, a lease agreement must be signed with the landlord; this will help avoid problems in the event of eviction or rent increases.

Please note that Russian payment cards, including MIR cards, do not work in Georgia. It is best to bring cash in an amount not exceeding $10,000 per person and exchange it for Georgian lari upon arrival at an exchange office or bank. Euros and dollars are the easiest currencies to exchange. Cryptocurrency is also legally accepted.

What aspects of living and moving to Georgia are you specifically interested in? Share your Tbilisi vacation experience in the comments!

See below (links are active) for the topics discussed during the live broadcast.

0:00 | The beginning of the broadcast about Georgia with Alexander Nekrashevich

1:05 | What documents are needed to move to Georgia?

1:55 | Is a PCR test required to enter Georgia in September 2022?

2:13 | Do I need a visa to visit Georgia? What is a visa run?

2:55 | Are there interrogations at Russian airports?

4:16 | Do they allow men through the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint?

4:48 | Is it possible to travel to Turkey via Georgia?

5:15 | Is it possible to travel from Abkhazia to Georgia?

6:02 | How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Tbilisi?

6:58 | How much does it cost to rent a house in Batumi?

7:39 | Is it possible to open a bank card in Georgia?

8:44 | How to bring prescription drugs into Georgia?

9:32 | Do Russian payment cards work in Georgia?

10:02 | Is it possible to walk past the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint?

11:02 | How to come to Georgia with a pet?

12:06 | How to receive your salary from a Russian card in Georgia?

13:06 | Is it possible to exchange Russian rubles at exchange offices in Georgia?

13:40 | What currency should I take to Georgia?

13:54 | Is there cryptocurrency circulation in Georgia?

14:09 | How do I disable spam on my Georgian Magti number?

14:54 | How to rent a place in Georgia on Airbnb if you're from Russia?

15:45 | The Pros and Cons of Improving Georgia's Urban Development

16:40 | How long can you drive with foreign license plates in Georgia?

17:00 | Compulsory car insurance in Georgia – is Russian insurance sufficient?

17:29 | Is it true that there is a biased attitude towards Russians in Georgia?

19:39 | Is it possible to issue a power of attorney in Georgia for a person in another country?

20:12 | Is Georgia's land border with Azerbaijan open?

20:23 | How aggressive are Ukrainians towards Russians in Georgia?

21:13 | Do you need any grounds to enter Georgia from Russia?

22:10 | Are there schools for Russian-speaking children in Georgia?

23:27 | How to continue studying at a Russian school after moving to Georgia?

24:48 | Are there any public kindergartens in Georgia?

25:51 | How much does fast internet cost in Georgia?

27:16 | Where can I find a competent realtor in Georgia?

28:56 | How to find contacts in Georgia? Expat hangouts

30:00 | Why buy health insurance in Georgia?

31:35 | What should I do if my landlord doesn't return my last month's deposit?

34:09 | Is the Civil Code of Georgia available in Russian?

34:54 | What's the best way to communicate with a tenant?

36:38 | Do Georgian police read messages in Russian?

37:42 | Is it true that the tax rate in Georgia is 1%?

38:58 | How often are gas, electricity, and water supplies cut off in Georgia?

40:31 | How much cash can I bring to Georgia?

41:27 | Do they check phones at the border?

42:05 | Is there work in Georgia?

42:48 | Useful mobile apps for living in Georgia

43:34 | Taxi prices in Georgia

45:23 | Where and how to buy a SIM card in Georgia?

47:18 | How to travel to Georgia from Russia without a passport?

47:55 | Where to put my things? What should I take with me to Georgia?

51:27 | Is it okay to take a taxi from Yerevan to Tbilisi at night?

52:31 | Are food prices higher or lower in Georgia than in Russia?

55:55 | How much do seasonal fruits cost in Georgia?

57:32 | COVID-19 Vaccination Rules for Foreigners in Georgia

57:59 | How to Find Accommodation in Georgia?

59:10 | What Georgian Words and Phrases Should I Learn and Know?

1:00:30 | Is There a Website for Buying Used Clothes in Georgia?

1:02:37 | Which Areas of Tbilisi Are Best for Renting?

1:05:51 | Which areas of Batumi are best for renting?

1:07:41 | Which Georgian bank is best for opening an account?

1:08:29 | Where can I find useful information for those already in Georgia?

1:09:40 | What are the benefits of a Georgian residence permit? How can I obtain Georgian citizenship?

1:11:51 | Public transportation prices in Georgia

1:14:13 | Are shops and establishments open during holidays in Georgia?

1:14:47 | Is it expensive to register as a sole proprietor in Georgia?

1:16:30 | Where can I eat authentic khinkali and khachapuri?

1:17:34 | Where can I exchange currency in Georgia at a favorable rate?

1:18:52 | Where can I eat sushi in Georgia?

1:20:36 | Where can I find a detailed guide to Georgia?

1:20:55 | What languages ​​are movies shown in cinemas in Georgia?

1:21:04 | Electronics stores in Georgia

1:22:35 | Parcels to Georgia and purchases from stores in other countries

1:24:39 | Should Russians travel to Georgia?

1:26:49 | What should you take with you to Georgia, and what should you leave behind?

1:28:08 | What are the duties and taxes on importing goods into Georgia?

1:28:37 | What are the challenges of setting up production in Georgia?

1:29:51 | How much does rent cost in small towns in Georgia?

1:30:48 | Where can I find a sample rental agreement in Georgia?

1:31:58 | What should I do first upon arriving in Georgia?

1:34:20 | Georgian News Channels

1:36:36 | How to rent an apartment in Georgia?

1:38:21 | How to quickly get married in Georgia?

1:39:10 | How to find a job in Georgia without knowing the language?

1:41:08 | What should I do if I lost my documents in Georgia?

1:41:48 | Is it possible to find a job in Georgia in my field?

1:42:30 | Where can I find employees for my company in Georgia?

1:43:50 | Where can I find an accountant, partners, and suppliers for my business in Georgia?

1:46:25 | How much does it cost to live in Georgia?

1:47:28 | What to do in Georgia in winter?

1:49:04 | Is it safe to speak Russian in Georgia?

1:53:20 | What's better in Georgia – cash or a card?

1:54:22 | Scams and Fraud in Georgia

1:54:55 | What's missing in Georgia? What kind of business is best to open?

1:55:43 | How have housing prices changed in Georgia in 2022?

1:56:18 | What shouldn't you do in Georgia?

1:56:50 | Are delivery services fast in Georgia?

1:57:24 | How popular is the arts and entertainment sector in Georgia?

Read also

• Life in Georgia Guide: Stereotypes, Mindset and Daily Life
• Life in Georgia: Family, Work and Business Benefits