Temporary residence permit in Georgia when buying real estate - how to obtain it

What documents do I need to buy a home?

1. Naturally, it is a passport of a non-resident of Georgia, or a similar ID card. It is obligatory to have it translated into Georgian and notarized.
2. Sale-Purchase Agreement in 3 copies - one in the buyer's native language and the other two in Georgian. They must be certified at the House of Justice.
3. Payment of the state duty. The amount depends on the urgency of the registration - from 50 to 200 GEL. The faster you need it the more expensive it is. The procedure takes maximum 4 days.

Where should I bring the paperwork for the property registration?

All real estate transactions in Georgia are conducted at the Public Registry, but they are also represented at banks, real estate organizations and notary offices. So, choose the one nearest to you and register your property.

Among all countries Georgia is one of the most attractive in terms of the easiness of the procedure. No problems, no paperwork, no red tape.

You will be provided with an international standard deed once you are ready. You can print it out from the registry website, it does not require authentication.

The list of documents required to obtain a residence permit after the purchase of a property is slightly different from those needed to buy it:

1. Passport (other ID), and a copy of it translated into Georgian and notarised;
2. Contract of Sale of Real Estate in the Georgian language;
3. Payment of the state duty. For Temporary residence permit for 1 year, depending on urgency the amount varies from 210 to 410 GEL. For permanent residence permit (after 6 years) from 180 to 300 GEL;
4. Proof of border crossing;
5. Extract from Public Registry;
6. Real Estate Appraisal Report - The result of the work of an accredited Appraiser;
7. Questionnaire. Filled in at the House of Justice;
8. Photo. Standard passport photo 3 by 4;
9. Mortgage Agreement - if any.

When applying for a residence permit for relatives of the owner, you must add to these documents:

1. Notarised copies of each family member's passport translated into Georgian;
2. Copies of documents confirming that they crossed the border legally;
3. Documents confirming their relationship to the property owner;
4. Photo of each family member

What services can I apply for online?

You can apply for a residence permit for Georgia online on the website of the House of Justice, attaching scans of all documents. However, all originals must be submitted within 10 days of the application, otherwise you will be refused a residence permit.

In addition to the basic cost of real estate, which should exceed 100,000 USD, there are additional expenses. These include the services of an interpreter, lawyer, notary, fees.

For example, here is the average cost of additional services and their necessity:

• Lawyer - charges for their services range from 600 to 3000 lari. They are needed at the initial stage for selecting an honest seller, preparing a sales contract, and conducting the transaction.
• Notary - charges range from 50 to 500 lari. They are needed for certifying copies of documents and preparing powers of attorney, if necessary.
• Translator - charges 10 lari per page for document translation and 30 to 50 lari for conducting negotiations during the transaction.
• Real estate agent - if you use their services, be prepared to pay 3 to 10% of the property value. The amount depends on the region.
• Appraiser - 300 lari.
• Preparation of a preliminary contract (in case of purchasing unfinished housing) - 50 lari.
• Registration of the sales contract - 205 lari.
• Registration of property rights - from 50 to 200 lari. As mentioned above, the amount depends on the urgency.
• Obtaining a residence permit - from 210 to 410 lari. Again, the amount depends on the urgency.
• Translation of the mortgage agreement and its notarization (in case of mortgage registration) - from 350 to 450 lari.

Once all the documents are processed, the apartment is under your ownership, and you have submitted an application for a residence permit in Georgia, you need to obtain a temporary identity card of a Georgian citizen - binadrobou. You must do this within 10 days after receiving permission. Failure to comply with the deadlines may result in a fine.

It is also mandatory to inform the Ministry of Internal Affairs of your country about this. You have 60 days for that.

In the future, don't forget to pay taxes and register your place of residence in Georgia.

If your application for a residence permit has been rejected, don't despair. Carefully study the reasons for the refusal. Perhaps, it is due to the submission of an incomplete set of documents. Correct all mistakes and try again. You can submit an application an unlimited number of times.

Buy property in Georgia, apply for a residence permit, obtain citizenship, and change your life for the better!