Central Asia & Caucasus
Georgia
Easy, affordable and hospitable: Tbilisi's café and nomad scene, wine country and big mountain hikes. Long visa-free stays suit remote workers; mandatory insurance, ongoing protests and reckless driving are the trade-offs.
- US travel advisoryLevel 1Exercise normal precautionsDetails
- Visa100 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyGELUS$1 ≈ ₾2.60Details
- Price level33%of US prices (World Bank PPP)Details
- English3/5Common in tourist areasDetails
- PlugsType C, F220 V, 50 HzDetails
- Emergency112All emergencies 112
- Tap waterFilter or boilTap water in Tbilisi and mountain towns is widely drunk, but quality varies in old buildings and villages.Details
- LGBTQ+LegalA 2024 'family values' law bans LGBT 'propaganda', Pride events, gender transition and same-sex adoption.Details
- Internet52 MbpsMedian fixed broadband · mobile 147 MbpsDetails
- DrivingOn the rightForeign licences are valid for up to a year; rental firms may ask for an IDP. Drink-drive limit is low.
Where to go in Georgia
8 places with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TbilisiCapital city | 4/5 | $1,340–2,110 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 50/100 |
| BatumiCity | 4/5 | $1,230–1,920 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 60/100 |
| KazbegiMountain town | 4/5 | $1,150–1,730 | Jun–Sep | 60/100 |
| KutaisiCity | 4/5 | $922–1,380 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 78/100 |
| MestiaMountain town | 4/5 | $1,080–1,650 | Jun–Sep | 67/100 |
| SighnaghiTown | 5/5 | $1,080–1,610 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 77/100 |
| GudauriMountain town | 4/5 | $1,340–2,310 | Jan–Mar, Jul–Aug | 41/100 |
| BorjomiTown | 4/5 | $615–961 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 94/100 |
When to visit Georgia
May–June and September–October for Tbilisi and Kakheti wine country; July–September for high-mountain hikes; December–March for Gudauri and Bakuriani skiing; Batumi beach July–August.
Good to know
Entry
- Health and accident insurance covering at least 30,000 GEL for the whole stay is mandatory since January 2026; airlines and border guards may check.
- Many nationalities can stay a full year visa-free, which makes Georgia a long-stay nomad base; others apply on the e-visa portal.
- Since March 2026 foreigners need a work permit for local jobs; remote work for foreign employers or clients is exempt (April 2026 amendment).
- Spending over 183 days a year makes you tax resident; many nomads register as Individual Entrepreneurs with 1% small-business tax status.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Codeine and some prescription medicines are illegal; carry prescriptions and original packaging.
- Entering from Russia via Abkhazia or South Ossetia is a crime punishable by prison.
- Joining political protests can lead to questioning at exit or refused re-entry.
Etiquette
- At a supra feast, drink wine on the toastmaster's toasts, not between them.
- Toasting with beer is traditionally an insult; save it for casual drinking.
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches; women usually need a headscarf.
- Don't lump Georgia in with Russia; the occupied regions are a painful subject.
Tipping
Restaurants often add a 10–15% service charge, so check the bill; otherwise about 10%. Round up taxi fares.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Georgia
- Georgia Ministry of Foreign Affairs: entering Georgia
- Georgia e-Visa portal
- Speedtest Global Index: Georgia
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.