Many nationalities (including UK citizens) can stay visa-free for up to a year; for longer stays a renewable residence permit is available, including a route based on property investment (the threshold rose to about US$150,000 in 2026).
A few things to line up early:
Visa rules change often — treat this as a starting point and confirm the latest official requirements before you plan.
Remember: buying a home and gaining the right to live there are usually separate steps. See how ownership works in Georgia, and what it costs to live there in our cost-of-retiring guide.
Georgia runs a territorial system, so a resident's foreign-source income, including a UK state or private pension, is not taxed at all; only Georgian-source income is taxed, at a flat 20%. It is one of the simplest regimes for a retiree, but confirm your own position.
Private hospitals in Tbilisi (such as the American Hospital and MediClub) and Batumi offer good routine care with English-speaking staff and modern equipment at low cost, though complex treatment can mean travelling to Istanbul or Europe. Most expats use affordable local private insurance and pay modest out-of-pocket fees. Very safe with famously warm hospitality; English is growing among younger people though Russian and Georgian dominate, driving is on the right, and life is very affordable for British retirees.
Tbilisi for the liveliest expat scene, cafes and best hospitals, and Batumi on the Black Sea for a milder, cheaper and greener seaside base.
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