Georgia is Eastern Europe’s best-kept hidden gem. After the Rose Revolution, the country changed its direction and moved toward pro-western and market-oriented policies.
The country worked on the principles of open economies and strengthening private sectors to gain foreign investment and interest – and it worked.
Although still pretty off-the-radar, Georgia has become one of the best spots in Eastern Europe to form a company, make an investment, or establish tax residency.
According to the World Bank’s 2020 Doing Business report, Georgia was ranked 7th worldwide thanks to its ease of business. To give you an idea of how impressive that stat is – Georgia was ranked higher than many economically stable and prosperous countries like China and the UK.
Considering all this, it won’t be surprising if you’d want to obtain Georgian citizenship. But how to go about it?
Acquiring second citizenship is not a piece of cake and requires professional help and lots of insight – Georgian citizenship is no different.
This article will discuss different ways to obtain citizenship in Georgia and its benefits. So, before we tell you how to get Georgian citizenship, let’s look at some of the significant benefits of becoming a Georgian citizen.
Benefits of Obtaining Georgian Citizenship
Strong Passport
Let’s start with the most critical aspect – the passport. Georgia currently ranks 52nd in the Henley and Partners Global Passport Index, allowing visa-free travel to 116 countries, including but not limited to EU countries, Iran, and UAE.
Like Georgia, its passport has also had an impressive upward trajectory in the last two decades. EU allowed visa-free travel to Georgian citizens only five years ago, and UAE allowed it only a few months ago.
Georgian citizens can enter and stay in any EU country for ninety days in 180 days. Moreover, Georgia sits at the intersection of Asia and Europe providing a primary base to access and conduct business in both markets.
Taxes in Georgia
No country analysis of ours would be complete without considering the tax benefits. Georgia scores pretty high in this category too.
Let’s be clear, Georgia is not a tax haven, nor can it be called tax-free. Instead, it offers a simplified tax regime with a flat 20% income tax rate.
Moreover, Georgia has a territorial tax system, meaning foreign income is tax-exempt. Georgia also has a particular tax residency route for people who don’t want to spend half a year in Georgia to become tax residents.
Fast Track to US E2 Visa
The US has signed an E2 treaty with Georgia granting E2 visas to Georgian citizens and their families who can invest over $100,000K in the US.
This perk makes the Georgian passport a good option for US citizens thinking about renunciation and who would like a chance to return to the US.
This is also an attractive option for citizens of non-treaty countries like Russia or India looking to establish a business presence in the US.
Now that you know some of the significant benefits of getting Georgian citizenship let’s see how you can get it.
How to Get Georgian Citizenship in 2022
According to Chapter II Article 9 of the Organic Law of Georgia on Georgian citizenship, you can acquire Georgian citizenship through the following ways:
- by birth
- by naturalization
Moreover, Georgian law states that naturalization occurs by being granted Georgian citizenship by the President of Georgia.
Following are the types of naturalization per Georgian legislation:
- granting citizenship under regular procedure
- granting citizenship under a simplified procedure
- granting citizenship by way of exception
- granting citizenship by way of its restoration
This article will discuss the regular, simplified, and exceptional procedure (fast-track naturalization) for acquiring Georgian citizenship.
How to Get Georgian Citizenship under Regular Procedure
To acquire Georgian citizenship under the regular procedure, you must:
- Have legally resided in Georgia for the last ten consecutive years up to the day of applying for Georgian citizenship.
- Know the Georgian language within the established limits
- Know the history of Georgia and the basic principles of law within the established limits
- have a job or real estate in Georgia, carry on business in the territory of Georgia or hold interest or shares in a Georgian enterprise
The requirement to know the official language and history/law of Georgia is not applied to foreign citizens with a physical disability that makes it impossible for them to meet it. Moreover, a person with a refugee status doesn’t have to meet the last requirement (having a job in Georgia, etc.).
To acquire citizenship, you must provide a document proving a legal and uninterrupted stay in Georgia, like a Georgian visa or a residence permit.
A special commission tests your knowledge of the Georgian language and history.
How to Get Georgian Citizenship under Simplified Procedure
Granting Georgian citizenship under simplified procedure refers to citizenship by marriage. To acquire Georgian citizenship under the simplified procedure, you must:
- Be married to a Georgian citizen.
- Have legally resided in Georgia for the last five consecutive years up to the day of applying for Georgian citizenship.
- Know the Georgian language within the established limits
- Know the history of Georgia and the basic principles of law within the established limits
The duration of the marriage doesn’t affect the citizenship application or procedure.
How to Get Georgian Citizenship by Way of Exception
Georgian citizenship by exception is Georgia’s fast-track naturalization program, in which foreign citizens are granted Georgian citizenship if they make a considerable investment into state development.
The President of Georgia can also grant Georgian citizenship to a foreigner if it is in the state’s interest.
Here’s what the Georgian law states about granting Georgian citizenship by way of exception:
“The President of Georgia may grant Georgian citizenship by exception to a citizen of another country who has made a contribution of exceptional merit to Georgia. The President of Georgia may also grant Georgian citizenship by exception to an alien based on state interests.”
Regarding state interests, the law will consider you eligible for exceptional citizenship if you are a foreign citizen who:
a) considers Georgia to be your homeland. Moreover, you or your ancestor is:
- A person residing in a Georgian-occupied territory or internally displaced from the region.
- A person emigrated at different times for political opinions or challenging social and economic conditions
b) is making such an investment in Georgia, or has made such an investment in Georgia that contributes or has contributed substantially to the development of the state economy.
c) is successful in sports, science, and art and is willing to carry on your activity on behalf of Georgia.
The law talks about making a “contribution of excellent merit” to be eligible for exceptional citizenship but doesn’t clarify what it means.
We’ve spent many months speaking with the Georgian government to understand the minimum investment required, how the process runs, and the general criteria.
What we’ve learned so far is vague, but one thing is for sure – merely investing in real estate is not enough. Your investment must genuinely add value to the economy of Georgia.
That’s why foreigners interested in the exceptional route to gain Georgian citizenship are advised to invest in businesses that contribute to the country’s tourism, health, and wellness.
The government has also signed MoUs with private entities to set up “national interest initiatives” in Georgia where foreigners can invest to get citizenship.
How to Get Georgian Citizenship 2022 – FAQs
Georgia doesn’t allow its citizens the right to hold dual citizenship. If a Georgian national acquires second citizenship, their Georgian citizenship will be revoked.
Yes. Georgia provides a residence-by-investment program under which you are granted an Investment Residence Permit for five years if you invest $300,000 in the Georgian economy or real estate. After five years, you will be eligible for a permanent residence permit.
Moreover, Georgia also grants a short-term residence permit for a real estate investment of $100,000 and a temporary residence permit for employees or entrepreneurs looking to establish a business in Georgia.
Should You Get Georgian Citizenship?
Exquisite cuisine, exceptional wines, breathtaking landscape, and rich history – Georgia has everything you’d want out of your second citizenship destination. Moreover, the country scores pretty well in the tax department, business-friendly environment, and investment opportunities.
Does Georgia spark your interest as a low-tax jurisdiction with beautiful scenery and good quality of life?
If you answered yes, set up a call with us. We’ll develop a customized legal opinion for you so that you can be a citizen of this beautiful Black Sea country with the warmest people.
