Rights and Guarantees of Foreigners in Georgia

Author : Dr. Vasil Gonashvili

Abstract :Georgian legislation encourages foreign citizens to invest in Georgia and creates a favorable investment environment. In Georgia, a foreigner has the same rights as a citizen of Georgia, with certain exceptions. Citizens of other states and stateless persons living in Georgia shall have rights and obligations equal to those of citizens of Georgia except in cases provided for by the Constitution and law (article 33.1 of the Constitution). A foreigner has the right to fairly easily acquire an unlimited amount of real estate in Georgia, including non-agricultural land. The legislation also allows a foreigner, with the consent of the government, to acquire agricultural land for investment purposes. Doing business and registering a company in Georgia is easy. Incorporating a company, which involves registering with the Register of Legal Entities and the Revenue Service, can be done within 1 day. After opening a bank account, a foreigner can start business activities. No additional time is required to create founding documents, as standard forms of charters have been approved by the Ministry of Justice. There are several free industrial zones in Georgia, including in the capital. Companies registered there do not pay basic taxes when carrying out their activities. A foreigner has the right to obtain a construction permit under similar conditions to a citizen of Georgia and build a house, hotel complex, etc. on a plot of land owned by him. It is also easy to obtain residency in Georgia; if a foreigner purchases real estate in Georgia, for example, an apartment or a plot of land, the value of which exceeds 100,000 USD, he has the right to obtain property-based residency, and if the value of his real estate exceeds 300,000 USD, he can obtain permanent investment residency. Georgia has a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification, on the basis of which a foreigner carrying out an activity in Georgia has the right to have his entire family with him. It is also possible to obtain Georgian citizenship through investment. If a foreigner makes a significant investment in Georgia, regardless of its value, and if this is confirmed by the relevant ministry in which the foreigner has invested, it is possible to obtain Georgian citizenship. In this case, the foreigner is not required to know the Georgian language. By law, a foreigner permanently residing in Georgia has the same right to a pension and other social security as a citizen of Georgia. It is also important that a foreigner has a wide range of educational opportunities. The state supports a foreigner in becoming a student. A foreigner is not required to pass university entrance exams and can become a student at any English-language faculty without taking exams. The property rights of foreigners, including the right to own land, are guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia. Georgia seeks to establish friendly relations with all countries, including the United Arab Emirates.

Keywords :Investment, Real Estate, Residency, Citizenship, Business

Conference Name :International Conference on Human Rights and Responsibilities (ICHRR-25)

Conference Place Dubai, UAE

Conference Date 2nd May 2025