Residence permit through buying property

Buying property is grounds to apply for a residence permit in Georgia. On 1 March 2026 the threshold rose from $100,000 to $150,000 — the third increase in the history of the programme. Deals registered before that date are assessed against the old threshold.

It is the appraisal that counts, not the contract price

The detail people trip over most: the threshold applies to the appraised market value confirmed by an accredited valuer, not to the sum written into the sale contract. Paying $150,000 and receiving an appraisal of $130,000 is an entirely realistic outcome — and then there are no grounds for the permit.

An appraisal takes two to five working days and costs roughly $100–300. It is worth ordering before the deal rather than after.

Requirements for the property

The property must be registered with the Public Registry, be non-agricultural in designation, and remain in your ownership for as long as the permit is valid. Selling it removes the grounds.

Term, renewal and family

This is a temporary residence permit, normally issued for one year and renewed annually — each round repeats the procedure, the fee and the checks. The permit extends to a spouse and minor children on proof of family status.

Fees and processing times

You choose the speed when you apply: 300 GEL for 30 days, 450 GEL for 20 days, 600 GEL for 10 days. The residence card is charged separately, at around $20–50. Applications are filed at the Public Service Hall or through the government services portal.

What this permit is not

It is not citizenship. Georgian citizenship is a separate and much longer route with examinations in language, history and the basics of law; those examinations have nothing to do with buying property, and this is where the confusion usually starts.

It also does not require you to live in the country — but it does not override tax-residency rules either, which are assessed separately on days present and other criteria.