In Georgia, the ordinary tax residency rule for individuals requires spending at least 183 days within any 12 consecutive months in the country. However, if you prefer not to spend significant time in Georgia—or any single country—such as those who travel frequently and stay only a few weeks or months in each place, and you are not a Georgian citizen, the traditional residency rule may not apply. In this case, the only way to obtain Georgian tax residency is through the High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) Tax Residency Program. This program allows qualifying individuals to become tax residents without the need to meet the 183-day physical presence requirement, provided they meet the necessary HNWI criteria established by Georgian tax law.
What Are the Requirements to Qualify as a High-Net-Worth Individual for Georgian Tax Residency?
To qualify for Georgia’s High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) Tax Residency Program, you must meet one of the following sets of criteria:
- Own at least 3 million GEL in worldwide assets, have earned at least 25,000 GEL in Georgian-source income in the last year, and own at least 500,000 USD in assets within Georgia (note: the 500,000 USD Georgian assets are included in the 3 million GEL worldwide assets requirement).
- Own at least 3 million GEL in worldwide assets, hold a Georgian residence permit or citizenship, and own at least 500,000 USD in assets in Georgia (the 500,000 USD Georgian assets count toward the 3 million GEL worldwide assets).
- Earn at least 200,000 GEL annually for each of the past three years, have earned at least 25,000 GEL in Georgian-source income in the last year, and own at least 500,000 USD in Georgian assets.
- Earn at least 200,000 GEL annually for each of the past three years, hold a Georgian residence permit or citizenship, and own at least 500,000 USD in assets within Georgia.
Meeting any one of these combinations allows you to apply for Georgian tax residency under the HNWI program without the need to spend significant time physically present in the country.
How to Obtain a Residence Permit as Part of Georgia’s HNWI Tax Residency Program?
One of the easiest ways to obtain a Georgian residence permit is by owning real estate in Georgia valued at over 100,000 USD. Alternatively, you can register as an Individual Entrepreneur in Georgia and earn a minimum annual income of 50,000 GEL (approximately 17,000 Euros). Another option is to be employed by a Georgian company—which can include your own business—that has a turnover of at least 50,000 GEL per foreign employee and pays you at least a medium-level salary in Georgia.
In addition to these options, there are other ways to obtain a Georgian residence permit, making it accessible for individuals seeking tax residency without the need to spend significant time in the country.
What are the typical Examples of Georgian Assets That Qualify Toward the $500,000 Requirement for HNWI Tax Residency
Typical examples of qualifying Georgian assets for the High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) tax residency program include (but are not limited to):
- Funds held in Georgian bank accounts, including deposits
- Real estate property located in Georgia
- Movable assets registered/physically located in Georgia
- Shares in Georgian companies
- Stocks issued by Georgian companies
- Bonds issued by Georgian companies or the Georgian government
- Any combination of the above assets
- Other similar types of assets
These asset types help demonstrate sufficient economic ties to Georgia, which is essential for meeting one of the HNWI tax residency requirements (500k USD Georgian asset) without the need for significant physical presence.
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When Is the Georgian HNWI Tax Residency Certificate Most Beneficial?
The Georgian High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) tax residency program is particularly advantageous for individuals who are not considered tax residents in any other country. This generally means they spend less than six months in any single jurisdiction, do not maintain a permanent home available to them abroad, and otherwise do not meet tax residency criteria elsewhere. By qualifying under Georgia’s HNWI program, such individuals can obtain Georgian tax residency without the need to spend significant time in the country—an attractive solution for tax optimization and international banking, provided no other country has a valid claim to their tax residency.
Does Qualifying for Georgia’s HNWI Program Automatically Grant Tax Residency?
No—meeting the eligibility criteria for Georgia’s High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) program does not automatically make you a Georgian tax resident. To obtain tax residency status, you must formally apply for an HNWI Tax Residency Certificate from Georgia’s Ministry of Finance. Only once the certificate is issued will you be officially recognized as a Georgian tax resident under the HNWI program.
Does the HNWI Tax Residency Certificate in Georgia Need to Be Renewed Annually?
The High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) tax residency certificate in Georgia must be renewed annually to maintain your tax resident status in subsequent years. The certificate is valid for a specific tax year only, so to continue benefiting from Georgian tax residency under the HNWI program, you need to submit a new application every year to the Ministry of Finance.
Failure to renew the certificate annually means your Georgian tax residency status will not be extended beyond the current tax year.
How Long Does It Take to Obtain a Georgian HNWI Tax Residency Certificate for a Specific Tax Year?
The entire process typically takes 3–4 months on average. Preparing the necessary documentation—including consultations, tax analysis, registering as a taxpayer in Georgia, and collecting all required documents and proofs (including translation into Georgian and notarized approval)—takes approximately 1 to 1.5 months. Once submitted, the Georgian Revenue Service (GRS) typically takes 2 to 3 months on average to issue the certificate.
It is advisable to start the process early, but even if you apply late in the year, you may still obtain the certificate for that tax year. For example, if you apply in December, GRS may issue the certificate in the following year, but the certificate will be issued for the year of application.
What Is the Government Fee for Applying to Georgia’s HNWI Tax Residency Program?
There is no government fee for submitting an application for the High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) tax residency certificate in Georgia. However, you should expect to incur consulting fees if you choose to work with a local tax professional. These professionals (Such as Gela Barshovi) can assist with preparing the required documentation, advising on tax implications, ensuring compliance with local regulations, and representing you throughout the application process at the Georgian Revenue Service (GRS). Engaging a qualified local advisor can greatly increase your chances of successfully obtaining HNWI tax residency while minimizing potential tax risks, as part of a well-informed and structured application strategy.
Can a High Net Worth Individual Tax Residency Certificate Be Obtained for Prior Fiscal Years in Georgia?
No, the High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) tax residency certificate in Georgia cannot be issued retroactively for previous fiscal years. It is only granted for the current tax year upon successful application and approval.
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What Are the Approval Chances for Georgia’s HNWI Tax Residency When All Criteria Are Met?
If your documents are reviewed and confirmed by an experienced Georgian tax consultant as fully meeting the High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) criteria, the chances of approval from the Georgian Revenue Service (GRS) are very high. A thorough and accurate initial assessment is essential to ensure the application is complete, compliant, and submitted correctly—greatly increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.
When Is the Best Time to Start Planning for HNWI Tax Residency in Georgia?
Ideally, you should begin planning for Georgia’s High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) tax residency in the previous calendar year. For example, if you intend to obtain the HNWI certificate for 2026, it’s recommended to start the process in 2025 to ensure all requirements are met in time. That said, it is still possible to apply later—even as late as November of the year for which you’re seeking tax residency—provided you meet all the criteria.
How to Select a Reliable Local Specialist to Assist in Obtaining Georgia’s HNWI Tax Residency Certificate?
When choosing a local specialist to support your application for Georgia’s High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) tax residency certificate, it’s essential to prioritize both experience with HNWI programs and expertise in Georgian tax law. Assistance with the HNWI tax residency process goes beyond administrative support—it must include qualified tax analysis. Without proper evaluation, you risk incurring unnecessary costs for a status that may offer limited benefit or even create unintended tax exposure in Georgia. Although such risks are generally low, they become more relevant for applicants who earn substantial active income, such as from professional services.
Therefore, it is strongly recommended to work with a local professional who not only specializes in the HNWI tax residency program but also has a solid background in Georgian tax law. This combination of expertise will increase your chances of a successful application and ensure the program aligns with your broader tax planning goals.
Gela Barshovi is a highly experienced Georgian and international tax advisor, and the founder of TPsolution LLC, a respected accounting and consulting firm based in Georgia. He offers professional support for obtaining High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) tax residency in Georgia, personally guiding clients through every stage of the process—including initial tax analysis, document preparation, and strategic consultation.
For consultations or inquiries about the HNWI tax residency program, you can contact Gela directly at gela.barshovi@tpsolution.ge or fill out the contact form at https://tpsolution.ge/contact/.
More about the rule of High-Net-Worth-Individual program in Georgia you can read the FORBES Article of Gela Barshovi HERE.
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