Permanent Residence Permit
Under the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, a permanent residence permit is issued to a minor child of a Georgian citizen, a parent of a minor Georgian citizen, the spouse of a Georgian citizen who has lived in Georgia for the last 5 years on the spouse's residence permit, and a foreign national who has lived in Georgia for the last 10 years on temporary residence permits. Time spent studying, in medical treatment or working at diplomatic missions does not count towards the 10 years (Article 15). The application comes with a passport copy, proof of legal income in Georgia, a photo and the payment receipt. Depending on the ground, a document confirming kinship with the Georgian citizen and a document on lawful stay, or a copy of the residence permit held for the last 5 or 10 years, are added (Article 10 of the rules as amended by Resolution No 416).
Georgian Citizenship
Georgian citizenship can be obtained by birth or by naturalisation.
By Birth
A child acquires Georgian citizenship automatically if at least one parent is a Georgian citizen. Minors with unidentifiable parents residing in Georgia are also treated as Georgian citizens.
A minor who does not acquire citizenship by birth may obtain it through the standard procedure if one parent is a Georgian citizen or if the minor is adopted by Georgian citizens.
Naturalisation
Standard Naturalisation
Requirements:
- Continuous lawful residence in Georgia for at least 10 years before the date of application.
- Passing an exam in the Georgian language, history, and law.
- Demonstrating a meaningful connection to Georgia through employment, property ownership, or investment in a Georgian enterprise.
Simplified Naturalisation
Available to persons married to Georgian citizens. Requirements:
- Continuous residence in Georgia for at least 5 years before the date of application.
- Passing an exam in the Georgian language, history, and law.
Exceptional Naturalisation
Decided by the President of Georgia on the recommendation of the Ministry of Justice. Grounds:
- Special services rendered to Georgia or state interest.
- Significant contribution to Georgia's economic development through investment.
- Achievement in sport, science, or art, with continued involvement in Georgia.
- Connection to Georgia: ancestral ties, residence in or forced displacement from occupied territories, emigration due to political or socio-economic circumstances.
All applicants for exceptional citizenship must pass the Georgian language, law, and history exam.
Note: granting citizenship through the exceptional route does not automatically confer voting rights or eligibility for public office.
Restoration of Citizenship
Available to persons whose citizenship was terminated unlawfully, and to those who renounced it or lost it as a result of their parents' choice. The applicant must know the official language within the established limits and must not fall under the grounds for refusal in Article 16. These requirements do not apply where citizenship was terminated unlawfully (Article 18).
Dual Citizenship
Dual citizenship is allowed only in the cases provided for by the Organic Law: exceptional naturalisation and retention of citizenship with the state's consent (Article 3). A Georgian citizen who acquires foreign citizenship retains Georgian citizenship if they obtained the consent of the state of Georgia before acquiring the other citizenship. Retention is refused where it would go against state or public security interests. In other cases, acquiring foreign citizenship is a ground for losing Georgian citizenship (Articles 21 and 21-1).
What the law requires for naturalisation
The conditions for naturalisation are set by the Organic Law of Georgia on Georgian Citizenship:
- Ordinary procedure. Lawful residence in Georgia for the last 10 consecutive years up to the day of application, knowledge of the official language, history and basic law of Georgia within the established limits, and a job and/or real estate in Georgia. Doing business in Georgia or holding an interest or shares in a Georgian enterprise also qualifies (Article 12).
- Spouse of a Georgian citizen. A simplified procedure for a person married to a Georgian citizen who has continuously and lawfully resided in Georgia for the last 5 years. The language, history and law requirements still apply (Article 14).
- Exceptional procedure. The decision is made by the President of Georgia (Article 17).
What counts as continuous residence
Under Article 2 of the Organic Law, residence is continuous if the person spent a combined total of no more than 90 days outside Georgia in a year. A year means 365 consecutive days, or 366 in a leap year. Periods of up to two years abroad for education or treatment do not count towards this limit.
So for naturalisation, what matters is not only holding a residence permit but also how many days you spent abroad. Exit dates are worth checking against your passport stamps before applying.
Required Documents
- Completed application form.
- 3×4 photograph.
- Proof of service fee payment.
- For persons born abroad: copy of birth certificate.
- For minors: written consent from parents or legal representatives.
- Additional documents depending on the type of citizenship being sought.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted in person or through a representative to the Public Service Development Agency of Georgia, or to a Georgian diplomatic or consular office abroad. A decision is made within three months at most. After a refusal of naturalisation, an application on the same grounds can be filed again after 6 months (Article 26).
Citizenship and Tax Residency
Georgian citizenship does not automatically confer Georgian tax residency status. Tax residency is determined separately — based on the number of days spent in the country (183 days) or through High Net Worth Individual status.
More: Tax Residency in Georgia
Frequently asked questions
How many years do I need to live in Georgia for citizenship?
Under the ordinary procedure, 10 consecutive years of lawful residence before the application. A spouse of a Georgian citizen can obtain citizenship under a simplified procedure after 5 years of continuous lawful residence. In both cases you need to know the official language, history and basic law of Georgia.
What does continuous residence mean?
Residence in Georgia during which you spent no more than a combined 90 days outside the country in a year. Periods of up to two years abroad for education or treatment are not counted. This is the definition in Article 2 of the Organic Law on Georgian Citizenship.
Can I keep Georgian citizenship when acquiring a foreign one?
Yes, if you obtain the consent of the state of Georgia before acquiring the foreign citizenship. Consent is refused where retaining citizenship would go against state or public security interests. Without consent, acquiring foreign citizenship leads to the loss of Georgian citizenship.
How long does a citizenship application take?
No more than three months. If naturalisation is refused, an application on the same grounds can be filed again after 6 months. Applications go to the Public Service Development Agency or a Georgian consulate abroad.