Buy Property in Georgia: Tbilisi, Batumi and How Foreigners Buy

Most listings are apartments, with houses and land in suburbs and rural areas. Many apartments are in new developments sold in stages: "black frame" (bare concrete), "white frame" (plastered with basic utilities) or fully finished. Check which stage is included in the price and what repairs you need to budget.

For off-plan purchases, verify the developer's permits, project registration and payment schedule. Check building technical condition on older stock, particularly in Tbilisi's historic quarters. See our cheap properties in Georgia and homes under €100k pages for lower-priced options.

Foreigners can own buildings and non-agricultural land in Georgia on largely the same basis as citizens. Agricultural land cannot be owned by foreigners, so check the land category carefully.

1. Choose the property and agree the price. Negotiate and confirm what is included.
2. Verify the title. Request a registry extract from the National Agency of Public Registry and check for liens.
3. Sign a preliminary agreement and pay a deposit.
4. Sign the sale contract. It can be notarised or concluded at a Public Service Hall.
5. Register ownership. Registration is fast and usually completed within days for a fee.
6. Transfer utilities and pay the balance.

Our Georgia buying guide explains each step.

Georgia's costs are low by international standards.

Georgian banks lend mainly to residents with local income, and loans to non-residents are limited, with higher rates than in Western Europe. Foreign-currency lending has restrictions. Many foreign buyers pay cash or use developer instalment plans, which are common on new builds. See our Georgia financing guide and model costs with the mortgage calculator.

Many nationalities can stay in Georgia visa-free for a year. A residence permit tied to property purchase above a minimum value has been available, and you may also qualify via business or work. Rules change, so confirm the current property-based threshold and conditions with a Georgian lawyer or the Public Service Development Agency.

Pros

• Low taxes and low transaction costs
• Open to foreign buyers of apartments and houses
• Long visa-free stays for many nationalities
• Fast, digital registration

Cons

• Political and regional risk
• Developer delivery risk on off-plan purchases
• Limited mortgage finance for foreigners
• Currency fluctuations versus the lari

Short-term rental demand is concentrated in Tbilisi's old town and Batumi's seafront, while long-term tenants include expatriates, students and professionals. Rental income is taxed at modest rates for individuals, but you should confirm the current rules and register properly if you are non-resident.

Holding costs are low: annual property tax is modest and utilities are cheap. The real risks are developer delivery and construction quality. Visit the site, check the permits and use an independent technical inspector for finishing, windows, waterproofing and elevators before accepting handover. Keep copies of all registry extracts and contracts for future sales.

See the Georgia market analysis for investor-level context or contact us if you want help shortlisting.