How to buy an apartment in Georgia as a foreigner: 2026 step-by-step guide

Updated: November 2026

Who can buy property in Georgia

A citizen of any country can buy an apartment, house or commercial property — no residence permit, visa or local account required. The only restriction: foreigners cannot buy agricultural land. New-build apartments in Tbilisi and Batumi are not affected.

A passport is all you need for the deal. If you can't fly in, the purchase is completed under a notarised power of attorney — this is how most of our overseas clients buy.

Step 1. Define your goal and budget

Your goal drives the choice of district and project. To live in, infrastructure, schools and transport matter. To rent out, demand matters: it is year-round in Tbilisi and seasonal in Batumi, peaking in summer. If you want a residence permit, the property's market value must exceed $150,000.

Step 2. Choose a project and check the developer

The main risk with an off-plan purchase is a developer who doesn't finish the building. Before reserving, check:

• how many buildings the developer has completed and what condition they are in;
• the building permit and construction stage — ideally see the site in person or on video;
• the Public Registry extract for the land plot: owner, encumbrances, mortgages;
• installment terms and what happens if completion is delayed — this must be in the contract.

Step 3. Reservation and contract

The apartment is secured with a small reservation, followed by a sale agreement or preliminary agreement with a payment schedule. The contract is drawn up in Georgian; ask for a translation and check the completion date, finish, area and the developer's penalties for delays.

Step 4. Payment

You can pay by bank transfer from abroad or from a Georgian bank account — foreigners can open one with a passport. Many developers offer interest-free installments; some projects can also be bought with a mortgage.

Step 5. Registering ownership

Ownership arises only after registration with the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR). Registration is done via the Public Service Hall; the standard term is up to 4 business days, with faster options for an extra fee. Georgia has no property purchase tax — only the registration fee is paid.

For apartments in buildings under construction, the contract is registered first, and the apartment itself after the building is commissioned.

How long it takes

From choosing an apartment to registration usually takes 2–4 weeks. Registration itself takes from one to several business days.

FAQ

Sources:

• NAPR — Public Registry of Georgia
• Global Property Guide — buying guide Georgia