Most residency-by-investment programs start at half a million euros and come wrapped in lawyers, waiting lists, and political uncertainty. Georgia's property route starts at 150,000 USD, processes in weeks, and renews for as long as you keep the apartment. It is one of the most accessible property-linked residence permits in the world, and one of the least understood.

Here is how it actually works, who it fits, and where people get tripped up.

The two routes, side by side

Georgia offers two distinct permits tied to investment in real estate.

The short-term residence permit (the 150k route). Own residential immovable property in Georgia with a market value of at least 150,000 USD, confirmed by an accredited appraiser, and you become eligible to apply for a short-term residence permit. It is typically issued for one year and renewable while you continue to own the property. Your spouse and minor children can apply as family members on the strength of your ownership. Note that this threshold rose from 100,000 to 150,000 USD on 1 March 2026; property registered before that date is assessed against the old 100,000 USD figure.

The investment residence permit (the 300k route). Invest at least 300,000 USD in Georgia, real estate qualifies, and you can apply for an investment residence permit, initially valid for five years. Hold the investment and meet the conditions, and it opens a path to permanent residency. This route suits buyers assembling a portfolio rather than a single apartment.

For most readers, the 150k route is the relevant one, so the rest of this article focuses there.

What qualifies, precisely

The requirements sound simple and mostly are, but each word does work:

  • Residential immovable property. The permit rules target residential real estate; commercial units follow different logic under the investment route.
  • Market value, not purchase price. An accredited Georgian appraiser values the property at application time. This cuts both ways: a property bought for 130,000 USD that appraises at 150,000 today qualifies, and a property bought for 150,000 in a falling market might not.
  • Ownership, registered at NAPR in your name. The registry extract is the core document. Multiple properties can be combined to reach the threshold, which matters in practice: two Batumi units of 80,000 USD each clear the bar together.

The application, step by step

  1. Buy and register the property. The purchase itself is fast and open to foreigners; the mechanics are covered in our buyer guide.