Three things that catch people out
The 1% tax does not apply to rent
Georgia's 1% small business status is widely written about, and it is real, but it covers business turnover. Rental income is specifically excluded, along with dividends, interest, royalties and capital gains. You cannot let an apartment at 1%. Residential rent has its own flat 5% regime, charged on gross receipts with nothing deductible.
Property tax depends on your income, not the flat
This is unusual and it surprises most buyers. If your household's worldwide income for the previous year is under 40,000 GEL, the annual property tax is zero no matter how valuable the property is. Above that, the rate is a percentage of the property's market value, and your municipality sets the exact figure inside the band.
The residence permit threshold went up in March 2026
It is now 150,000 USD, raised from 100,000. A great deal of published guidance still quotes the old number, so it is worth checking the date on anything you read, including this page. The figure that counts is an accredited appraiser's valuation rather than what you paid, and several properties can be combined to reach it.
Where these numbers come from
Every figure the calculator uses, with the date we last checked it. Reviewed 2026-08-11.
| Figure | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase or transfer taxGeorgia levies no stamp duty and no purchase or transfer tax on residential property. Round trip costs are among the lowest in the region. | 2026-08-11 | Global Property Guide |
| Public Registry feeCharged per transaction, not as a percentage. The lower figure is standard service, the higher is same day. | 2026-08-11 | National Agency of Public Registry |
| Notary feeOptional. A notary is not required to register a sale, but most foreign buyers use one for authentication and translation. Value based scales apply if the whole transaction runs through a notary. | 2026-08-11 | Global Property Guide |
| Agent commissionNegotiable, and often paid by the seller on resale stock. Assume you pay it unless your agreement says otherwise. | 2026-08-11 | Global Property Guide |
| Currency conversionApplied to the purchase price when moving funds into Georgia. Choosing a specialist over a high street bank is usually the single largest saving on the whole transaction. | 2026-08-11 | Wise rate comparison |
| Annual property taxPercentage of the property's market value, banded by the household's total worldwide income for the previous year. Your municipality sets the exact rate inside the band, so the calculator shows a range. | 2026-08-11 | IBCCS Tax, Georgia property tax guide |
| Rental income taxFlat 5% of gross rent, with no expenses deductible. Applies to residential property let to an individual, including short lets. | 2026-08-11 | ExpatHub Georgia |
| Rental tax, standard regimeStandard personal income tax, which applies when you have not registered the 5% residential regime with the tax authority. Expenses are deductible, so it can win when running costs are high, but registering for the 5% regime is the usual choice. | 2026-08-11 | PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries |
| 1% small business statusGeorgia's 1% small business status applies to business turnover. Rental income, capital gains, interest, dividends and royalties are all excluded from it. You cannot let an apartment at 1%. | 2026-08-11 | Andersen in Georgia, 1% regime |
| Residence permit thresholdRaised from USD 100,000 on 1 March 2026. A lot of published guidance still quotes the old figure. Value must be confirmed by a certified assessor from an accredited body, and can be met with one property or several combined. | 2026-08-11 | Erickson Immigration Group |
These are estimates to help you plan, not tax advice. Rates change by legislation and municipalities set their own figures inside the property tax bands, so confirm anything you are relying on with a Georgian accountant before you commit.
Taxes and residency, answered
What taxes do I pay when buying?
None. Georgia has no purchase tax and no stamp duty. The only state cost is the NAPR registration fee, roughly 50 to 200 GEL depending on processing speed.
What is the annual property tax?
It is linked to household income. Households with worldwide income under 40,000 GEL per year are exempt. Above that, municipalities set rates between 0.05 and 1 percent of the property's market value.
How is rental income taxed?
Individuals who register with the tax authority pay a flat 5 percent on residential rental income. Without registration the standard 20 percent personal income tax applies, so registering is almost always worth it.
Is there capital gains tax when I sell?
Not if you have owned the property for more than two years. If you sell within two years, the gain is taxed at 5 percent. Rules can change, so confirm with a Georgian accountant before selling.
Can I get residency by buying property?
Yes. Residential property with an appraised market value of at least 150,000 USD makes you eligible to apply for a short-term residence permit, renewable while you own the property. The threshold rose from 100,000 to 150,000 USD on 1 March 2026; purchases registered before that date are assessed at the old figure. Valuation is by an accredited appraiser, not the purchase price, and you can combine several properties to reach it. Spouses and children can apply with you.
What is the investment residence permit?
A separate route for investments of 300,000 USD or more, which can lead to permanent residency after holding the investment for five years. It suits larger portfolios rather than single-apartment buyers.
Is the residence permit automatic once I buy?
No. The Public Service Development Agency reviews every application and can refuse. Approval rates are good for straightforward cases, but if residency is the main reason for your purchase, confirm current requirements before committing.
Next steps
Once the numbers work, the next question is whether a specific property is priced fairly and whether the seller actually owns it.