Tbilisi Acclimation Playbook
8 steps to get settled | 0 of 8 complete
🇬🇪Georgia GuidePre-Arrival
Everything to sort before you board the plane to Georgia
Visa and entry requirements
US passport holders can enter Georgia WITHOUT a visa for stays up to one full year (365 days) — one of the most generous visa-free policies in the world. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date. No specific accommodation bookings or return flight are required at entry, although having them available is recommended. As of May 2025, Georgia tightened visa rules for 17 countries, but the US is NOT among them — US citizens are unaffected.
The 'Remotely from Georgia' program
Georgia offers an official 'Remotely from Georgia' programme for digital nomads from approximately 95 countries. The application is completely online (no embassy visit needed), processing takes about 10 business days, and the application fee is FREE. You must prove either $2,000/month in income OR $24,000 in savings. You must work as a freelancer for clients outside Georgia, work remotely for a company registered outside Georgia, or own a business that functions remotely. This program allows you and your family to stay for one year.
CRITICAL: New March 2026 work permit regulation
As of March 1, 2026, a new 'Right to Labour Activity' permit is MANDATORY for most foreign nationals without permanent residence who want to work, freelance, or run a business in Georgia. This includes Individual Entrepreneurs (IEs) and freelancers. The process has two stages: first, obtain a 'Right to Labour/Entrepreneurial Activity' permit from the Ministry (takes up to 30 calendar days), then apply for a D1 immigration visa or work residence permit. Penalties for non-compliance are severe: 2,000 GEL fine for first offense (for both worker and employer), doubling for second offense, tripling thereafter. Those registered before March 1, 2026 have a transition period until January 1, 2027 to regularize their status.
Flights — no direct routes from the US
There are no direct flights from the US to Tbilisi (TBS). All routes require at least one connection. The most common hubs are Istanbul (IST) via Turkish Airlines (the most popular option), Frankfurt (FRA) or Munich (MUC) via Lufthansa, and Georgian Airways also serves the route. Total travel time from the US is 15-20 hours. Round-trip pricing from the East Coast (NYC/ATL) typically runs $535-$800+, with deals sometimes spotted as low as $288 one-way from Atlanta. June is peak season with roughly a 13% price increase.
Get an eSIM or plan your SIM card purchase
Buy an eSIM from Airalo, Holafly, or Nomad eSIM before you fly for immediate connectivity on landing. Alternatively, SIM cards are available at the airport arrival hall from all three Georgian operators. Magticom (Magti) is recommended for the best coverage — their unlimited 30-day data plan costs just 32 GEL ($11.85). A Magti SIM card itself costs 2-10 GEL ($0.75-$3.70). Georgia also has Silknet (good coverage, competitive pricing) and Cellfie (cheapest but worst coverage outside Tbilisi).
Airalo
eSIM for 190+ countries
Pack for a continental climate
Tbilisi has hot summers (30°C/86°F in July-August) and cold winters (down to -2°C/28°F in January). Spring and fall are ideal but variable — pack layers, as temperature swings of 15°C in a single day are common. For summer, bring light clothes and be prepared for intense heat. For winter, bring a warm coat and boots. An umbrella is essential for May, which is the rainiest month (117mm). Bring a European Type C/F power adapter (round two-pin). Voltage is 220V/50Hz — US appliances with non-dual-voltage power supplies will need a converter, but laptops and phone chargers are typically fine with just an adapter.
Arrange travel insurance
Private healthcare in Tbilisi is reasonably priced (a basic checkup costs about $140) but you should still carry travel/health insurance. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance (approximately USD 45/month) and World Nomads are popular in the nomad community and accepted at most private facilities in Tbilisi, including American Medical Centers and American Hospital Tbilisi. Local Georgian health insurance is also available from about 100-200 GEL ($37-$74) per month.
SafetyWing
Travel & medical insurance for nomads