Legal and Economic News in Georgia

Do foreigners now need a work permit to work in Georgia?

Yes. From March 1, 2026, most foreign nationals without a permanent residence permit must obtain a Right to Labour Activity permit before starting any paid work, freelance activity, or business operation in Georgia. This requirement applies regardless of whether the foreigner already holds a valid visa or temporary residence permit. The permit is issued by the State Employment Promotion Agency under the Law on Labour Migration of Georgia.

Who is exempt from Georgia's new work permit requirement?

Exemptions under the Law on Labour Migration of Georgia apply to recognized refugees, asylum seekers, employees of accredited diplomatic missions and international organizations, accredited foreign journalists, and holders of valid investment residence permits or permanent residence permits. Foreign nationals performing work entirely remotely with no Georgian economic footprint — no local clients, no Georgian business registration — may also fall outside the scope of the requirement, though this distinction is pending full regulatory clarification.

How do I apply for a work permit in Georgia as a self-employed foreigner or individual entrepreneur?

Self-employed foreigners apply independently through the electronic Labour Migration portal at www.labourmigration.moh.gov.ge. The application requires personal and professional documentation, a business plan or proof of existing business activity, and payment of the service fee. Applicants must also complete a mandatory video interview with the State Employment Promotion Agency. The standard processing time is 30 calendar days; an expedited 10-working-day track is available at double the fee.

What are the fines for working in Georgia without a work permit?

Under the Law on Labour Migration of Georgia, both the foreign worker and the employing company face fines of 2,000 GEL for a first offence. Penalties increase for repeated violations within a 12-month period, doubling on the second offence and tripling thereafter. The same fines apply to self-employed foreigners operating without the required permit.

What is the deadline for foreigners already working in Georgia to get a work permit?

Foreign nationals who were registered in Georgia's Labour Migration system with active status as of March 1, 2026 have until January 1, 2027 to regularize their status by obtaining the Right to Labour Activity permit and corresponding residence documentation. Self-employed foreigners already conducting business as of March 1, 2026 face enforcement from May 1, 2026 onwards under the transitional provisions of Government Decree №70.

Does a valid Georgian residence permit automatically allow a foreigner to work?

No. Under the rules effective March 1, 2026, holding a residence permit does not automatically confer the right to work or conduct business. A separate Right to Labour Activity permit is required unless the foreigner holds a permanent or investment residence permit. Simply having a temporary residence permit is no longer a sufficient legal basis for employment or entrepreneurial activity.

Can an employer hire a foreigner in Georgia without going through the local labor market test?

In most cases, employers must first post the vacancy on the national jobs portal for at least 10 working days to demonstrate that no suitable local candidate is available. However, the labor market test does not apply to companies holding International Company status under the Tax Code of Georgia, accredited academic institutions, or positions where the monthly salary exceeds 15,000 GEL and a relevant higher education degree is objectively required.

How can Legal.ge help me navigate Georgia's new work permit requirements?

Legal.ge connects individuals and employers with qualified Georgian lawyers specialising in immigration, labour law, and business registration. Whether you need help preparing a work permit application, assessing your exemption status, or ensuring your company complies with the Law on Labour Migration, you can browse verified specialist profiles and contact a lawyer directly through the platform.

Digital contracts and smart contracts intersect across the following dimensions: Taxonomic Classification: A smart contract is categorized as a subset of an electronic contract. It functions similarly to a traditional agreement, though executed in a comprehensively digitized format. Legal Nature: Smart contracts, analogous to other digital contracts, are encompassed within the legal definition of an electronic document. For a smart contract to constitute a legally binding agreement, it must fulfill the fundamental prerequisites of contract formation and validity (e.g., mutual consent of the parties and adequate terms)—requirements that programming code alone cannot substitute. Functional Overlap: Within the processes of concluding and executing a digital contract, a smart contract may be implemented as a technological utility (for example, as an automated payment mechanism for recurring transactions).

The legal regulation of the digital economy requires understanding the technological foundations driving the financial and business sectors. This analysis identifies four essential pillars for legal professionals: Big Data: Substantial volumes of heterogeneous digital data, facts, and unrestricted activities collected at high velocity. It is characterized by real-time processing through advanced analytical algorithms. Big Data Complex Ecosystem (BDCE): An IT infrastructure consisting of integrated systems for data collection, storage, and use. It unites data owners, cloud providers, and academic institutions into a unified infrastructure. Data Architecture: A component of the BDCE that defines how data is processed, stored, and integrated for organizational purposes. It serves as a conceptual model for data governance, lifecycle management, and security. FinTech and Big Personal Data: Financial Technology leverages Big Data, AI, and Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) for platform-based service delivery. This process generates "Big Personal Data"—personal information created or processed within these complex ecosystems.

In today's fast-moving digital economy, the lines between where we bank and where we shop, work, and live are becoming increasingly blurred. In Georgia, this evolution has reached a critical tipping point as the nation's two largest financial giants—TBC Group and Lion Finance Group PLC (formerly Bank of Georgia Group)—have successfully built sprawling "digital ecosystems" that touch almost every aspect of a citizen's daily life. From buying a car on MyAuto to managing a small business with Optimo, these platforms are no longer just apps; they have become the "gatekeepers" of the Georgian digital marketplace. While this integration offers undeniable convenience, it raises a profound structural question for our market: What happens when the people who hold our money also hold all of our data?

The involvement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can transcend the outcomes predetermined by a user; consequently, AI itself could be perceived as an author, given that modern AI possesses the capability to create works without human intervention. This theory is quite provocative, as it directly contradicts the standard definition of authorship, according to which an author is a natural person through whose intellectual-creative activity a work is produced. It is important to note that the primary-and perhaps only-advantage of machine authorship is that it aligns with the core logic of intellectual property rights, which dictates that the creator is the author.

Georgia raises the real estate residence permit threshold to USD 150,000, effective March 1, 2026. The 50% increase follows June 2025 legal amendments. Current USD 100,000 buyers must finalize purchases before the deadline. Existing permits remain renewable under old terms if ownership continues.

On June 26, 2025, Georgia passed amendments requiring mandatory work permits for foreign nationals starting March 1, 2026. The law addresses the gap between registered and actual foreign workers. Violations incur fines of 2,000 GEL. This shifts Georgia to a regulated migration system.

The Prosecutor's Office charged Aleksandre Elisashvili with attempted terrorism at Tbilisi City Court. Investigations revealed he broke into the building on Nov 29 and poured flammable liquid to start a fire. Court marshals neutralized and detained him after he offered armed resistance. He faces 10 to 15 years in prison. Prosecution has requested pre-trial detention.

A foreign citizen was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Tbilisi City Court for the illegal acquisition, possession, and facilitation of the sale of a large quantity of methadone. According to the Prosecutor's Office, the defendant placed the drugs in various locations for distribution.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Personal Data Protection Service will be liquidated from March 1, 2026, with their functions transferred to the State Audit Office. The Business Ombudsman's office will be abolished from January 1. The goal is to optimize state resources.

The Prosecutor's Office and State Security Service searched the homes of former top officials: Garibashvili, Liluashvili, Partskhaladze, and their associates. The operation spanned 22 locations, seizing electronics, documents, and large sums of cash. An investigation is ongoing.

Georgian police arrested 50 people, mostly drug dealers, in a nationwide operation. Large quantities of drugs were seized. The suspects face up to 20 years to life in prison.

The Prosecutor's Office charged 50 individuals, including foreigners, with drug crimes. According to the investigation, they illegally purchased, stored, and sold narcotics. Various types of drugs were seized. The defendants face up to 20 years to life in prison.

Former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili was questioned by the State Security Service, where he confessed to receiving illegal income over the years. He fully cooperated with the investigation. The agency is now considering charges and potential pre-trial measures.

Georgia signed an MoC with UAE's PRYPCO on Jan 13, 2026, to explore real estate tokenization. Minister Paata Salia and CEO Amira Sajwani signed the deal in Abu Dhabi. The partnership aims to modernize property rights and attract investment through digital asset regulation.

Генеральная Ассамблея Ассоциации адвокатов Грузии состоится 13–14 декабря 2025 года в выставочном центре Expo Georgia (проспект Акакия Церетели, 118, Тбилиси). В настоящем руководстве подробно изложены все вопросы, которые необходимо знать членам Ассоциации и заинтересованным сторонам для участия в этом важном демократическом процессе.

A memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Georgian Bar Association and the CEC. Signed by David Asatiani and Giorgi Kalandarishvili, the agreement focuses on raising awareness about electronic election technologies. The CEC will also provide technological support for the Association's upcoming corporate elections to ensure transparency, efficiency, and high professional standards.

27-year-old nurse Megi Bakradze died in Akhaltsikhe from a suspected anaphylactic reaction after an AstraZeneca vaccination. The MIA launched an investigation, but the family distrusts it and plans an alternative autopsy. The case raises questions about potential flaws in the vaccination process and subsequent medical response.