Working in Georgia as a French National: Permits, Posting, Self-Employed Workers and Economy

The one-year visa exemption enjoyed by French nationals covers the stay, not the exercise of local employment. France Diplomatie specifies that a continuous stay of more than a year requires a long-stay visa, requested from a Georgian embassy or consulate or from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tbilisi, then a residence permit requested locally. For a business trip, the documents to provide include, besides the usual supporting documents (accommodation, funds, insurance), proof of a business or work link with an entity registered in Georgia: local employment contract, service contract with the French employer or extract from the companies register.

The Public Service Development Agency describes the work permit for “labour immigrants” registered with the competent ministry and for entrepreneurs. It requires a registration code, proof of employment or activity, monthly income of at least five times the subsistence minimum (or an equivalent bank balance) and employer turnover of at least 50,000 lari per foreigner employed, reduced to 35,000 lari for educational and medical establishments. The fees are 300 lari for processing in 30 days, 450 lari in 20 days and 600 lari in 10 days. The application is filed 40 calendar days before the legal stay expires and can be made online. The guide living in Georgia covers the entry formalities.

The IT permit is for registered immigrant workers in the IT sector, small entrepreneurs with specific activity codes (58.21, 58.29, 62.01 to 62.03, 62.09, 63.1 and 63.12), representatives of international IT companies and their family. It requires at least two years of experience in IT and pay of at least the equivalent of 25,000 US dollars a year, received at least twice at 30-day intervals. The fees range from 500 lari (30 days) to 750 lari (20 days) and 1,000 lari (10 days). The investment permit requires 300,000 US dollars of audited investment or real estate (excluding agricultural land) of higher value, with annual turnover thresholds of 50,000 dollars in the first year, 100,000 in the second and 120,000 from the third to the fifth year.

A short-term permit exists for owners of real estate (excluding agricultural land) worth more than the equivalent of 150,000 dollars; family reunification, study and the status of spouse of a Georgian citizen also have their income conditions, set as multiples of the subsistence minimum. The amounts may change: the Public Service Development Agency (+995 32 2 40 10 10) can advise on the thresholds in force.

The National Statistics Office (Geostat) publishes the reports “Average monthly earnings of employees” and “Median earnings by sector of activity”, which give salary levels by sector. The amounts can be read in these reports, and a candidate for a local post compares them with the offer received. The statutory minimum wage and the details of the employment contract fall under Georgian law: they should be confirmed with the competent ministry and the employer, no amount being repeated here without reading the official text.

For French executives, the most frequent practice combines a local contract, a posting contract or a service contract with the French employer, as France Diplomatie provides for business trips. The embassy’s Economic Service (49 Krtsanisi street, Tbilisi) and the Franco-Georgian Chamber of Commerce (61 Aghmashenebeli avenue) guide companies and candidates.

No social security agreement links France and Georgia. CLEISS describes the framework for posting outside an agreement: the employee remains affiliated to the compulsory French scheme, contributes in France as if working there, and remains exposed to contributions in the host country under local law. The posting lasts three years and is renewable once, or six years at most. For care received abroad, the employee sends their fund the paid invoices with form S 3125c: they are reimbursed up to what the same service would give in France. Daily allowances continue to be paid by the French fund, with a sick-leave notice sent within 48 hours; a work accident is reported to the employer within 24 hours. If the children move with the employee, French family benefits are no longer due.

CLEISS suggests, when care is costly, suitable supplementary health insurance. The local taxes and social contributions of a local employee are not repeated here: the rates and thresholds of the Georgian tax administration (Revenue Service) should be confirmed before signing. See the guide posted worker or expatriate and the page healthcare reimbursement in Georgia.

The Public Service Development Agency states that the work permit is also for entrepreneurs, with monthly income of at least five times the subsistence minimum or an equivalent bank balance. The IT permit suits small entrepreneurs with IT activity codes, with the pay thresholds already cited. The tax administration organises information meetings for micro-businesses, small businesses and newly registered flat-rate taxpayers: the applicable status should be chosen with an adviser before registration.

Remote work for a foreign employer has no dedicated permit in the Agency’s list; the IT permit, the short-term permit for owners and the one-year visa-free stay are the routes to examine depending on the profile. Digital nomads will find cover pointers in the guide digital nomad insurance.

France Diplomatie describes an economy with strong growth. Foreign trade is structurally in deficit but diversified: the European Union is the first partner, ahead of Turkey and Russia. The country aims to make the most of its position as a transit route for Caspian hydrocarbons, and the influx of Russian tourists and residents, estimated at about 100,000 people, has supported activity. The human development index is high, with Georgia ranking in the top third worldwide.

Relations with France are modest but growing: France is a notable supplier and customer of Georgia, with French exports clearly higher than imports. French investments concern transport, agri-food, industrial equipment and services. The currency is the lari; on 13 October 2026, the National Bank of Georgia showed 1 euro for 2.9066 lari. International health insurance remains necessary for anyone working on site: see expat health insurance.