14 January 2025
Georgian Passport: Rights, Duties, and Privileges
In this article, we will discuss the benefits of Georgian citizenship, as well as the requirements for obtaining it in 2025
- Nika GogiashviliLawer
According to the Henley & Partners ranking published in January 2025, the Georgian passport is ranked 44th. Georgia has been part of the passport ranking since 2011, when it held the 74th place. In 2015, the country reached its lowest ranking at 79th place. However, its current position marks the highest ranking in the country’s history.
The Georgian passport serves as proof of citizenship abroad and is the primary document for international travel. Within the country, a citizen's identity is verified through an identification card (piradoba), which is used in daily life.
The Georgian passport serves as proof of citizenship abroad and is the primary document for international travel. Within the country, a citizen's identity is verified through an identification card (piradoba), which is used in daily life.
Let’s take a closer look at the rights and responsibilities that come with Georgian citizenship and how they differ from the status of a foreign resident in Georgia.
What Rights Does Georgian Citizenship Provide?
1.International Rights
1.International Rights
- Visa-free travel: Georgian citizens can visit 122 countries without a visa, including EU member states, Japan, and, more recently, China.
- Special visa privileges: Georgian citizens are eligible for long-term visas, such as a 10-year U.S. visa, as well as business visas.
2.Domestic Rights
2.1. Political Rights
2.1. Political Rights
- Right to vote and be elected: Georgian citizens can participate in elections at all levels, from local self-government to parliamentary and presidential elections.
- Right to hold public office: Only Georgian citizens can hold key government positions, including President, Prime Minister, Chairperson of the Parliament, and judges at all levels, including the Constitutional Court and the common courts of Georgia.
2.2 Access to Professions
Practice of the profession of lawyer: Only Georgian citizens can obtain attorney status.
Medical practice: The certification process for private medical practice is simplified for Georgian citizens.
Financial Sector: The process of obtaining positions in the management bodies of professional participants in the securities market, such as banks or brokerage companies, has been simplified for Georgian citizens.
Article: Attorneys at JUST Advisors
Practice of the profession of lawyer: Only Georgian citizens can obtain attorney status.
Medical practice: The certification process for private medical practice is simplified for Georgian citizens.
Financial Sector: The process of obtaining positions in the management bodies of professional participants in the securities market, such as banks or brokerage companies, has been simplified for Georgian citizens.
Article: Attorneys at JUST Advisors
2.3 Social Rights
National health insurance: Georgian citizens are entitled to national health insurance, covering basic medical services. (For detailed information on government healthcare programs, click here.)
Social protection: Citizens can receive assistance through social protection programs, including support for low-income families and disability benefits. (For more details on social benefits, click here.)
Pension benefits: Men shall be entitled to pension from the age of 65, while women shall be entitled to pension from the age of 60.
Article: Pensions in Georgia
National health insurance: Georgian citizens are entitled to national health insurance, covering basic medical services. (For detailed information on government healthcare programs, click here.)
Social protection: Citizens can receive assistance through social protection programs, including support for low-income families and disability benefits. (For more details on social benefits, click here.)
Pension benefits: Men shall be entitled to pension from the age of 65, while women shall be entitled to pension from the age of 60.
Article: Pensions in Georgia
2.4 Property Rights
There is only one key difference for non-citizens: the right to own agricultural land. Only Georgian citizens and companies where citizens hold a majority stake are allowed to own agricultural land.
Article: Legal Regulation of Land Turnover in Georgia
There is only one key difference for non-citizens: the right to own agricultural land. Only Georgian citizens and companies where citizens hold a majority stake are allowed to own agricultural land.
Article: Legal Regulation of Land Turnover in Georgia
2.5 Entrepreneurial Activity
Advantage: Georgian citizens benefit from simplified banking procedures, making the account verification and opening process faster.
Advantage: Georgian citizens benefit from simplified banking procedures, making the account verification and opening process faster.
2.6 Taxes
Advantage: When calculating income for property tax calculation purposes, foreign-sourced income of non-resident Georgian citizens is not taken into account.
Article: Property Tax in Georgia
Advantage: When calculating income for property tax calculation purposes, foreign-sourced income of non-resident Georgian citizens is not taken into account.
Article: Property Tax in Georgia
3.Responsibilities of Georgian Citizens
3.1.Military Service
Men aged from 18 to 27 are required to undergo military service.
Article: “Georgian Citizenship and Military Service: Legal Obligations of Georgian Citizens Holding Dual Citizenship”
3.1.Military Service
Men aged from 18 to 27 are required to undergo military service.
Article: “Georgian Citizenship and Military Service: Legal Obligations of Georgian Citizens Holding Dual Citizenship”
3.2 Pension Contributions
All employed citizens are required to participate in the funded pension system. Contributions amount to 6% of the salary (2% paid by the employer, 2% by the employee, and 2% by the government).
All employed citizens are required to participate in the funded pension system. Contributions amount to 6% of the salary (2% paid by the employer, 2% by the employee, and 2% by the government).
4.Obtaining Georgian Citizenship
- By birth: if at least one parent is a Georgian citizen at the time of birth.
- Naturalization: After 10 years of legal residence in the country and fulfillment of the required conditions (Only if previous citizenship is renounced).
- Simplified procedure: After 5 years of legal residence in the country, marriage to a Georgian citizen, and fulfillment of the required conditions Only if previous citizenship is renounced).
- Exceptional procedure: Granted by presidential decree for outstanding contributions to the state or in the national interest, provided the required requirements are met (previous citizenships may be retained).
Conclusion
Georgian citizenship offers a wide range of opportunities, including political rights, social benefits, and business advantages. However, it also comes with certain responsibilities, such as military service and participation in the pension system.
If you want to learn more about your rights or are considering obtaining citizenship, the JustAdvisors team is here to help!
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MARIA GUSEINOVA
Leading Manager of Commercial Department
Leading Manager of Commercial Department