Georgia Residence Permit When Buying a Hotel (2026)

A hotel buyer in Georgia can obtain a residence permit. The conditions depend on the amount and on the deal structure. This guide summarizes the rules from the Public Service Development Agency (SDA) as of October 2026. It is for information only and has not yet been reviewed by a lawyer.

In brief

• Real estate worth more than $150,000 qualifies for a short-term residence permit. The threshold rose from $100,000 on 1 March 2026.
• Investments above $300,000 qualify for an investment residence permit. This can be real estate or a business.
• A hotel building is non-agricultural real estate. It can therefore meet both thresholds.
• Buying the building and buying company shares are different routes. Their conditions differ.

Which residence permits are available

A hotel buyer can consider three types of permit. The first is a short-term permit for real estate. The second is an investment permit. The third is an indefinite permit, which becomes available after five years.

Short-term permit for real estate

• You need non-agricultural real estate.
• Its market value must exceed $150,000, in the equivalent amount of lari.
• An appraiser accredited in Georgia confirms the value in a report. The purchase price alone does not prove it.
• Legal reviews report that several properties can be combined to reach the threshold.
• The same reviews report that owners who bought before 1 March 2026 renew under the old terms.

Investment residence permit

The threshold is more than $300,000. There are two routes.

Real estate route. You need non-agricultural real estate worth more than $300,000 at market value. You need an appraiser's report and a document proving ownership.

Business route. You need an investment of at least $300,000 in a Georgian company. A certified auditor's report confirms it.

SDA lists annual turnover requirements for investment-based permits. They are $50,000 in year one, $100,000 in year two, and $120,000 in years three to five. Legal reviews apply these to the business route. The SDA page states the condition in general terms. Ask a lawyer whether it applies to your deal.

What this means when buying an operating hotel

• Buying the building and land. The building is registered in the buyer's name. The real estate route fits if you have a valuation and proof of ownership.
• Buying shares of the owner company. The building stays the property of the company. The real estate route may then not apply. You may need the business route, with an audit and turnover.
• Hotel turnover. An operating hotel already runs a business. A lawyer must check whether its turnover meets the SDA conditions, using the documents.

Choose the deal structure before you sign the contract. It affects both the residence permit and taxes.

Documents, fees and timing

SDA lists these documents:

• an application in the approved form;
• a copy of the passport and proof of lawful stay;
• an auditor's report on the investment, or an ownership document with a valuation;
• a color photo;
• proof of payment of the fee.

A spouse, minor children and dependants can apply together with you. They need documents that prove the family relationship.

The fee depends on the review time:

• GEL 300 for 30 days;
• GEL 450 for 20 days;
• GEL 600 for 10 days.

Indefinite residence permit

SDA states that an indefinite permit is available after five years of holding the investment permit. The conditions must continue to be met. We found details for the real estate route mostly in secondary sources. Verify them before the deal.

Risks and limits

• A residence permit does not give citizenship.
• A state authority makes the decision. There is no guaranteed result.
• The rules change. The real estate threshold rose in 2026. Check the SDA website on the day you apply.
• Banks usually ask you to confirm the origin of funds for transfers. Prepare the documents in advance.

What to check before the deal

1. The land category. It must not be agricultural.
2. An accredited appraiser and a market value report.
3. The deal structure: buying the building or buying shares.
4. The current SDA conditions on the day of application.
5. Taxes and VAT for the chosen structure. This is a separate question.