Planning a workation in Batumi? Or a business trip to Tbilisi or Kutaisi? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in Georgia, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Tbilisi
Telephone code
+995
Official language
Georgian
Currency
Georgian Lari (GEL)
Time zone
UTC+4
Tax compliance
Georgia has signed multiple bilateral tax treaties to prevent double taxation and encourage foreign investment, available here. Despite the existence of many tax treaties, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in Georgia, whether for a workation or a business trip. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in the destination country, the employer may be required to register the company locally, allocate profits to the local business (branch), and file corporate taxes, leading to substantial administrative burdens.
To avoid this scenario, here are some key strategies:
If your employees are traveling for a workation, they should refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during the trip. Additionally, they should avoid visiting clients or any office, including the employer's local office in the destination country. Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risk for the employer related to permanent establishment.
If your employees travel for business, it may be impossible to refrain from the activities above. In this case, please make sure to inform your (tax) compliance department of this matter. If you and your organization are a WorkFlex user, this topic is covered through the WorkFlex platform.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to Georgia are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards. See the recent information on minimum wage requirements here.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to Georgia, here's a quick overview:
- Visa-Free Entry: Available for many nationalities
- Digital Nomad Visa: Not available
- E-visa: Available for eligible nationalities
- ETA: Not available
- Visa on Arrival: Available for some nationalities
- Non-Digital Visa: Required for nationalities not eligible for other options
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
For those planning business trips to Georgia:
- Visa-Free Entry: Available for many nationalities
- E-visa: Available for eligible nationalities
- Non-Digital Visa: Required for some nationalities
- Visa on Arrival: Available for some nationalities
- Visa-Free Entry: Available for many nationalities
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in Georgia work from Monday to Friday, with a standard workweek consisting of 40 hours. The typical workday usually starts between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM and ends between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, including a lunch break of about 1 hour.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
- January 1-2: New Year's Days
- January 7: Christmas Day (Orthodox)
- January 19: Epiphany (Orthodox)
- March 3: Mother's Day
- March 8: International Women's Day
- April 9: National Unity Day
- Orthodox Easter Sunday and Monday (date varies)
- May 9: Victory Day
- May 12: Saint Andrew the First-Called Day
- May 17: Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents
- May 26: Independence Day
- August 28: Saint Mary's Day
- October 14: Svetitskhovloba (Mtskhetoba)
- November 23: Saint George's Day
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. Georgia has implemented The Law of Georgia On Personal Data Protection. Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized as moderate. That means the legal framework provides adequate data protection but may lack comprehensive scope, enforcement, or detail. While key areas are covered, certain sectors or practices remain less regulated, learn more about it here.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Travel health insurance
When traveling to Georgia for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Protests and Demonstrations
Mass protests, with periodic violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces, are taking place in Tbilisi and other major cities in Georgia. These demonstrations are particularly expected to intensify around the presidential elections on December 14, 2024.
Recommendations:
- Stay informed via local, international, and social media updates.
- Avoid traveling near the parliament building unless absolutely necessary. Choose accommodations away from protest-prone areas.
- Refrain from participating in or staying near demonstrations and large gatherings.
- Follow the instructions of local security forces.
- Register or update your details in the German Federal Foreign Office’s crisis preparedness list.
- Refer to the global security advisory for further guidance.
Domestic political situation
South Ossetia and Abkhazia:
These regions are outside the control of the Georgian government, with Russian troops stationed in these territories and along their administrative borders.
Key points:
- The situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia is currently stable but unpredictable. Monitor local media closely for updates.
- Rescue operations and consular protection in these regions are not assured due to lack of access.
- Georgia's Law on Occupied Territories restricts travel and activities in these areas. Violations may result in fines or imprisonment of up to five years.
- Entering/exiting these territories from Russia or vice versa is considered illegal border crossing by Georgian authorities and may lead to denial of future entry into Georgia.
Recommendations:
- Do not travel to or attempt to exit Georgia through South Ossetia or Abkhazia.
- Consult with the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality before planning any travel to these regions.
- Exercise caution near the administrative borders, where landmines and unexploded ordnance may still pose risks.
Other regions:
- Major roads near South Ossetia and Abkhazia are typically safe for travel.
- At the David Gareji Monastery complex near the border with Azerbaijan, expect increased security presence from both countries..
Crime
Georgia has a relatively low crime rate, but petty crimes like pickpocketing and purse snatching can occur in tourist-heavy areas. Violent crimes, including carjackings or assaults, are rare.
Precautions:
- Avoid remote or poorly lit areas, especially after dark.
- Securely store essential documents (e.g., ID, driver’s license) and keep electronic copies for emergencies.
- Carry minimal cash and use cashless payment methods whenever possible. Avoid wearing conspicuous jewelry or carrying valuables.
- Stay vigilant in crowded places such as airports, train stations, and public transport hubs, ensuring your belongings are secured.
- Do not resist in the event of a robbery.
- Be cautious of suspicious emails, calls, or offers. Verify their authenticity before taking any action, and report concerns to the police if necessary.
Georgia has diverse climate zones.
Lowlands (Including Tbilisi):
- Hot summers (25-35°C/77-95°F)
- Mild winters (0-10°C/32-50°F)
- Spring and autumn are pleasant
- Occasional rain throughout year
Black Sea Coast (Batumi):
- Subtropical climate
- Humid summers (20-30°C/68-86°F)
- Mild winters (5-15°C/41-59°F)
- High rainfall year-round
Mountain Regions:
- Cool summers
- Cold winters with snow
- Large temperature variations
- Alpine conditions in higher elevations
Airports
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)
- Location: Tbilisi
- When to use: Main international gateway, primary hub for most international flights
Kutaisi International Airport (KUT)
- Location: Kutaisi
- When to use: Secondary international airport, budget airlines hub
Batumi International Airport (BUS)
- Location: Batumi
- When to use: Black Sea coastal access, seasonal international flights
Train stations
Tbilisi Central
Main connections:
- Domestic routes to major cities
- International service to Armenia and Azerbaijan
- Local suburban trains
- When to use: Main railway hub for international and domestic travel
Batumi Station
Main connections:
- High-speed rail to Tbilisi
- Coastal services
- Regional connections
- When to use: Black Sea coast access, connections to Turkey
Kutaisi Station
Main connections:
- Services to/from Tbilisi
- Regional routes
- When to use: Access to western Georgia, historic sites
Ride-hailing services
- Bolt: Ride-hailing service
- Yandex.Taxi: Available in major cities
- Local taxi services
- Bus tracking apps
Public transportation
Metro system
Tbilisi Metro:
- Two lines covering major areas
- Affordable and efficient
- English signage available
- Regular service throughout day
Buses:
- Intercity buses connecting major cities
- Municipal buses in urban areas
- Minibuses (Marshrutkas) for local travel
- Modern fleet on main routes
Urban transport:
Tbilisi:
- Metro system
- City buses
- Cable car
- Minibuses
- Taxis
Other cities:
- Local bus networks
- Minibuses
- Taxi services