Georgia (GE)
Caucasus gateway with long visa-free stays for many nationalities, low business taxes, mountain-and-wine culture, and a fast-changing 2026 work-permit environment.
Country Profile
Everything you need to know before you arrive.
Caucasus gateway with long visa-free stays for many nationalities, low business taxes, mountain-and-wine culture, and a fast-changing 2026 work-permit environment.
Climate
March to May is mild in Tbilisi, rainy in western Georgia, and still snowy in high mountains. Good season for housing search before summer heat.
June to August is hot in Tbilisi, humid on the Black Sea coast, and pleasant in highland areas such as Kazbegi, Svaneti, and Racha.
September to November is grape harvest season, often the best weather for travel, with cooler nights and clear mountain views.
December to February is cold in eastern Georgia, wet on the coast, and snowy in ski areas such as Gudauri, Bakuriani, and Svaneti.
Demographics
Religion
Social Culture & Etiquette
Warm and personal. Handshakes are common, friends may kiss on the cheek, and hospitality can feel intense to newcomers.
Business meetings are usually punctual, but social plans can be flexible. Confirm appointments the day before.
Smart-casual in Tbilisi offices and restaurants. Dress modestly in churches and monasteries; women may be asked to cover hair and shoulders.
- ✕ Calling Georgia Russian
- ✕ Treating Abkhazia or South Ossetia casually as separate tourist destinations
- ✕ Disrespecting churches or icons
- ✕ Refusing every toast at a supra without explanation
- ✕ Assuming everyone speaks Russian
- ✓ Hospitality is central and guests may be pressed to eat and drink
- ✓ Family networks matter strongly
- ✓ Direct bureaucracy can coexist with informal personal referrals
- ✓ Tipping is appreciated but not as rule-bound as in the US
- ✓ Political discussions can become intense
🍽️ Traditional Food & Drink
Cheese-filled bread; Adjarian khachapuri with egg and butter is the famous boat-shaped version.
Soup dumplings usually filled with spiced meat, mushrooms, potatoes, or cheese.
Rich walnut, beef, and spice stew often associated with western Georgian cuisine.
Bean stew served with cornbread, pickles, herbs, and mchadi.
Vegetable and walnut spreads served cold, usually with pomegranate seeds.
Georgian grilled skewered meat, common at supra feasts and countryside meals.
Amber, red, and white wines made in clay vessels; Georgia has an 8,000-year wine tradition.
Strong grape pomace spirit offered at feasts; drink carefully.
Famous naturally carbonated mineral water from the Borjomi region.
Flavoured soda traditionally served from fountains, especially in Tbilisi.
📍 Tourist Highlights
Sulphur baths, Narikala Fortress, balconies, churches, wine bars, and dense urban life.
Mountain scenery, Gergeti Trinity Church, hiking, and views of Mount Kazbek.
Vineyards, monasteries, qvevri wine cellars, and harvest-season travel.
Black Sea promenade, humid subtropical climate, casinos, new towers, and beach life.
UNESCO-listed mountain villages, medieval towers, and serious trekking routes.
Ancient capital with Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery.
📖 Brief History
Georgia is one of the oldest Christian countries and has long sat between Europe, Asia, Russia, Persia, and the Ottoman world. Modern Georgia regained independence in 1991, reformed rapidly after 2003, built unusually efficient public services, and remains shaped by unresolved occupation issues in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. For expats, the practical story is a mix of warm hospitality, easy company registration, strong digital public halls, and a 2026 shift toward stricter labour migration compliance.