How to Get Georgian Citizenship: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2026

General Provisions on Georgian Citizenship

Georgia adheres to the principle of single citizenship; however, legislation provides exceptions where a Georgian citizen may simultaneously be a citizen of another state. This is only possible in cases explicitly provided for in Articles 17 and 21¹ of the Law of Georgia “On Georgian Citizenship”. No one can be restricted from changing citizenship, provided it does not contradict the law or international agreements.

Acquisition of Georgian citizenship occurs by birth or through naturalization. Naturalization, in turn, happens through the granting of citizenship by the President of Georgia. There are various types of naturalization: ordinary, simplified, exceptional, and restoration of citizenship.

Main Ways to Obtain Citizenship of Georgia

Let’s consider the primary paths on how to get Georgian citizenship in 2026.

1. Georgian Citizenship by Birth

How to get Georgian citizenship by birth? Citizenship of Georgia by birth is acquired in the following cases:

• If, at the time of birth, one parent is a Georgian citizen.
• For persons born in Georgia as a result of in vitro fertilization (surrogacy), if neither of their parents’ countries of citizenship recognizes them as citizens.
• For children of stateless persons with status in Georgia, born in Georgia.
• For persons born in Georgia where one parent is a stateless person with status in Georgia, and the other parent is unknown.

It is important to note that Georgia does not apply “jus soli” (right of soil) in its pure form: birth on the country’s territory to foreign parents does not automatically grant citizenship unless there are additional conditions.

2. Ordinary Naturalization

This is the basic scenario for most foreigners without Georgian ancestry or marriage to a Georgian citizen. How to get Georgian citizenship for Russians without special grounds? The following requirements must be met:

• Continuous legal residence in Georgia for the last 10 years before the application date.
• Knowledge of the Georgian state language within established limits.
• Knowledge of Georgian history and basic law within established limits.
• Employment in Georgia, or ownership of immovable property, or engagement in entrepreneurial activity, or ownership of shares/stakes in a Georgian enterprise.

For stateless persons with status in Georgia, the continuous residence period is reduced to 5 years.

For language, history, and law exams, the result is valid for 1 year. The first attempt is free, subsequent attempts cost 40 GEL.

3. Simplified Naturalization

3.1. How to Get Georgian Citizenship Through Marriage

If you are married to a Georgian citizen, you can apply under a simplified procedure, provided the following conditions are met:

• Continuous legal residence in Georgia for the last 5 years before the application date.
• Knowledge of the Georgian state language.
• Knowledge of Georgian history and basic law.

This will require providing a marriage certificate and a document confirming the spouse’s citizenship, as well as proof of legal residence.

3.2. For Repatriates and Persons with Georgian Roots

How to get Georgian citizenship by ancestry or if a parent is Georgian? For persons with repatriate status, special conditions for simplified naturalization apply, which do not require fulfilling the general requirements of Article 12 of the Citizenship Law. A repatriation program in the usual sense does not exist, but “origin” is a basis for proving a connection to a Georgian citizen. The task is to document a continuous chain from the applicant to a Georgian ancestor. This often requires contacting archives (National Archives of Georgia, Archives of the Public Service Development Agency).

4. Exceptional Naturalization

The President of Georgia may grant Georgian citizenship in an exceptional procedure to foreign citizens who have special merits before Georgia or whose citizenship is dictated by state interests. This includes the following categories:

• Persons who consider Georgia their homeland and are descendants of those who emigrated for political or socio-economic reasons.
• Persons who have made or are making significant investments in the Georgian economy, contributing to its development.
• Persons who have achieved success in sports, science, or art and wish to continue their activities on behalf of Georgia.

For the first category, knowledge of the language, history, and basic law is also required.

How to get Georgian citizenship by investment? There is no direct “citizenship by investment” program in Georgia where a Georgian passport is issued in exchange for a fixed sum. However, investments can be a basis for obtaining citizenship through a longer path: first, an investment residence permit (RP), then a permanent RP, and only then naturalization with a language exam. An investment RP is issued for investments of 300,000 USD or more in the economy or real estate, or from 150,000 USD in real estate. This is similar to how you can obtain Czech Republic residency.

5. Restoration of Citizenship

This is relevant for persons who have lost their Georgian citizenship and is regulated by separate provisions of the Law.

Application Procedure and Timeline for Obtaining Citizenship

Applications regarding citizenship of Georgia are submitted in person or through a representative to the Public Service Development Agency of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia (SDA) or to a Georgian diplomatic mission or consular office abroad.

The application review period should not exceed 3 months. In case of a negative decision, re-application is possible after 6 months.

Required Documents for Georgian Citizenship

The list of documents may vary depending on the chosen basis but typically includes:

• Application.
• Photographs.
• Receipt for payment of the state fee.
• Copy of birth certificate (if available).
• Documents confirming the basis for obtaining citizenship (e.g., marriage certificate, residence documents, property/business documents).
• Document confirming citizenship of another state (for cases requiring its renunciation).

All documents not in Georgian must be notarized and translated into Georgian.

Important Nuances and Recommendations

• Renunciation of Previous Citizenship: In most cases, with the exception of obtaining citizenship through exceptional procedures, the President’s decree granting Georgian citizenship comes into force only after the competent authorities of Georgia receive a document certifying the applicant’s renunciation of foreign citizenship.
• Checking for Georgian Roots: If you are considering how to get Georgian citizenship by descent, thoroughly research your genealogical data and prepare all supporting documents. Consulting with lawyers specializing in Georgian citizenship will help in a legal audit of your situation.
• Preparing for Exams: Do not underestimate the difficulty of the Georgian language, history, and law exams. Start preparing in advance. Test results are valid for one year.
• Avoid Scammers: Be wary of offers for a “quick passport” or “citizenship for buying an apartment.” Georgian citizenship is a long legal process, not an instant purchase.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Georgian Citizenship

Can I get Georgian citizenship without an exam?

In most cases, passing exams in the Georgian language, history, and basic law is a mandatory condition for obtaining Georgian citizenship. Exceptions may only be provided for certain categories of persons, for example, under the simplified procedure for repatriates, where the requirements of Article 12 of the Citizenship Law do not apply. However, for most applicants, including those applying for citizenship through marriage or investment, exams are mandatory. Thus, how to get Georgian citizenship without an exam is very difficult and available only in exceptional cases provided by law.

How long does the process of obtaining Georgian citizenship take?

The application review period for citizenship of Georgia should not exceed 3 months. However, this does not include the time for collecting documents, preparing for exams, and waiting for renunciation of previous citizenship, which can significantly increase the overall timeline. The entire process can take from several months to several years, depending on the chosen basis and the applicant’s individual situation.

Does birth of a child in Georgia automatically grant them citizenship?

No, Georgia does not automatically grant citizenship based on the principle of “jus soli” (right of soil) in its pure form. A child born in Georgia to foreign parents does not receive Georgian citizenship unless one of the parents is a Georgian citizen, or if the child would otherwise be stateless.

Can I have dual citizenship in Georgia?

Georgia has a single citizenship system. However, the Law “On Georgian Citizenship” provides exceptions where a Georgian citizen may simultaneously be a citizen of a foreign state. These cases are strictly limited and regulated by Articles 17 and 21¹ of the Law. For most applicants, renunciation of previous citizenship is required. Therefore, if you want to obtain Georgian citizenship, be prepared for the possible need to renounce your first citizenship.

What investments are needed for Georgian citizenship?

There is no direct “citizenship by investment” program in Georgia. Investments can be a basis for obtaining a residence permit: from 300,000 USD in the economy or real estate for an investment RP for 5 years. After obtaining an RP and subsequent permanent RP, as well as fulfilling the residency requirement and passing exams, one can apply for naturalization. Thus, investments are only the first step towards Georgian citizenship, not a direct purchase of a passport.

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