How to buy land in Georgia as an American

Georgia (the country, not the state) is a hidden gem between Eastern Europe and West Asia that more and more American expats are getting interested in.

It's famous for its stunning mountain landscapes, renowned wine regions, and khachapuri - a traditional cheese-filled bread.

If you're thinking about buying land in Georgia, there are important things that you need to be aware of. By law, foreigners are only eligible to buy non-agricultural land, which can limit your options.

That said, it's still possible. Here's everything you need to know about buying land in Georgia. We’ll also introduce Wise, an easy way to quickly move money between the US and Georgia with no exchange rate markups, even for large transfers.

---

Table of contents
Can Americans buy land in Georgia? How much is an acre of land in Georgia? Taxes and costs to own land in Georgia Buying property abroad? Send money the hassle-free way with Wise How to find plots of land for sale in Georgia How to buy land in Georgia: step by step Financing options for buying land in Georgia

---

Can Americans buy land in Georgia?

As an American, you can purchase any non-agricultural land in Georgia without restrictions.

This includes residential properties, commercial buildings, and undeveloped land, as long as it's not classified as agricultural. You'll have the same property rights as Georgian citizens, including full ownership and the ability to sell or transfer the property as you wish.

That said, you can lease agricultural land for up to 49 years.¹

Real estate in Georgia has been experiencing a lot of growth recently, with statistics suggesting that the market will continue growing at 5.70% between the years 2025 and 2029.²

So, now could be a good time to invest in Georgia land.

Does buying land in Georgia make you a citizen?

Buying land in Georgia doesn't automatically grant citizenship, but it can open pathways to residency (and, eventually, citizenship).

You can choose 2 different types of residence permits based on your investment level:³

• 100,000 USD investment allows you to apply for a 5-year temporary residence permit
• 300,000 USD investment qualifies you for permanent residency in Georgia

If you're getting permanent residency through the 300,000 USD investment, you'll need to maintain ownership for at least 5 years after receiving your residence permit.³

After living in Georgia for 10 years, you can typically apply for citizenship through naturalization. But qualifying for citizenship comes with other requirements as well, including learning the Georgian language.³

🚨 Georgia doesn't typically allow for dual citizenship - it's only possible in some exceptional cases - so you'll likely need to renounce your US citizenship if you want to become a citizen of Georgia.

How much is an acre of land in Georgia?

Land prices in Georgia can vary widely, but they're generally much more affordable than in the US.

On average, a plot of land in the suburbs of Tbilisi or Batumi costs anywhere from 10,000 USD (~27,885 GEL), but typically under 150,000 USD (~418,275 GEL).⁴⁵

💡 Remember that as a foreign buyer, you can only purchase non-agricultural land. Sometimes, you can come across "rezoning" schemes, but these can be complicated and potentially illegal - not to mention they'll likely come with additional costs and regulatory hurdles.

Taxes and costs to own land in Georgia

Taxes in Georgia are relatively low and straightforward, which is great for property owners. This is another reason why buying land in Georgia has been becoming more popular with foreign investors.

Here's a breakdown of the key taxes you may encounter as a landowner in Georgia:⁶

Tax type	Rate
Standard property tax	1%
Land tax	0.24 GEL (~0.09 USD) per square meter
Rental income tax (residential)	5%
Rental income tax (commercial)	20%
VAT	18%

The land tax applies specifically to non-agricultural land owned by businesses, which is what you can purchase as a foreign buyer.⁶

You only have to pay the Value Added Tax (VAT) if your rental income goes over 100,000 GEL (~35,861.57 USD) in 12 months. At this point, you must register as a VAT payer and apply the 18% rate to your rental income.⁶

Generally speaking, unless you’re renting your land, the only tax you have to worry about as a landowner is the standard 1% property tax or the land tax of 0.24 GEL (0.09 USD) per square meter land tax.⁶

You also need to consider construction costs if you're planning to build on your land. These will vary depending on the materials you choose and factors like the size and complexity of your design.

It can be a good idea to consult with local architects and contractors before buying land in Georgia to create a realistic construction budget.

🚨 If you decide to sell your land, you may want to hold onto it for at least 2 years to avoid triggering the property sale tax. This tax is 5% for residential properties and 20% for commercial properties if you’ve owned the land for less than 2 years.⁶

Buying property abroad? Send money the hassle-free way with Wise

Now that we covered some of the basics, the only question left is: how to send money to pay for your property overseas?

Wise offers you a quick, secure and transparent way of sending money to Georgia. You get the mid-market exchange rate for your payments and see how much it’s charged for the transfer before sending the money from your bank.

With the Wise Account you can also hold 40+ currencies, spend money in 150+ countries, and receive like a local in 9 different currencies.

Get started with Wise

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information

How to find plots of land for sale in Georgia

Wondering what is the best place to buy land in Georgia?

It's typically a good idea to focus your search around the country's major urban centers because that's where non-agricultural land is more readily available.

Here are a few places to consider.

• Tbilisi: The capital city has the most developed infrastructure and the highest property appreciation potential. You can find residential plots in suburbs like Saburtalo, Vake, and Didi Dighomi

• Batumi: A popular resort city by the Black Sea with beachfront and hillside plots offering sea views

• Kutaisi: Georgia's third-largest city with more affordable options, some of them land

Remember, as a foreign buyer, you can only purchase non-agricultural land, which narrows your options, especially as you go further into the rural country.

Many real estate websites and agents in Georgia will clearly indicate whether a plot is agricultural or non-agricultural land. Here are a few real estate websites to try:

• Realting.com
• Homesearch
• Tbilisi Property

Generally speaking, the best way to find land for sale in Georgia is to work with a local real estate agent and see everything in person.

How to buy land in Georgia: step by step

Figuring out how to buy land in Georgia can take you a little bit of time, but it's typically not that complicated. Here are the steps to follow.

Step 1. Research plots of land

You can start looking for land online, but the best way to find quality options is to work with a local real estate professional.

You'll typically have the best luck looking at real estate listings close to major cities like Tbilisi or Batumi instead of rural real estate — that land is likely going to be classified as agricultural.

Step 2. Verify land classification

Before getting too invested in any property, confirm that it's classified as non-agricultural land.

Many real estate listings list this information right away, but it's still a good idea to request official documentation of the land's status from the seller or your real estate agent.

Step 3. Do your due diligence

It's very important to thoroughly assess the land before committing to anything. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Conduct a professional land survey to confirm exact boundaries and size
• Check for any contamination or structural issues with a soil quality assessment
• Verify the availability of utilities, including water and electricity access
• Make sure there's proper road access to the property
• Research local zoning laws and building restrictions that might affect your plans
• Ask about any future development projects that may happen in the surrounding areas

Your local real estate professional should be able to help with this process.

Step 4. Work with a team of local professionals

Do your best to find a Georgian real estate agent with specific experience in land transactions and foreign buyers. You should also engage a local lawyer who has dealt with foreign property purchases.

You may also need a translator if there are any documents in English that need to be translated into Georgian (for example, if you're applying for a mortgage).

Step 5. Complete legal documentation

Work with your lawyer to draft a comprehensive sales agreement that protects your interests.

You'll typically need a notarized copy of your passport, proof of funds, land survey results, and property registration documents from the seller.

You can then register your purchase at the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR). You must submit all required documentation and pay the registration fees, which range from 50 to 200 GEL (~18 to 71 USD) depending on how quickly you need to complete the process.¹

Step 6. Start a post-purchase checklist

Once you register the land in your name, you'll need to arrange for utility connections if they aren't already in place and set up regular land maintenance. You can also start working on your construction if you're building a house. The land is now yours!

Financing options for buying land in Georgia

You may be able to buy land in Georgia in cash, since some plots of land are pretty affordable.

But if you need financing, you may be able to get a loan from a local bank, such as Bank of Georgia or TBC Bank. You'll need to provide proof of income (usually for the past 6 to 12 months), bank statements, and documentation of any existing assets or liabilities.

That said, be prepared for higher interest rates and larger down payments when applying for a mortgage as a foreigner.

---

Now that you know how to buy land in Georgia, you can get started looking for the perfect property. Just make sure to focus your search on non-agricultural land and work with reliable local professionals.

Aside from that, the process is relatively straightforward and similar to the US.

To send high-speed, low-fee transfers to Georgia, use Wise.

Sources

1. Nomos Law Firm - How to buy land in Georgia
2. Statista - Residential Real Estate Georgia
3. Immigrant Invest - How to obtain a Georgian passport
4. World Estate - How can foreigners buy real estate in Georgia?
5. Realting.com - Lands for sale in Georgia
6. Gegidze - Guide to individual property taxes in Georgia

Sources checked 02/18/2025