Tbilisi (or Batumi): very cheap, near-zero tax on foreign income — but 2026 rule changes and cold winters need care.
Georgia offers a very low cost of living, near-zero personal tax on foreign income, and (historically) a frictionless 365-day visa-free stay — one of the cheapest legal bases in Eurasia for a remote-income family. On £4,500/mo you'd live comfortably with a large savings margin.
Tbilisi is the stronger base for this family — the only city with an established British/IGCSE school, the best flights and healthcare — while Batumi is cheaper and coastal but has no full IGCSE school and cold, wet winters.
The major 2026 caveat is a new work-authorisation regime that removes the old 'just live here and work' grey area — and neither base is warm all year.
Georgia's frictionless remote-work era changed on 1 March 2026: visa-free entry no longer auto-grants the right to work, and a new permit framework applies. This is the crux — get current professional advice before relying on any route.
Britons still enter and stay up to 365 days visa-free — but working now needs authorisation.
The tax-optimal structure and the permit-free structure may now conflict.
Immigration and tax treat an adult child separately.
Beyond the permit change, three practical constraints.
One of the cheapest bases, with a large income margin and near-zero foreign-income tax. Batumi is ~15–25% cheaper on rent but weaker on schooling. Figures at ≈ $1.28 to £1 (planning rate — verify).
| Item | USD / month | £ / month |
|---|---|---|
| Rent 3-bed, good area (Vake/Saburtalo) | ~$1,050 | £820 |
| Groceries & household | ~$450 | £350 |
| Utilities & internet winter gas heating spikes | ~$120 | £95 |
| Private health insurance family local plan | ~$85 | £67 |
| Transport | ~$175 | £137 |
| Eating out, leisure & misc | ~$220 | £172 |
| Living subtotal | ≈ $2,100 | ≈ £1,650 / mo |
Then a BIST IGCSE place (~£10,000/yr, verify) and ~6 return UK flights (often 1-stop) take the all-in to ~£2,610/mo — comfortably inside income, with a big surplus.
Territorial system — genuinely foreign-source personal income is generally 0%. Individual Entrepreneur + Small Business Status = 1% of turnover up to GEL 500k. But registering as IE triggers the new work-permit requirement (see the route). Whether remote income is 'foreign' once resident is fact-specific — verify.
Private clinics in Tbilisi are good and very cheap by UK standards; local family insurance ~£67/mo. Add an international policy for serious/overseas care; complex care is below Western-European standards.
Tbilisi: hot dry summers (30–35°C), cold winters (near/below freezing, some snow). Batumi: humid subtropical, warm wet summers but cool, very rainy winters. The coast is not warm year-round — beach season ~May–Sept.
British International School of Tbilisi (BIST) — IGCSE/A-level, the natural fit (fees not public; budget ~£8–13k/yr). Batumi has no full British/IGCSE school → online fallback.
Microchip, rabies jab and an endorsed health certificate within 10 days. Georgia is rabies 'high-risk', so the return to the UK is the harder route (titre test + wait) — plan it before you go.
Very low violent crime — among the safer countries for families. Background risks: Russia occupies ~20% of the territory; periodic Tbilisi protests. Poor road standards. Monitor FCDO advice.
Excellent. The Greater Caucasus is world-class terrain — trails, bike parks and guided riding around Tbilisi, Bakuriani and Gudauri. A strong fit for a keen rider.
Be honest: Georgia has minimal competitive rowing and no meaningful junior club scene in Tbilisi or Batumi (some flatwater/kayak options, and the sea at Batumi). Treat rowing as effectively unavailable — the trade is 'pause the rowing, gain the mountains'.