Georgian citizenship by naturalisation: 10 years, exams and dual citizenship

The rules are in the Organic Law of Georgia on Georgian Citizenship of 30 April 2014. We read the Georgian consolidated text of 25 June 2026, because the English version on matsne is marked as being updated. Article numbers below refer to that law.

Ordinary naturalisation: 10 years

Under Article 12(1) an adult may apply if they:

• have lived in Georgia lawfully and continuously for the last 10 years;
• know the Georgian language, Georgian history and basic law to the set level;
• work in Georgia, own real estate there, run a business there, or hold shares in a Georgian company.

Stateless persons with that status need 5 years (Article 12(1¹)).

Ten years of lawful residence is a separate test from permanent residence. Georgia's general route to permanent residence also takes 10 years on temporary permits, and first temporary permits now last only 6 months to 1 year. The citizenship test asks for continuous lawful residence, so keep every permit and extension in order. See permanent residence.

Spouses of Georgian citizens: 5 years

Article 14 allows simplified naturalisation for the spouse of a Georgian citizen after 5 years of continuous lawful residence. The spouse must still pass the language, history and law requirements. Since 1 September 2026 spouses also live under a new spouse residence permit, checked by a commission for sham marriage. See family reunification.

The exam

The Public Service Development Agency (PSDA) runs a computer-based test of language, history and law. You book it at the PSDA, a Public Service Hall or a Georgian consulate.

• The first attempt is free. Each later attempt costs GEL 40.
• A pass is valid for 1 year.
• A medical exemption has been available since 1 May 2024.

Dual citizenship and renunciation

Georgia limits dual citizenship in both directions.

• When a foreign citizen is granted Georgian citizenship by naturalisation, the presidential decree takes effect only when proof is received that the other citizenship was renounced (Article 15).
• A Georgian citizen who acquires another citizenship loses Georgian citizenship, unless the state consented beforehand (Article 21(1)(c), 21(3)).
• People granted citizenship by exception are exempt from that loss rule (Article 21¹).

Check what your own country's law says about giving up its citizenship before you apply. The decree will not take effect without proof of renunciation.

Exceptional citizenship by the President

Article 17 lets the President grant citizenship to a foreign citizen with special merit, or where it is in the state's interest. The law lists factors such as:

• considering Georgia a homeland, with ties to the occupied territories or to emigration (these applicants must pass the exams);
• a significant investment;
• success in sport, science or art.

Exceptional citizenship is at the President's discretion. The law names no investment amount, so nobody can sell it as a product with a guaranteed result.

Fees and decision time

The President decides. The maximum review time is 3 months, and you can reapply 6 months after a refusal (Articles 25 and 26). The PSDA fee depends on the speed you choose:

Refusal grounds

Article 16 lists refusal grounds. They include international crimes, especially serious crimes against persons, the state or public order, being wanted or under extradition or expulsion, and state or public security grounds. The security grounds use the same list as the Aliens Law: harm to relations with other states, links to hostile armed forces, foreign intelligence, terrorist, extremist or organised-crime groups, and similar. On the security ground the President decides and must give reasons.

Court review after the March 2025 ruling

Article 29 of the law excludes court appeals against presidential decisions, except decisions to terminate citizenship. On 7 March 2025 the Constitutional Court of Georgia (decision No 3/3/1601) struck down the part that blocked appeals against refusals to naturalise. A refused applicant can therefore take the refusal to court. Law 1820 of 25 June 2026 added that such an appeal does not stop expulsion.

Citizenship and tax are separate

Georgian citizenship does not by itself decide where you pay tax. Georgian tax residency depends on days of presence under Article 34 of the Tax Code. See Georgian tax residency.