Living in Batumi as a foreigner, honestly

Living in Batumi as a foreigner: what is genuinely different

• Seasons: Batumi is a resort. Summer is crowded and expensive, winter is quiet and wet, and rents follow both.
• Services: Banks, notaries and a Public Service Hall are all there, but specialist professional services are thinner than in the capital.
• Air links: Batumi's airport is small and seasonal. Tbilisi is where the year-round flights are.
• Property: A large share of new building is aimed at short-let investors, which affects both what is available and who your neighbours are.

What is not different

The residence permit routes, the fees, the document list and the 183-day test. The Revenue Service treats you the same. Small business status works the same.

Who it suits

People who want the sea and can work anywhere, and who do not need a professional network in the room. People building a business with local partners usually end up in Tbilisi whether they planned to or not.

A practical note

If you are buying property to support a permit, the valuation rules and the threshold do not change by city, but the supply of overpriced seafront units aimed at foreigners does. Get an independent valuation rather than the developer's number.