Blog/April 15, 2026
How to Move to Tbilisi: The Complete First-Week Setup Checklist for 2026
By Relova Team
Tbilisi first week checklist 2026 guide with visa routes, cost bands, neighborhood picks, timelines, and practical setup steps for expats planning a confident 2
Tbilisi first week checklist 2026 is a fixed order: SIM → short stay → central bank branch → neighborhood walk → long lease. Skip the local number and you will not open a bank account—SMS codes will not hit a foreign phone. Longer setup context: Tbilisi digital nomad setup, Moving to Tbilisi, Move to Georgia 2026.
Table of Contents
- Day-by-day first-week sequence
- Banking, leases, IE registration, and insurance
- First-week checklist table
- Frequently Asked Questions
Day-by-day first-week sequence
- Day 1 — SIM. Buy from Magticom, Silknet, or Cellfie (airport or any shop) with your passport—registration is mandatory. Expect about 5 GEL for the SIM plus a 15–40 GEL/month data pack.
- Days 1–3 — temporary housing. Arrive with 1–2 weeks of Airbnb/short-term already booked. Do not sign a long lease sight-unseen from abroad.
- Days 2–5 — walk neighborhoods. Vera (walkable, cafés) and Vake (more family-oriented) remain the main expat picks; also sample Saburtalo.
- Same window — bank account. Prefer a central TBC Bank or Bank of Georgia branch (district offices more often refuse foreigners without clear reason). Bring passport, local number, ideally 6–12 months of home-bank statements, and a lease if you have one. AML checks tightened in 2026—“passport only” is no longer a sure thing. Plan 30–60 minutes in branch.
Banking, leases, IE registration, and insurance
After you pick a district, hunt long-term rentals on SS.ge and local Facebook groups. If you will operate locally as a freelancer, register Individual Entrepreneur + Small Business Status (1% turnover tax up to 500,000 GEL/year) at a Public Service Hall with passport and a legal Georgian address. From 1 March 2026, work-permit rules affect Georgian-company employment; IE registration may need extra checks—confirm before you file. Foreigners cannot use Georgia’s public health system—buy private cover from day one (entry guidance often cites at least GEL 30,000 coverage).
First-week checklist table
| Day / stage | Action | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | SIM card | Passport, ~5–40 GEL |
| Days 1–3 | Temporary housing | Booked in advance |
| Days 2–5 | Bank account | Passport + local number + statements |
| Week 1–2 | Neighborhood scouting | Vera / Vake / Saburtalo |
| After scouting | Long-term lease | SS.ge, Facebook groups |
| If needed | IE registration | Public Service Hall, passport |
| From day one | Health insurance | Mandatory, GEL 30,000+ cover |
Related guides on this blog: Tbilisi digital nomad setup, Moving to Tbilisi, Move to Georgia 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the SIM the first errand?
Banks need a Georgian number for SMS codes. Without it, account opening stalls.
Which bank branch should I use?
A central TBC or Bank of Georgia branch. District offices more often refuse foreigners without clear reason.
Can I use public healthcare as a foreigner?
No. Private insurance is required from the start (often framed as GEL 30,000+ cover for entry).
What changed for IE registration in 2026?
From 1 March 2026, work-permit rules tightened around Georgian employment/IE setups—confirm current Public Service Hall requirements before registering.
Where do expats look for long leases?
SS.ge and Facebook groups—after you have walked Vera/Vake (and maybe Saburtalo) in person.
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