🇬🇪 Georgia — Relocation Profile

Section: Part 1 (Main list · non-Muslim-majority) · Last verified: 2026-06-01 · Confidence: High (except property-residency threshold — raised from $100k to $150k in 2025, confirm before investing; and US Social Security restriction — see §6) Written for: Canadian & American citizens · English-speaking audience (Georgian official; Russian widely spoken; English growing in Tbilisi/Batumi) CAD figures use ≈1.37 USD→CAD (June 2026). Local currency: Georgian Lari (GEL); 1 USD ≈ 2.70 GEL as of mid-2026.

1. Scorecard

2. Why people move here

The pitch that fills every "we moved to Georgia" YouTube video: a full year visa-free (for Americans), zero tax on foreign-sourced income, an insanely simple 1% small-business tax structure, and a country where you can buy a renovated flat in Tbilisi's old town for under $100,000 — then rent it out on Airbnb for double-digit yields. Throw in the 8,000-year-old wine culture (Georgia invented wine), the Caucasus mountain ranges an hour from the capital, a warm and genuinely hospitable culture, and a cost of living that can undercut Southeast Asia while still feeling distinctly European, and it's easy to see the appeal.

The honest catch is real: Georgia is not Switzerland. The 2024–2025 political crisis — a foreign-agent law modelled on Russia's, mass protests met with rubber bullets and tear gas, and the ruling Georgian Dream party suspending EU accession talks until 2028 — cast a long shadow over a country that was, until recently, one of the world's most inspiring democratic success stories. The Lari depreciates over time. Public healthcare and public schooling are weak outside major cities. And the banking tailwind that made Georgia famous — walk in, show a passport, walk out with an account — has tightened meaningfully since 2022. None of these are dealbreakers for the right person. But they deserve honest weight.

3. Pros & Cons

Pros

• 365-day visa-free entry for US citizens (90 days for Canadians); no pre-arrival paperwork
• Territorial taxation: foreign-source income is untaxed in Georgia
• 1% Individual Entrepreneur regime — the simplest, lowest small-business tax in Europe/Caucasus
• Banking still accessible — TBC and Bank of Georgia routinely open accounts for North Americans with documentation
• Genuinely cheap and safe — Tbilisi ranks among top-50 safest cities globally; crime index ~22 on Numbeo

Cons

• Political instability 2024–2025: foreign-agent law, mass protests, EU accession suspended; democratic backsliding is ongoing
• US Social Security may not be directly deposited in Georgia — a major catch for American retirees (see §6)
• Dual citizenship generally not permitted — you must renounce your original passport to naturalise (exceptions exist but are rare)
• GEL depreciates over the long term; savings in GEL erode; expats keep savings abroad
• Language barrier outside Tbilisi/Batumi: Georgian alphabet and script are entirely unique; Russian is the second language for older residents

4. Snapshot

5. Visas & Residency (Canadian / American passport)

Georgia's visa policy is exceptionally open for North Americans — it is one of the most accessible entry regimes in the world. The Public Service Development Agency (PSDA) administers residence permits.

• Citizenship: requires 10 years of continuous residency + Georgian language and history test. Dual citizenship is generally not permitted — applicants must renounce their original passport. Presidential exceptions exist (repatriation; major investors) but are rare. Canadian and American passport holders should assume they lose their home citizenship if they naturalise. This is a significant barrier most North Americans choose to avoid by staying on residence permits indefinitely.
• Bureaucracy reality: the PSDA's Public Service Hall is genuinely user-friendly — 400+ services, same-day property registration. Many residence permit applications are approved in 30 days. First-time applications must be in person; renewals can be handled remotely.
• Official: migration.commission.ge

6. Tax, Money & Banking

Tax System

• System: territorial. Georgia taxes residents only on Georgian-source income. Foreign dividends, foreign rental income, foreign capital gains, and remote-work income from foreign clients are not taxed in Georgia, provided the income genuinely originates outside Georgia. (verified 2026-06-01)
• Flat personal income tax: 20% on Georgian-sourced earned income. (PwC Georgia, taxsummaries.pwc.com) (verified 2026-06-01)
• Rental income tax: 5% — one of the lowest flat rental income rates in the world. (Global Property Guide) (verified 2026-06-01)
• Capital gains on property: No capital gains tax if the property is held for more than 2 years. Held under 2 years: taxed at 5%. No VAT on residential property purchases. (ExpatHub.ge) (verified 2026-06-01)
• No inheritance, wealth, or net worth tax.
• CRS: Georgia participates in the Common Reporting Standard — financial account information is shared with other jurisdictions.

The 1% Individual Entrepreneur (IE) Regime

Georgia's signature tax offering for entrepreneurs and digital nomads. Register as an Individual Entrepreneur (IE) + elect Small Business Status, and pay 1% of turnover up to GEL 500,000/year (~$185K USD). Turnover above that threshold in the same year is taxed at 3%. (verified 2026-06-01)

• Who qualifies: most service-based businesses and freelancers; income must be Georgian-sourced (i.e., services performed while physically in Georgia, even for foreign clients).
• Key nuance: If you physically perform the work in Georgia, that income is Georgian-sourced — taxed at 1% as an IE. If you are a tax resident and earn income from a foreign client while sitting in Tbilisi, the 1% IE regime applies — not the 0% foreign-income exemption. The 0% exemption applies to passive foreign income (dividends, foreign rental, foreign capital gains) where the underlying economic activity happens outside Georgia. (verified 2026-06-01)
• Setup cost: registering as an IE costs approximately $20–30 USD at the PSDA Public Service Hall, same day. Total annual accounting cost: $200–500/year with a local accountant.

HNWI Special Tax Residency

For higher earners who want Georgian tax residency without spending 183 days/year there: the HNWI program requires either GEL 3M ($1.1M) in global assets or GEL 200K ($74K) annual income for each of the 3 preceding years, plus ownership of Georgian property valued at approximately $500K. Must be applied for annually. (verified 2026-06-01)

🏦 Banking Deep-Dive — HONEST Assessment for North Americans

The legacy reputation: Georgia became famous in expat circles for the easiest bank account opening in the world — walk into TBC or Bank of Georgia with a passport, open an account in 30 minutes. That era is largely over, but Georgia is still well above average.

Current reality (2026): Both TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia now require meaningful KYC documentation from foreign applicants. Arriving with only a passport is a reliable path to rejection. Come prepared with:

• Passport
• 6–12 months of home-country bank statements (in English or with a certified translation)
• Proof of source of funds (employment letter, contracts, business registration, or investment records)
• Brief explanation of why you are opening an account in Georgia

For most North Americans (Americans and Canadians), this is still achievable — especially at TBC Bank (generally more foreigner-friendly) and Bank of Georgia. TBC Bank has a dedicated non-resident onboarding flow and no minimum deposit. If one bank declines, try the other; results vary by branch and individual compliance officer. (verified 2026-06-01)

What you can't do without a Georgian bank account: hold a Georgian SIM contract, receive GEL transfers domestically, easily pay local taxes or utility bills, or handle property transactions smoothly.

No universal local tax ID equivalent to Brazil's CPF is required to function in Georgia — a passport suffices for many everyday transactions. A Georgian TIN (Tax Identification Number) is assigned automatically when you register as a resident or IE.

Multi-currency accounts: TBC and Bank of Georgia both offer GEL/USD/EUR accounts in one app. Keep savings in USD or EUR inside the account to avoid Lari depreciation risk.

🍁🇺🇸 CANADA vs USA — what's different

🇺🇸 Americans:

• US worldwide taxation continues — you file US taxes no matter where you live. Use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE, ~$130K earned income, 2025) for Georgian-sourced wages; use the Foreign Tax Credit for Georgian taxes paid (at 20% PIT, the credit often covers the US liability). File FBAR if Georgian accounts exceed $10K aggregate.
• CRITICAL — Social Security: Georgia (the Caucasus country) appears on the SSA's list of countries where direct Social Security payment may be restricted or requires special conditions. Some sources indicate US retirees may need to collect payments at the US Embassy monthly rather than by direct deposit. Verify your specific situation directly with the SSA before relocating as a retiree. This is a material concern for American retirees. (verified 2026-06-01)
• No US–Georgia full tax treaty — there is only a limited information-exchange agreement. Double taxation is rare in practice (territorial system + FEIE/FTC), but plan with a US expat CPA.

🍁 Canadians:

• Become a Canadian non-resident (sever residential ties) to stop Canadian tax on worldwide income — triggers departure tax (deemed disposition of most assets at fair market value). Plan this before moving.
• No Canada–Georgia tax treaty — only a TIEA (Tax Information Exchange Agreement). Double taxation is rare (territorial system) but consult a cross-border accountant.
• CPP is payable anywhere in the world with no restrictions. OAS is payable abroad to those with 20+ qualifying years of Canadian residence after age 18 (the non-resident withholding tax rate applies — typically 25% unless reduced by treaty; no Georgia-Canada treaty means full 25% withholding on OAS). No specific restriction on receiving CPP/OAS in Georgia.
• 90-day visa-free limit means Canadians who want to stay longer must obtain a residence permit.

7. Cost of Living & Economy

Georgia corrected from its post-2022 price spike (influx of Russian and Ukrainian expats drove up rents 20–40%) and prices dropped ~12% in early 2025. Tbilisi is no longer the extreme bargain of 2019, but it remains very affordable by Western standards. (verified 2026-06-01)

Rent breakdown:

• Tbilisi — Old Town / Vake / Vera (premium): 1BR $500–700/mo; 2BR $800–1,200/mo. (Numbeo, May 2026) (verified 2026-06-01)
• Tbilisi — Saburtalo / Gldani (mid-range): 1BR $250–450/mo.
• Batumi: 1BR central $400–600/mo; seafront higher.
• Kutaisi / provincial cities: 1BR $150–300/mo.

Other costs:

• Budget meal (khinkali, khachapuri): $3–8
• Mid-range restaurant: $8–20/person
• Monthly groceries (cooking at home): $80–150
• Monthly utilities (85m² flat): ~$60–80
• Mobile SIM + data: $5–10/mo

Currency/economy: The Lari is a managed float with a long-term depreciation bias against USD. Inflation has moderated from 2022 highs. The economy is services/tourism-driven; political instability in 2024–2025 has created uncertainty but no currency crisis as of mid-2026. Keep medium- and long-term savings in USD or EUR.

8. Safety

• Global Peace Index 2025: Georgia ranks in the top third globally — ahead of Italy, Greece, and France. (Vitis Travel, vitistravel.com) (verified 2026-06-01)
• Numbeo Crime Index (Tbilisi): approximately 22.5 out of 100 — very low, comparable to Helsinki or Vienna. Tbilisi was ranked #32 safest city globally (CEOWORLD 2025). (Numbeo) (verified 2026-06-01)
• 🇺🇸 US State Dept: Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions for mainland Georgia. Exception: Do Not Travel to Russian-occupied South Ossetia and Abkhazia (kidnapping, landmines, no US consular access). (verified 2026-06-01)
• 🍁 Canada: Exercise normal security precautions for mainland Georgia. Avoid South Ossetia and Abkhazia. (verified 2026-06-01)
• Solo women: Tbilisi is regarded as safe and walkable; harassment is low. Georgia has patriarchal social norms — unwanted attention (staring, occasional following) is the most common complaint among foreign women, especially outside Tbilisi. Nightlife is vibrant and generally safe.
• Political protests: mass protests in Tbilisi's Rustaveli Avenue (2024–2025) were largely peaceful on the protesters' side; police used water cannons and rubber bullets. Protests have since become periodic. Avoid large demonstrations.
• Avoid: the border zones with Russia (North Caucasus side), South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and parts of upper Svaneti near the Russian border during tensions.

9. Healthcare

• Public healthcare — what is it, really? Georgia launched its Universal Healthcare Program (UHCP) in 2013 — emergency care and family doctor visits are nominally free for all. For the general population, the state subsidises roughly 30% of treatment costs. Full free coverage is reserved for socially vulnerable groups: children under 5, pensioners, people with disabilities, and low-income households. Residents with residence permits can register in the UHCP but full free access requires meeting vulnerable-category criteria — most working-age expats will not qualify. In practice, the public system has long wait times and limited English, and nearly all expats use private healthcare. (verified 2026-06-01)
• Private healthcare quality: Good to very good in Tbilisi — modern private hospitals (Aversi-Rational, Evex chain, Iashvili Children's) offer Western-standard care at a fraction of Western prices. A GP visit: $20–40. Specialist: $30–60. A complex procedure costs perhaps 20–30% of US equivalent pricing.
• Private health insurance: local Georgian policy from ~$30–60/mo for a healthy adult. International policy (recommended): ~$100–200/mo. Advisable to hold international cover for medical evacuation.
• Expats with the new January 2026 insurance rule: Georgia has introduced a minimum insurance requirement (€30,000 medical + evacuation) for entry — confirm your policy meets this at the point of entry.
• Tbilisi medical tourism hub: increasingly popular for dental work and elective procedures (dental implant: ~$400–700 vs $3,000–5,000 in North America).

10. Family & Education

• Public schools: Free and universal for all children in Georgia regardless of immigration status. Quality is uneven — better in Tbilisi; genuinely poor in rural areas. Instruction is in Georgian. Not a realistic option for English-speaking expat families relocating with children unless they are in the Georgian-curriculum stream with language support.
• English-medium international schools (Tbilisi):
  • QSI International School of Tbilisi — US curriculum, PreK–Grade 12; tuition ~$24,000/yr for K–12 + $3,200 capital fund fee. (State Dept fact sheet) (verified 2026-06-01)
  • New School (International School of Georgia) — IB PYP, MYP, and Diploma programmes; English and Georgian departments. Only IB-authorized school in Georgia.
  • Georgian-American School (GAST) — GEL 9,500/yr ($3,500 USD) for 2025–2026. More affordable.
  • Buckswood International, British-Georgian Academy, St. George's — additional English-medium options; tuition varies ~$5,000–15,000/yr.
• Childcare: affordable — private kindergartens from ~$200–400/mo.
• University: Georgia has several recognized universities (Tbilisi State University, Free University of Tbilisi) offering some English-medium programs at low tuition. Not a primary draw for North American families.
• Bottom line for families: private international schooling is substantially cheaper than in North America or Western Europe; QSI is the safe choice for continuity with a US-style curriculum.

11. Social Safety Net

• Georgian state safety net is limited and designed for Georgian citizens. Working-age expats on residence permits are not entitled to Georgian unemployment benefits, welfare payments, or social assistance.
• UHCP (healthcare): residents with permits can register; full free access requires vulnerable-category status (see §9).
• State pension: Georgian citizens receive a state pension (~GEL 300–400/mo, ~$110–150 USD). Foreign residents do not access this.
• Home-country benefits:
  • US Social Security: see §6 — there is a potential restriction on direct deposit payments to Georgia. Verify with SSA before relocating.
  • US Medicare: does not cover care outside the US. Expats need private international insurance.
  • CPP/OAS (Canada): CPP payable anywhere without restriction. OAS payable with 20+ qualifying years; 25% non-resident withholding tax applies (no Georgia–Canada tax treaty to reduce this). Neither program restricts payment to Georgia. (verified 2026-06-01)
• Self-sufficiency is essential: budget for private health insurance, private pension/savings, and emergency funds. Georgia is not a country where the social net catches you.

12. Property & Investment

• Foreigner ownership: Foreigners can own property in Georgia on the same basis as citizens — full freehold, no permits needed, no minimum. Exception: agricultural land — foreigners cannot own agricultural land in Georgia (a constitutional provision). Residential, commercial, and non-agricultural land: fully open. (verified 2026-06-01)
• No residency required to buy. A passport suffices. Property is registered at the National Agency of Public Registry — registration is completed within one business day.
• Closing costs: approximately 3–5% total (notary, registration, agency). No VAT on residential purchases. No property sales tax if held 2+ years.
• Property prices (2025–2026):
  • Tbilisi (mid-range neighborhoods, new build): ~$1,200–1,500/m²; premium (Vake, Old Town): $2,000–3,000/m². (Global Property Guide) (verified 2026-06-01)
  • Batumi (new build average): ~$1,427/m² (Colliers Georgia, June 2025); seafront premium: $1,800–2,800/m².
• Long-term rental yields: Tbilisi average gross ~7–10%; Batumi average gross ~7–8% (Global Property Guide, Q1 2026) (verified 2026-06-01)
• Property investment residency threshold: ≥ $150,000 → 1-year renewable permit; ≥ $300,000 → 5-year permit. (IMI Daily) Threshold was raised from $100K in 2025 — confirm current figure at application. (verified 2026-06-01)

13. Airbnb / Short-Term Rental

Georgia has no national STR ban or licensing regime as of mid-2026 — one of the most permissive environments in Europe and the Caucasus. Rental income is taxed at a flat 5%. (Global Property Guide) (verified 2026-06-01)

Tbilisi STR data (Airbtics/AirROI, 2025–2026):

• Active listings: ~6,500
• Average occupancy: 63–66%
• Average daily rate (ADR): ~$35–38 USD
• Example: $70,000 Saburtalo apartment earns ~$7,000/yr gross ≈ 10% yield. (ExpatHub.ge) (verified 2026-06-01)

Batumi STR data:

• Average occupancy: 54–57%
• ADR: ~$46 USD
• Monthly revenue: avg ~$3,900 USD. (Airbtics) (verified 2026-06-01)

Investor notes:

• Management companies in Batumi (common for off-plan new builds) typically take 20–30% of revenue; factor this into net yield.
• Off-plan developer "guaranteed yield" promises in Batumi (often 12–15%) should be stress-tested against actual Airbtics/AirDNA market data.
• Post-2022 Batumi has seen significant new construction; supply competition has grown.
• Political instability in 2024–2025 hit tourism numbers modestly; 2025 visitor numbers recovered to ~8 million, a record. (Swallow's Notes) (verified 2026-06-01)

14. Doing Business & Dealing with Government

• Company registration speed: A sole proprietor (Individual Entrepreneur) or LLC (Shpk) can be registered at the Public Service Hall in 1 business day for under $30. Foreigners can own 100% of a Georgian company with no restrictions (except in a few regulated sectors). (verified 2026-06-01)
• World Bank "Business Ready" 2025: Georgia maintained a leading position globally — consistently ranks in the top 10 globally for ease of starting a business. (verified 2026-06-01)
• The 1% IE regime: the single most attractive element for freelancers and service-based entrepreneurs. Setup in one day; flat 1% on turnover; quarterly filing via the Revenue Service portal (rs.ge) which is available in Georgian only (use Chrome auto-translate or a local accountant for $200–400/yr).
• Government services — English language: The Public Service Hall (PSH) branches in Tbilisi have English-speaking staff and handle a wide range of services (property registration, business registration, residence permits, driving licences). The Revenue Service portal (rs.ge) is Georgian-language only — most expats use a local accountant. Many PSH forms are available in English. (verified 2026-06-01)
• Online services: most tax filing, company registration, and property registration are digital. Georgia scores highly on e-government. Customs and VAT registration are online.
• Corruption: Georgia has dramatically reduced petty corruption since the 2000s reforms. Transparency International rates it relatively clean by regional standards. Rule of law has weakened at the political/judicial level (2024–2025 concerns) but day-to-day business bureaucracy is straightforward.
• No Arabic government services — not a relevant market segment here.

15. Lifestyle, Community & Language Access

• Expat community: Tbilisi has a significant and growing expat and digital-nomad community, concentrated in Vake, Vera, and the Old Town. It expanded dramatically with the post-2022 influx of Russian and Ukrainian nationals (many of whom have since moved on). The community is international and tech-forward. Batumi has a younger, more investor-oriented expat scene. Dedicated Facebook groups (Expats in Georgia, Tbilisi Digital Nomads) are active.
• English in daily life: workable in Tbilisi and Batumi — most restaurants, coworking spaces, and Airbnb operators speak English; younger urban Georgians generally speak functional English. English signage is common in central Tbilisi. Outside the cities, Russian is more useful than English; the Georgian language is unique (its own script, Mkhedruli) and takes years to learn.
• Arabic and Muslim infrastructure: very limited in Tbilisi. There is a small mosque in Tbilisi (Old Town) and a Muslim community in Adjara (Batumi area) and Kvemo Kartli. Halal food is limited in Tbilisi; better availability in Batumi and the Muslim-majority regions. Not a primary draw for Arabic-speaking or Muslim expats.
• Culture and lifestyle: Georgians are famously hospitable — the tradition of supra (feast) and tamada (toastmaster) is central. Wine is woven into national identity (8,000-year-old qvevri tradition; 500+ indigenous grape varieties). Food is outstanding and cheap. Mountains (Kazbegi, Gudauri, Svaneti) are 2–3 hours from Tbilisi. The Black Sea coast (Batumi) is 5 hours by road or 45 minutes by plane.
• Tbilisi nightlife: internationally regarded (Bassiani, Fabrika) — a genuinely vibrant, creative city.
• Internet: home fiber in Tbilisi: 50–300 Mbps, $15–25/mo. Mobile data (Magti, Geocell, Beeline): fast 4G, cheap. eSIM options available from ~$5–8/mo. Coworking: 30+ spaces in Tbilisi including Impact Hub, Terminal, Lokal; café work culture is strong. (verified 2026-06-01)
• Climate: Tbilisi summers are hot and dry (35°C+); winters are cold (0–5°C, some snow). Batumi is subtropical and rainy year-round. Mountain resorts (Gudauri) offer world-class skiing.

16. Incentives

Georgia has multiple active programs designed to attract foreign residents, entrepreneurs, and investors — among the most generous in the world for its income level:

• Visa-free 365-day stay (Americans): no other country in the OECD or Caucasus matches this as a de facto nomad welcome.
• 1% Individual Entrepreneur tax: actively marketed by Georgia's government as a business attraction tool. (verified 2026-06-01)
• Territorial taxation: foreign passive income entirely outside the tax base.
• HNWI Tax Residency Program: for high earners who want Georgian tax residency without physical presence. (Gegidze & Co.) (verified 2026-06-01)
• Property investment residency: $150K threshold for a 1-year renewable permit — one of the lowest investment-residency thresholds in any country.
• Virtual Zone Company regime: IT companies registered as Virtual Zone entities pay 0% corporate tax on foreign-sourced revenue (only applicable to profits from services provided to non-Georgian clients). For tech businesses, this is a powerful structure. (Note: separate from the IE regime; requires a legal entity rather than a sole proprietorship.)
• Free Industrial Zones (FIZ): companies in Poti and Kutaisi FIZs pay 0% CIT, 0% VAT, 0% customs duties on equipment.
• (Cross-links: countries_that_want_you)

17. Resources

• 🛂 Immigration / Permits: migration.commission.ge · Public Service Hall (PSH)
• 💰 Tax (Revenue Service): rs.ge (Georgian-language; use Chrome translate or a local accountant)
• 🏦 National Bank of Georgia: nbg.gov.ge
• 🏦 TBC Bank (non-residents): tbcbank.ge/en/for-non-residents
• 🏦 Bank of Georgia: bog.ge
• 🇺🇸 US Embassy Tbilisi: ge.usembassy.gov · State Dept Travel Advisory
• 🍁 Canada Travel Advice: travel.gc.ca/destinations/georgia
• 🏠 Property / STR data: globalpropertyguide.com/asia/georgia · Airbtics Tbilisi
• YouTube: Expat Hub Georgia, Nomad Capitalist (Georgia episodes), Life in Tbilisi · search "moving to Georgia 2025" for recent vlogs.
• Forums / community: Facebook — "Expats in Georgia (Country)", "Tbilisi Digital Nomads", "Batumi Expats and Investors" · r/tbilisi · expathub.ge
• Relocation lawyers / accountants: Andersen in Georgia (ge.andersen.com), Gegidze & Co (gegidze.com), PB Services (pbservices.ge)

18. First Steps

1. Pick your lane:

   • Digital nomad / freelancer (American): use the 365-day visa-free stay; register as an IE at PSH on arrival; open TBC account week one.
   • Digital nomad (Canadian): arrive visa-free (90 days); apply for a residence permit within first month to stay longer.
   • Entrepreneur: register a Georgian LLC or IE + consider Virtual Zone status if in IT; open a business bank account (allow 2–4 weeks).
   • Investor / Airbnb buyer: research Tbilisi vs Batumi markets using Airbtics/AirDNA data; target $150K+ for residence permit; hire a local property lawyer.
   • Retiree: if American, first verify Social Security direct-deposit situation with SSA; if Canadian, confirm CPP/OAS portability; apply for property or long-stay residence permit; arrange international health insurance.

2. First 3 concrete actions:

   • Book a scouting trip of 2–3 weeks; stay in Tbilisi and visit one other city (Batumi for investment/beach; Kazbegi/Gudauri for mountain lifestyle; Kutaisi as budget base).
   • Go to the Public Service Hall (PSH) in Tbilisi — open a bank account, register your IE (if applicable), and get residence permit paperwork started.
   • Hire a local accountant/lawyer: budget $200–500/yr for basic IE accounting; $500–1,500 for residence permit processing; $1,000–2,500 if buying property.

3. Cross-border tax setup:

   • Americans: confirm FEIE eligibility and FBAR obligations with a US expat CPA before departure; verify Social Security direct deposit with SSA.
   • Canadians: plan non-residency departure with a cross-border accountant before you move; departure tax on deemed disposition of RRSP/investments is a material event.

4. Realistic timeline to "settled": 1–3 months to have residence permit, bank account, housing, and basic tax structure in place. The PSH system is fast; banking takes 1–3 weeks.

19. Bottom Line — by Persona