On Citizenship of Georgia

Organic Law of Georgia

On Citizenship of Georgia

Article 1. Scope of regulation of the Law This Law determines the basic principles of citizenship of Georgia, establishes the legal status of citizens of Georgia and the grounds for acquisition and termination of citizenship of Georgia.🔗

Article 2. Definition of terms For the purposes of this Law, the terms used herein have the following meaning:🔗

a) territory of Georgia – the territory within the state borders of Georgia, as well as maritime and air vessels flying the state flag of Georgia;

b) residence in Georgia – the presence of a person on the territory of Georgia within the period of time determined by this Law;

c) continuous residence in Georgia – residence of a person in Georgia, if he/she has not left the territory of Georgia for a total of more than 90 days during a year (leaving the territory of Georgia for the purpose of study for a period of up to 2 years and for the purpose of treatment shall not be counted in this period). For the purposes of this Law, a year means a period consisting of continuous 365 days (in the case of a leap year – 366 days);

d) change of citizenship – acquisition of citizenship of Georgia by naturalisation, except for granting citizenship of Georgia by way of exception, or termination of citizenship of Georgia;

e) minor – a person under 18 years of age;

f) unknown parent – a parent whose identity and/or citizenship affiliation is unknown;

g) honorary citizenship of Georgia – a connection of a foreigner with Georgia which does not give rise to the rights and obligations determined for a citizen of Georgia by the legislation of Georgia;

h) recipient of support − persons determined by paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 12 of the Civil Code of Georgia;

i) family member − the spouse, child, parent, adopter, adopted child, sister, brother, grandfather, grandmother, grandchild of a citizen of Georgia or a foreigner, a minor, a recipient of support or a person incapable of work under the guardianship or curatorship and/or in the full care of a citizen of Georgia or a foreigner;

j) ancestor – a representative of five generations of the ascending line of a person.

Organic Law of Georgia of 20 March 2015 No. 3400 – website, 31.03.2015.

Organic Law of Georgia of 21 July 2018 No. 3260 – website, 06.08.2018.

Article 3. Citizenship of Georgia 1. Citizenship of Georgia is a legal connection of a person with Georgia.🔗

2. Single citizenship is established in Georgia.

3. A citizen of Georgia may at the same time be a citizen of another country only in the cases provided for by Articles 17 and 21¹ of this Law.

4. No one may be restricted in the right to change citizenship, except in the cases provided for by this Law and international treaties of Georgia.

5. Deprivation of citizenship of Georgia is inadmissible.

Organic Law of Georgia of 21 July 2018 No. 3260 – website, 06.08.2018.

Article 4. Legal Status of Citizens of Georgia 1. Citizens of Georgia are equal before the law regardless of race, skin colour, language, sex, religion, political and other views, national, ethnic and social belonging, origin, property and rank status, place of residence and any other characteristic.🔗

2. Citizens of Georgia are guaranteed the rights and freedoms defined by the legislation of Georgia and recognised by international law.

3. Citizens of Georgia are obliged to observe the Constitution of Georgia and other normative acts, its territorial integrity, and to be loyal to the interests of Georgia.

4. Georgia protects the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of citizens of Georgia on the territory of Georgia and beyond its borders.

Article 5. Retention of Citizenship 1. Marriage of a citizen of Georgia to a foreigner or to a stateless person having status in Georgia, or divorce from such person, does not entail a change in the citizenship of the spouses.🔗

2. A change of citizenship by one of the spouses does not entail a change in the citizenship of the other spouse.

3. Divorce of the spouses does not entail a change in the citizenship of their children.

4. A change of citizenship by one or both parents does not entail a change in the citizenship of his/her/their children.

5. Adoption of a minor who is a citizen of Georgia by a citizen/citizens of another country does not entail a change in the citizenship of the minor.

6. Residence of a citizen of Georgia outside the borders of Georgia does not entail termination of Georgian citizenship.

Article 6. Change of Citizenship of a Minor and a Supported Person 1. A change in the citizenship of a minor (except for loss of Georgian citizenship) is permissible on the basis of an application by his/her parents or another legal representative.🔗

2. A change in the citizenship of a minor who has reached the age of 14 (except for loss of Georgian citizenship) is permissible only with his/her consent.

3. A change in the citizenship of a supported person (including a person provided for by paragraph 2 of this Article – if he/she is a supported person) (except for loss of Georgian citizenship) is permissible with the consent of the supporter, unless otherwise determined by a court judgment.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3400 of 20 March 2015 – website, 31.03.2015.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3260 of 21 July 2018 – website, 06.08.2018.

Article 7. Honorary Citizenship of Georgia A foreigner who, through his/her scientific and/or public activity, has special merit before Georgia and humanity, or has a profession and qualification in which Georgia is interested, and for whom the granting of honorary citizenship of Georgia follows from state interests, may be granted honorary citizenship of Georgia with his/her consent.🔗

Article 8. Oath of a citizen of Georgia A person who has acquired Georgian citizenship by naturalization, except for the cases provided for by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 12 of this Law, shall take in the Georgian language and confirm by signature the oath of allegiance to Georgia: “I, (name, surname), become a citizen of Georgia and swear to serve Georgia faithfully, to protect its Constitution and all other laws, the independence and territorial integrity of Georgia; I recognize Georgian as the state language of Georgia, and in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia – also Abkhaz; I undertake the obligation to respect the culture and national traditions of Georgia.“. Chapter II Acquisition of Georgian citizenship🔗

Article 9. Forms of acquisition of Georgian citizenship 1. Georgian citizenship is acquired:🔗

a) by birth;

b) by naturalization.

2. Naturalization is carried out by the President of Georgia by granting Georgian citizenship.

3. The types of naturalization are:

a) granting of Georgian citizenship under the ordinary procedure;

b) granting of Georgian citizenship under the simplified procedure;

c) granting of Georgian citizenship under the exceptional procedure;

d) granting of Georgian citizenship under the restoration procedure.

Article 10. Acquisition of Georgian citizenship by birth Georgian citizenship shall be acquired by birth by:🔗

a) a person one of whose parents is a citizen of Georgia at the moment of his/her birth;

b) a person born in the territory of Georgia as a result of extracorporeal fertilization (surrogacy), if the country of citizenship of neither of his/her parents considers him/her as its citizen;

c) a child of stateless persons having status in Georgia, who was born in the territory of Georgia;

d) a person born in the territory of Georgia, one of whose parents is a stateless person having status in Georgia, and the other parent is unknown.

Article 11. Citizenship of a child of unknown parents A minor who lives in Georgia and both of whose parents are unknown shall be considered a citizen of Georgia until the contrary is established.🔗

Article 12. Granting of Georgian citizenship to an adult person under the ordinary procedure 1. An adult person shall be granted Georgian citizenship under the ordinary procedure if he/she meets the following requirements:🔗

a) has continuously resided in Georgia on a lawful basis during the last 10 years up to the day of submission of the application for granting Georgian citizenship;

b) has knowledge of the Georgian state language within the established scope;

c) has knowledge of the history of Georgia and the basic principles of law within the established scope;

d) works in Georgia, and/or owns immovable property in Georgia, or carries out entrepreneurial activity in the territory of Georgia, or holds a share or stocks in an enterprise of Georgia.

1¹. A stateless adult person having status in Georgia shall be granted Georgian citizenship under the ordinary procedure if he/she has continuously resided in Georgia on a lawful basis with the status of a stateless person having status in Georgia during the last 5 years up to the day of submission of the application for granting Georgian citizenship and meets the requirements established by subparagraphs „b“−„d“ of paragraph 1 of this article and other requirements established by this Law.

2. (Removed – 20 March 2015, No. 3400).

2¹. The requirements of subparagraphs „b“–„d“ of paragraph 1 of this article shall not apply to the granting of Georgian citizenship under the ordinary procedure to a recipient of support.

3. The requirements of subparagraphs „b“ and „c“ of paragraph 1 of this article shall not apply to the granting of Georgian citizenship under the ordinary procedure to a person who has such a persistent physical, mental, intellectual and/or sensory impairment as makes it impossible to verify whether or not he/she meets the requirements of the said subparagraphs.

4. The requirement of subparagraph „d“ of paragraph 1 of this article shall not apply to the granting of Georgian citizenship under the ordinary procedure to a refugee.

5. The scope of knowledge of the Georgian state language and of the history of Georgia and the basic principles of law provided for by subparagraphs „b“ and „c“ of paragraph 1 of this article shall be determined by the provision provided for by paragraph 1 of Article 28 of this Law.

Organic Law of Georgia of 20 March 2015 No. 3400 – website, 31 March 2015.

Organic Law of Georgia of 21 July 2018 No. 3260 – website, 06.08.2018.

Organic Law of Georgia of 1 November 2023 No. 3627 – website, 21 November 2023.

Organic Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 881 – website, 07.07.2025.

Article 13. Granting of Georgian citizenship to a minor by the ordinary procedure 1. A minor who has not acquired Georgian citizenship by birth shall be granted Georgian citizenship by the ordinary procedure if one of his/her parents is a citizen of Georgia.🔗

2. A minor shall be granted Georgian citizenship by the ordinary procedure if he/she has been adopted by a citizen of Georgia.

3. A minor refugee born in the territory of Georgia or a stateless minor person having status in Georgia, who has been residing in Georgia for 5 years, shall be granted Georgian citizenship by the ordinary procedure without examination of the grounds provided for by Article 16 of this Law.

Law of Georgia No. 881 of 26 June 2025 – website, 07.07.2025.

Article 14. Granting of Georgian citizenship by the simplified procedure 1. A person married to a citizen of Georgia who has been continuously residing in Georgia on a lawful basis for the last 5 years up to the day of submission of the application for the granting of Georgian citizenship shall be granted Georgian citizenship by the simplified procedure if he/she meets the requirements of subparagraphs „b“ and „c“ of paragraph 1 of Article 12 of this Law.🔗

2. The requirements of Article 12 of this Law shall not apply to the granting of Georgian citizenship by the simplified procedure to a person having the status of a repatriate. A person having the status of a repatriate shall be granted Georgian citizenship by the simplified procedure in accordance with the regulation approved by a normative act of the Citizenship Commission (hereinafter – the Commission) – a resolution of the Commission.

Law of Georgia No. 3260 of 21 July 2018 – website, 06.08.2018.

Article 15. Granting of Georgian citizenship to a citizen of another country A citizen of another country shall have the right to apply to the authorised body with a request for the granting of Georgian citizenship. A Decree of the President of Georgia on the granting of Georgian citizenship to a citizen of another country, except for a Decree of the President of Georgia on the granting of Georgian citizenship by the exceptional procedure, shall enter into force upon receipt by the competent bodies of Georgia of a document confirming the departure of that person from the citizenship of another country.🔗

Law of Georgia No. 3260 of 21 July 2018 – website, 06.08.2018.

Article 16. Grounds for refusal to acquire Georgian citizenship by naturalization 1. A person may not acquire Georgian citizenship by naturalization if:🔗

a) he/she has committed an international crime against peace and humanity;

b) he/she participated in an especially grave crime directed against a person, the State, public security and order, as provided for by the legislation of Georgia;

c) proceeding from the interests of protecting Georgia's state security and/or public safety, it is inexpedient to grant him/her Georgian citizenship;

d) he/she is wanted by law enforcement bodies of Georgia or another country or the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and/or extradition or expulsion proceedings are pending against him/her.

2. The interests of protecting Georgia's state security and/or public safety provided for by subparagraph “c” of paragraph 1 of this Article include such cases when:

a) the person's presence on the territory of Georgia poses a threat to Georgia's relations with other states and/or international organizations;

b) there is information that, with a high degree of probability, indicates the person's connection with:

b.a) the armed forces of a country/organization hostile to Georgia's defence and security;

b.b) intelligence services of another state;

b.c) terrorist and/or extremist organizations;

b.d) illegal trafficking of narcotics, arms, weapons of mass destruction or their components, human trafficking (trafficking) and/or other types of criminal organizations (including transnational criminal organizations).

3. Information about the circumstance provided for by subparagraph “c” of paragraph 1 of this Article shall be provided to the body considering the case in such a form that no damage is caused to state secrets, the interests of protecting Georgia's state security and/or public safety.

4. If the ground for refusal to acquire Georgian citizenship by naturalization provided for by subparagraph “c” of paragraph 1 of this Article exists, the final decision on the issue of Georgian citizenship shall be made by the President of Georgia. In such a case, the decision of the President of Georgia on granting Georgian citizenship shall be substantiated.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3260 of 21 July 2018 – website, 6 August 2018.

Article 17. Granting of citizenship of Georgia by way of exception 1. The President of Georgia may grant citizenship of Georgia by way of exception to a citizen of another country who has special merit before Georgia or for whom the granting of citizenship of Georgia follows from state interests.🔗

2. When assessing the state interests provided for by paragraph 1 of this article, the following circumstances, among others, shall be taken into account:

a) a citizen of another country considers Georgia his/her homeland and he or his ancestor is:

a.a) a person residing in the occupied territory of Georgia or a person forcibly displaced from this territory;

a.b) a person who emigrated at various times for political reasons or due to a grave socio-economic situation;

b) a citizen of another country makes such an investment in Georgia or he has made such an investment in Georgia that he makes or has made a significant contribution to the development of the state's economy;

c) a citizen of another country is successful in the field of sport, science and/or art and wishes to continue his/her activity in the name of Georgia.

3. A person provided for by subparagraph „a“ of paragraph 2 of this article shall, within the established scope, for the granting of citizenship of Georgia by way of exception, know:

a) the state language of Georgia;

b) the history of Georgia and the basic foundations of law.

4. The requirements of subparagraphs „a“ and „b“ of paragraph 3 of this article shall not apply to the granting of citizenship of Georgia by way of exception to a person who has such a severe physical, mental, intellectual and/or sensory impairment that makes it impossible to verify whether he/she meets the requirements of the said subparagraphs.

5. For the purpose of confirming the fact of making the investment provided for by subparagraph „b“ of paragraph 2 of this article, the body considering the case shall request information from the relevant competent body.

Organic Law of Georgia of 21 July 2018 No. 3260 – website, 06.08.2018.

Organic Law of Georgia of 1 November 2023 No. 3627 – website, 21.11.2023.

Article 18. Granting of Georgian citizenship by the procedure of restoration 1. Georgian citizenship shall be granted by the procedure of restoration to a person whose Georgian citizenship was terminated:🔗

a) unlawfully;

b) by renunciation of Georgian citizenship;

c) as a result of the choice of a parent/parents.

2. A person shall be granted Georgian citizenship by the procedure of restoration if he/she meets the following requirements:

a) knows the state language of Georgia within the established scope;

b) the grounds provided for by Article 16 of this Law do not exist.

3. Georgian citizenship shall be considered unlawfully terminated if a person loses Georgian citizenship without the existence of the ground provided for by paragraph 1 of Article 21 of this Law.

4. When granting Georgian citizenship by the procedure of restoration on the ground of unlawful termination of Georgian citizenship, the requirements of paragraph 2 of this Article shall not apply to the person.

5. On the ground of termination of Georgian citizenship as a result of the choice of a parent/parents, Georgian citizenship may be granted to a person by the procedure of restoration upon his/her attainment of full age.

6. The requirement of subparagraph „a“ of paragraph 2 of this Article shall not apply to the granting of Georgian citizenship by the procedure of restoration to a person who has such a severe physical, mental, intellectual and/or sensory impairment that makes it impossible to verify whether he/she meets the requirement of the said subparagraph.

7. (Removed – 21.07.2018, No. 3260).

Organic Law of Georgia of 20 March 2015 No. 3400 – website, 31.03.2015.

Organic Law of Georgia of 21 July 2018 No. 3260 – website, 06.08.2018.

Organic Law of Georgia of 1 November 2023 No. 3627 – website, 21.11.2023.

Article 19. Types of termination of Georgian citizenship Georgian citizenship shall be terminated for a citizen of Georgia:🔗

a) by renunciation of Georgian citizenship;

b) by loss of Georgian citizenship;

c) in the case provided for by Article 11 of this Law.

Article 20. Renunciation of Georgian citizenship 1. A citizen of Georgia has the right to renounce Georgian citizenship.🔗

2. A citizen of Georgia may be refused renunciation of Georgian citizenship if:

a) he/she has an unfulfilled military or other obligation towards Georgia;

b) he/she is charged with the commission of a crime provided for by the Criminal Code of Georgia or there is a court judgment that has entered into legal force against him/her and which must be enforced.

3. The Decree of the President of Georgia on the renunciation of Georgian citizenship by a citizen of Georgia shall enter into force:

a) upon receipt by the competent authorities of Georgia of the document confirming the person's acquisition of the citizenship of another country;

b) on the 15th day after its signing, if the person has submitted a document issued by the competent authority of another country confirming that, in the event of renunciation of Georgian citizenship, the citizen of Georgia will necessarily be granted the citizenship of that country.

Article 21. Loss of Georgian Citizenship 1. A citizen of Georgia shall lose Georgian citizenship if:🔗

a) he/she enters the military service or the police or security service of another country without the permission of the competent authorities of Georgia;

b) he/she acquires Georgian citizenship by submitting forged documents;

c) he/she acquires the citizenship of another country, except in the case provided for by Article 21¹ of this Law.

2. The "a" subparagraph of the first paragraph of this Article shall not apply to a citizen of Georgia who was granted Georgian citizenship under an exceptional procedure or who retained Georgian citizenship upon acquiring the citizenship of another country and who enters the military service or the police service of the country of his/her citizenship.

3. The "c" subparagraph of the first paragraph of this Article shall not apply to a citizen of Georgia who was granted Georgian citizenship under an exceptional procedure.

4. A citizen of Georgia may not lose Georgian citizenship on the ground provided for by the "a" or "c" subparagraph of the first paragraph of this Article, if that ground was eliminated before its discovery.

5. The competent authorities of Georgia provided for by the "a" subparagraph of the first paragraph of this Article shall be determined by a Resolution of the Government of Georgia.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3260 of 21 July 2018 – website, 06.08.2018

Article 21¹. Retention of Georgian citizenship in the case of acquisition of the citizenship of another country 1. A citizen of Georgia shall retain Georgian citizenship if, before acquiring the citizenship of another country, he/she receives the consent of the State of Georgia to retain Georgian citizenship.🔗

2. In the case provided for by the first paragraph of this Article, consent to retain Georgian citizenship shall be granted if the connection of the citizen of Georgia with Georgia is deemed credible.

3. A minor who, together with Georgian citizenship, acquired the citizenship of another country by birth shall retain Georgian citizenship from birth until attaining the age of 18. If no application for the retention of citizenship for the minor is submitted within the said period, his/her Georgian citizenship shall be terminated. Retention of Georgian citizenship for a minor shall be permissible on the basis of an application of the parents or the legal representative. In the case of submission of an application by one of the parents, retention of Georgian citizenship for the minor shall be permissible with the consent of the other parent.

4. In the case of acquisition of the citizenship of another country, a citizen of Georgia cannot retain Georgian citizenship if the retention of Georgian citizenship for him/her does not correspond to the interests of protecting the state security and/or public security of Georgia.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3260 of 21 July 2018 – website, 06.08.2018

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3627 of 1 November 2023 – website, 21.11.2023

Article 22. Submission of an application on the matter of Georgian citizenship 1. An interested person shall submit an application on the matter of Georgian citizenship in person or through a person with representative authority to a legal entity of public law operating in the field of governance of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia – the Public Services Development Agency (hereinafter – the Agency) or to a diplomatic representation or consular institution of Georgia abroad.🔗

2. An application on the matter of Georgian citizenship of a minor shall be submitted by his/her legal representative.

2¹. An application on the matter of Georgian citizenship of a recipient of support may be submitted only with the assistance of a supporter, unless otherwise determined by a court judgment.

3. In the case provided for by Article 17 of this Law, a person shall submit an application on the granting of Georgian citizenship to the Agency or to a diplomatic representation or consular institution of Georgia abroad.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3400 of 20 March 2015 – website, 31.03.2015

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3260 of 21 July 2018 – website, 06.08.2018

Article 23. Submission on the loss of Georgian citizenship Upon discovery by a citizen of Georgia of a ground for the loss of Georgian citizenship, a state body shall apply to the Agency with a submission on the loss of Georgian citizenship.🔗

Article 24. Consideration of the Issue of Citizenship of Georgia 1. The Agency shall consider, with the assistance of the Commission, an application on matters of acquisition of citizenship of Georgia by naturalization and retention of citizenship of Georgia.🔗

2. The Commission shall consist of 6 members appointed by the Chairperson of the Agency. 2 members of the Commission (including the Chairperson of the Commission) shall be appointed from among employees of the Agency, 2 members from among public servants of the State Security Service of Georgia, and 2 members from among public servants of the Administration of the President of Georgia, upon the nomination of these agencies. In the event of a tie vote, the vote of the Chairperson shall be decisive.

3. If a member of the Commission is released from service in the organization that he/she represents in the Commission, this shall automatically result in termination of the status of the member of the Commission.

4. The rules of activity of the Commission shall be determined by the regulations approved by the Commission.

5. The Commission shall have a Secretariat, which shall provide organizational and technical support for the activities of the Commission. The functions of the Secretariat shall be performed by the relevant service of the Agency.

6. The Commission shall ensure the establishment of the existence of the conditions for retention of citizenship of Georgia and for granting citizenship of Georgia to a citizen of another country by way of exception (except for the conditions determined by the requirements provided for by paragraph 3 of Article 17 of this Law). On the basis of a decision of the Commission, the Agency shall prepare the relevant conclusion.

6¹. The level of knowledge of the state language of Georgia, the history of Georgia and the basic foundations of law of a person interested in being granted citizenship of Georgia shall, in the cases provided for by this Law, be tested before the submission of an application for granting citizenship of Georgia to the Agency or to a diplomatic representation of Georgia abroad or to a consular institution. The Agency shall ensure the testing of the level of knowledge of the state language of Georgia, the history of Georgia and the basic foundations of law of the said person.

6². If a person has such a severe physical, mental, intellectual and/or sensory impairment that makes it impossible to test his/her level of knowledge of the state language of Georgia, the history of Georgia and the basic foundations of law, the Commission shall take a decision on exempting this person from the said testing.

6³. The result of the testing of the level of knowledge of the state language of Georgia, the history of Georgia and the basic foundations of law, which gives the relevant person the right to submit to the Agency or to a diplomatic representation of Georgia abroad or to a consular institution an application for granting citizenship of Georgia, shall be valid for 1 year.

6⁴. The procedure for submitting an application for granting Georgian citizenship to the Agency or to a diplomatic representation of Georgia abroad or to a consular institution, for the purpose of verifying the level of knowledge of the state language of Georgia, the basic foundations of the history and law of Georgia by a person interested in being granted Georgian citizenship, the rule for verifying his/her level of knowledge and the amount of the fee for the corresponding service shall be determined by order of the Minister of Justice of Georgia. The said fee shall not exceed the maximum rate of the expedited service fee established by the legislation of Georgia, payable in Georgia, in force on 7 June 2023, for the consideration of the issue of granting Georgian citizenship under the ordinary procedure and the preparation of the corresponding conclusion.

7. The Agency shall consider an application and a submission on the acquisition of Georgian citizenship by birth, on the determination of Georgian citizenship and on the termination of Georgian citizenship and shall prepare the corresponding conclusion.

8. In the case of acquisition of the citizenship of another country, the decision on granting consent to a person to retain Georgian citizenship shall be taken by the President of Georgia in accordance with the procedure established by this Law.

9. The Agency's conclusions on granting Georgian citizenship under the ordinary procedure or refusal to grant it, on granting Georgian citizenship under the simplified procedure or refusal to grant it, on granting Georgian citizenship under the exceptional procedure or refusal to grant it, on granting Georgian citizenship under the restoration procedure or refusal to grant it, on granting Georgian citizenship under the special procedure or refusal to grant it, on retention of Georgian citizenship and on termination of Georgian citizenship shall be sent to the President of Georgia for the adoption of a final decision.

10. If, without a submission on the loss of Georgian citizenship, it becomes known to the Agency that there exists a ground for the loss of Georgian citizenship by a citizen of Georgia, the Agency shall consider the issue of the loss of Georgian citizenship and shall submit the relevant materials to the President of Georgia.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3260 of 21 July 2018 – website, 06.08.2018.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3627 of 1 November 2023 – website, 21.11.2023.

Article 25. Decision of the issue of Georgian citizenship 1. The final decision on the issue of granting, retention, refusal to grant or termination of Georgian citizenship shall be taken by the President of Georgia.🔗

2. In the case of satisfaction of an application for granting, retention or termination of Georgian citizenship and of a submission on the loss of Georgian citizenship, the President of Georgia shall issue a decree, and in the case of adoption of a negative decision on this application and submission – an ordinance.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3260 of 21 July 2018 – website, 06.08.2018.

Article 26. Time limit for consideration and resolution of the issue of Georgian citizenship 1. The time limit for consideration and resolution of an application and a submission on issues of Georgian citizenship shall not exceed 3 months.🔗

2. In the event of adoption of a negative decision on an application for acquisition of Georgian citizenship by naturalization, the person shall have the right, on the same grounds, to apply to the Agency or to a diplomatic representation or consular office of Georgia abroad 6 months after the adoption of the negative decision.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3260 of 21 July 2018 – website, 06.08.2018.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3627 of 1 November 2023 – website, 21.11.2023.

Article 27. Service fee 1. When submitting an application on the issue of Georgian citizenship, the applicant shall pay a service fee in the amount and in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of Georgia, except for cases provided for by the legislation of Georgia.🔗

2. In the event of restoration of Georgian citizenship, the person shall be refunded the respective service fee if his/her Georgian citizenship was unlawfully terminated.

Article 28. Procedure for consideration of an application and a submission on issues of Georgian citizenship 1. The procedure for consideration of an application for granting or termination of Georgian citizenship and of a submission on loss of Georgian citizenship, as well as the procedure for granting honorary citizenship of Georgia, shall be determined by the regulation approved by a resolution of the Commission.🔗

2. Communication with the applicant may be carried out electronically, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

3. An administrative-legal act of the Agency shall enter into force upon its publication in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

4. Publication on the official website of the Agency shall also be considered as publication of an administrative-legal act of the Agency.

5. In the event of issuance of an administrative-legal act of the Agency using automatic means of management, the counting of the time limits related to this decision shall begin upon its publication.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3260 of 21 July 2018 – website, 06.08.2018.

Article 29. Appeal against a decision made on the issue of Georgian citizenship1. A decision made by the President of Georgia on the issue of Georgian citizenship, except for a decision on termination of Georgian citizenship, shall not be subject to appeal to a court. When a decision made by the President of Georgia on the issue of termination of Georgian citizenship by a person is appealed to a court, the defendant shall be the President of Georgia.🔗

(The normative content of the first sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 29, which excludes the possibility of appealing to a court a negative decision made by the President of Georgia on granting citizenship under the ordinary, simplified, restoration or special procedure of naturalization, was declared invalid) - Judgment of the Constitutional Court of Georgia No. 3/3/1601 of 7 March 2025 – website, 11.03.2025.

2. A conclusion/decision adopted by the Agency on the issue of Georgian citizenship, which independently produces legal effects, is an administrative-legal act.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3260 of 21 July 2018 – website, 06.08.2018.

Judgment of the Constitutional Court of Georgia No. 3/3/1601 of 7 March 2025 – website, 11.03.2025.

Article 30. (Repealed) Organic Law of Georgia No. 5141 of 27 May 2016 - website, 04.06.2016.🔗

Organic Law of Georgia No. 2481 of 6 June 2018 – website, 21.06.2018.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 490 of 25 May 2021 – website, 27.05.2021.

Article 30¹. Determination of Georgian citizenship of persons residing in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and the territory of the Tskhinvali region (former South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast) 1. The following shall be considered citizens of Georgia, except for persons who acquired or acquire Georgian citizenship in accordance with this Law:🔗

a) a person born in Georgia before 21 December 1991 who resided in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia or in the territory of the Tskhinvali region (former South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast) before 21 December 1991, has not acquired citizenship of another country and in respect of whom none of the circumstances provided for by Article 16 of this Law exists;

b) a child of a person born in Georgia before 21 December 1991 and residing in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia or in the territory of the Tskhinvali region (former South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast) before 21 December 1991, who has not acquired citizenship of another country and in respect of whom none of the circumstances provided for by Article 16 of this Law exists.

2. An interested person shall, in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article, apply to the Agency or to a diplomatic representation or consular office of Georgia abroad with an application for determination of Georgian citizenship.

3. The Agency, with the participation of the relevant competent bodies, shall consider the application and verify the accuracy and reliability of the information indicated therein. The Agency shall, within 1 month from receipt of the said application, adopt a decision on determination of Georgian citizenship in accordance with this Article or on refusal to determine Georgian citizenship.

4. The procedure for consideration of an application and adoption of a decision provided for by paragraph 3 of this Article shall be determined by the procedure established by the Government of Georgia.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 2481 of 6 June 2018 – website, 21.06.2018.

Article 30². Determination of Georgian citizenship 1. The following shall be considered citizens of Georgia, except for persons who acquired Georgian citizenship in accordance with this Law or who acquire Georgian citizenship in accordance with this Law:🔗

a) a person born before 31 March 1975, who lived in Georgia for a total of not less than 5 years, was on the territory of Georgia as of 31 March 1993, and who has not acquired the citizenship of another country;

b) a person born after 31 March 1975, who as of 31 March 1993 lived in Georgia and who has not acquired the citizenship of another country;

c) a person born on the territory of Georgia, who after 21 December 1991 left the territory of Georgia, and therefore cannot satisfy the requirements of subparagraphs “a” and “b” of this paragraph, and who has not acquired the citizenship of another country.

2. The commission existing under the executive body of the respective municipality (in the municipality of the city of Tbilisi – under the Mayor of the city of Tbilisi) that establishes the fact of a person's residence (presence) in the territory of the municipality shall issue to the person, no later than 7 working days from the person's application with an appropriate application, a certificate confirming the fact of the person's residence and/or presence on a specific day in the territory of the municipality, which may be a document confirming the existence of one of the circumstances provided for by the relevant subparagraph of paragraph 1 of this Article for considering the person a citizen of Georgia. The procedure for the creation and activity of the said commission shall be determined by a model regulation approved by order of the Minister of Justice of Georgia.

3. The authority provided for by paragraph 2 of this Article is an authority delegated by the State to the municipality, over the exercise of which sectoral supervision shall be exercised by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia in accordance with the procedure established by the Organic Law of Georgia “Local Self-Government Code”.

4. The commission existing under the Gamgebeli of the Akhalgori, Eredvi, Kurta, Tigva or Azhara municipality, respectively, and establishing the fact of a person's residence (presence) in the territory of the municipality, shall have the authority to establish the fact of a person's residence (presence) in the territory of the Akhalgori, Eredvi, Kurta, Tigva or Azhara municipality.

5. The procedure for determining Georgian citizenship of persons residing in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and on the territory of the Tskhinvali region (former South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast) shall be determined by Article 30¹ of this Law.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 490 of 25 May 2021 – website, 27 May 2021.

Article 31. (Repealed) Organic Law of Georgia No. 490 of 25 May 2021 – website, 27 May 2021.🔗

Article 31¹. Special rule for granting Georgian citizenship to a person born in the territory of Georgia A person born in the territory of Georgia who is not granted Georgian citizenship in accordance with Article 30² of this Law has the right to acquire Georgian citizenship if he/she meets the requirements of subparagraphs „b“ and „c“ of the first paragraph of Article 12 of this Law and there are no grounds provided for by Article 16 of the same Law.🔗

Organic Law of Georgia of 25 May 2021 No. 490 – website, 27.05.2021.

Article 32. Invalid normative act Upon the entry into force of this Law, the Organic Law of Georgia of 25 March 1993 "On Georgian Citizenship" (Bulletin of the Parliament of Georgia, No. 5, March, 1993, Art. 66) shall be declared invalid.🔗

Article 32¹. Legal regulation relating to persons declared incapable by a court before 1 April 2015 during the transitional period🔗

1. A change of citizenship of a person declared incapable by a court before 1 April 2015 (except for the loss of Georgian citizenship) shall be permissible on the basis of an application of his/her legal representative until an individual assessment of the incapable person is carried out.

2. An application on the matter of Georgian citizenship of a person declared incapable by a court before 1 April 2015 shall be submitted by his/her legal representative until an individual assessment of the incapable person is carried out.

Organic Law of Georgia of 20 March 2015 No. 3400 – website, 31.03.2015.

Article 32². Temporary right to request restoration of Georgian citizenship 1. A former citizen of Georgia who lost Georgian citizenship due to the acquisition of citizenship of another country has the right, until 1 January 2027, to apply to the Agency with a request for the granting of Georgian citizenship by way of restoration under the conditions defined by this article.🔗

2. A person provided for by paragraph 1 of this article shall be granted Georgian citizenship by way of restoration if he/she meets the following requirements:

a) he/she knows the state language of Georgia within the established scope;

b) there are no grounds provided for by Article 16 of this Law.

3. The requirement of subparagraph „a“ of paragraph 2 of this article shall not apply to the granting of Georgian citizenship by way of restoration to a person who has such a severe physical, mental, intellectual and/or sensory impairment as makes it impossible to verify whether he/she meets the requirement of the said subparagraph.

4. Article 15 of this Law shall not apply to a former citizen of Georgia who lost Georgian citizenship due to the acquisition of citizenship of another country, when granting Georgian citizenship by way of restoration on the basis of this article.

5. In the case of granting Georgian citizenship by way of restoration to a person provided for by paragraph 1 of this article, Georgian citizenship shall also be granted to his/her minor child. A person who has reached the age of 14 shall be granted Georgian citizenship on the basis of this article with his/her consent.

6. A citizen of Georgia in respect of whom no decision on the loss of Georgian citizenship due to the acquisition of citizenship of another country had been adopted before 15 August 2018 has the right, until 1 January 2027, to apply to the Agency with a request for the retention of Georgian citizenship.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3260 of 21 July 2018 – website, 06.08.2018.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 5045 of 1 October 2019 – website, 04.10.2019.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 490 of 25 May 2021 – website, 27.05.2021.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 2443 of 16 December 2022 – website, 21.12.2022.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3627 of 1 November 2023 – website, 21.11.2023.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 155 of 13 December 2024 – website, 29.12.2024.

Article 33. Measure to be implemented in connection with the entry into force of the Law The President of Georgia shall, within 2 months from the entry into force of this Law, ensure that the relevant subordinate acts are in compliance with this Law.🔗

Article 34. Entry into force of the Law 1. This Law shall enter into force on the 30th day after publication.🔗

2. (Removed – 25 May 2021, No. 490).

3. Articles 30² and 31¹ of this Law shall be in force until 1 January 2027.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 3260 of 21 July 2018 – website, 6 August 2018.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 490 of 25 May 2021 – website, 27 May 2021.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 2443 of 16 December 2022 – website, 21 December 2022.

Organic Law of Georgia No. 155 of 13 December 2024 – website, 29 December 2024.

President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili

Kutaisi,

30 April 2014

No. 2319-IIs