Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Bulgarian residency routes:

• Employment-based residence
• Business / self-employment routes
• Retirement / pensioner residency
• Family reunification
• EU citizen-derivative routes

Permanent residence typically after 5 years.

Montenegrin residency routes:

• Temporary residence via employment
• Business / self-employment
• Real-estate ownership
• Family reunification

Permanent residence typically after 5 years.

Common Georgian residency routes:

• Work residence - employer-sponsored or via your own Georgian LLC
• Investment residence - real estate, capital, or business investment thresholds
• Study residence - enrolment at a Georgian institution
• Family reunification - spouse, children, dependant parents
• Permanent residence - typically after 6 years of continuous lawful stay

Many nationalities can stay visa-free for 365 days, which is often used to plan the right route without time pressure.

OOD (LLC) and EOOD (single-shareholder LLC) are common structures. Formation is well-documented. Corporate tax is at a flat rate; VAT registration depends on activity.

DOO (limited liability) is the standard structure. Formation is well-documented and reasonably fast. Tax and VAT registration follow.

Standard Georgian entities and tax treatment:

• LLC (Shps) - the default structure; fast online formation
• Individual Entrepreneur (IE) - simple setup; Small Business Status offers 1% turnover tax up to ~500k GEL/year for qualifying activities
• Virtual Zone - 0% corporate income tax on qualifying IT-export profits (subject to substance and qualifying-activity tests)
• International Company Status - reduced 5% CIT for qualifying IT and maritime companies with real operations

Bordercase coordinates structure choice to match real activity and avoid substance traps.

Personal and corporate banking for residents is broadly accessible. Source-of-funds documentation matters for non-standard cases. Bordercase coordinates banking introductions.

Personal banking for residents is accessible. Corporate banking depends on activity. Bordercase coordinates introductions where useful.

Personal and corporate banking is broadly accessible to residents and non-residents through TBC, Bank of Georgia, and others - typically with USD, EUR, and GEL accounts. Compliance has tightened materially since 2023; clear source-of-funds, business narrative, and tax residency clarity matter. Bordercase coordinates introductions where useful.

Family reunification is supported. Schools (public, private, English, German, French) are concentrated in Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna.

Family inclusion on residency applications is supported. International schools are available in Podgorica and on the coast.

Family reunification is supported across most residency routes. English-language international schools are available in Tbilisi and Batumi. Healthcare is a mix of public and private; expat-grade private cover is recommended.

Risks Bordercase watches for in Bulgaria:

• Tax residency triggers
• VAT classification on cross-border services
• Processing variations between regions
• Euro adoption is in progress - operational planning needed

Risks Bordercase watches for in Montenegro:

• Tax residency triggers
• EU accession dynamics may change rules over time
• Processing variations between municipalities
• Schengen entry / exit considerations for travel planning

Risks Bordercase watches for in Georgia:

• Tax residency triggers - 183 days makes you tax-resident even without a permit
• Virtual Zone / IE status misuse - real activity must match the qualifying category, audits do happen
• Banking compliance - certain nationalities, sectors, and source-of-funds patterns face additional scrutiny
• Russia/Ukraine-related restrictions - operational and reputational considerations for some cases
• Permit timing - applying from inside Georgia vs at a consulate has different rules and risks

Typical Bulgarian residency documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of address
• Basis for residence (employment, business, etc.)
• Health insurance
• Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to Bulgarian.

Typical Montenegrin residency documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of accommodation
• Basis for residence
• Health insurance
• Family certificates

Apostilled and translated.

Typical Georgian residency documents:

• Passport (6+ months valid)
• Proof of basis (employment, business, study, family)
• Proof of accommodation
• Health insurance valid in Georgia
• Bank statements / proof of income
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled, where required)
• Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

Apostille and certified translation into Georgian where required.