Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

German residency routes:

• Blue Card - high-skilled employees
• Freiberufler / Selbständig - freelancer / self-employed
• Employer-sponsored work permits
• Entrepreneur visa
• Family reunification

Permanent residence typically after 5 years (faster on Blue Card).

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.

Panama residency routes:

• Friendly Nations Visa - now requires economic tie (employment, real estate, or investment)
• Qualified Investor Visa - qualifying investment thresholds
• Pensionado / Retiree Visa - qualifying pension income
• Family routes

Spanish residency routes:

• Non-Lucrative Visa - passive income, no employment in Spain
• Digital Nomad Visa - remote workers and self-employed (Startups Law)
• Self-Employed Visa
• Entrepreneur Visa
• EU citizen-derivative routes

The Golden Visa has been phased out for real estate purchases.

GmbH and UG (haftungsbeschränkt) are common structures. Notary involvement is required for formation. Tax registration, trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung), and German GAAP / tax accounting standards apply.

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.

Panamanian corporations (SA) and Private Interest Foundations are widely used. Beneficial ownership reporting, CRS / FATCA compliance, and substance discussions have become material; planning must reflect current standards.

SL (Sociedad Limitada) is the standard private company. Registration involves NIE / NIF, notary, mercantile registry, and tax registration. Spanish tax residency triggers worldwide income reporting; the Beckham Law (special tax regime) may apply to eligible relocated workers.

Personal banking for residents is well established; certain non-resident structures take longer. SCHUFA history is relevant for residents. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

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.

Panamanian banking has tightened KYC and source-of-funds requirements. Non-resident applications take time; Bordercase coordinates introductions through current banking partners.

Personal banking for residents is straightforward; corporate banking depends on activity and structure. Bordercase coordinates introductions for non-standard cases.

Family reunification is well supported. Schools (public, private, bilingual, and international) are widely available; international schools are concentrated in major cities.

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.

Family reunification is supported on most residency routes. International schools (English-language and Spanish) are available in Panama City.

Family reunification is supported on most residency routes after a qualifying period. Schools (public, private, international) are widely available; the public system is generally accessible to legal residents.

Risks Bordercase watches for in Germany:

• Tax residency triggers (183 days + centre of interests)
• Late VAT registration on cross-border services
• Language and bureaucratic friction in some Länder
• Freiberufler vs Gewerbe classification disputes

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

Risks Bordercase watches for in Panama:

• Reputational / de-banking risks for poorly structured offshore-only setups
• Tax residency analysis for clients with other obligations (CRS / FATCA)
• Processing delays at Migration
• UBO reporting is now active

Risks Bordercase watches for in Spain:

• Tax residency triggers - 183 days + centre of interests
• Beckham Law (special regime) eligibility
• Autonomous-community tax variation
• Hacienda audits when planning is unclear
• Past Schengen overstays must be disclosed

Typical German residency documents:

• Passport
• Recognised qualifications (where required)
• Contract or business plan
• Accommodation evidence (Anmeldung)
• Health insurance
• Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to German.

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.

Typical Panama documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
• Proof of economic tie (employment letter, property deed, or investment evidence)
• Proof of address
• Marriage / birth certificates for family

All documents apostilled and translated where required.

Typical Spanish residency documents:

• Passport
• NIE (foreigner identification number)
• Criminal record certificate with apostille
• Proof of income / assets
• Health insurance with full cover in Spain
• Accommodation evidence
• Marriage / birth certificates for family routes