According to the National Bank of Georgia, among Russian citizens in the country as of June 30, 2026, 15.1% held resident status. This means that a significant portion of Russian citizens has already transitioned from the category of tourists and temporary visitors to the status of long-term residents in Georgia. This indicator is becoming an increasingly important metric for understanding demographic and economic processes against the backdrop of active migration from Russia in recent years.
Definition of Resident Status
The National Bank of Georgia classifies as residents those citizens who have been in the country for more than one year, as well as those who intend to remain in Georgia for longer than this period. This methodology corresponds to international accounting standards adopted by the World Bank. The classification of residents is directly relevant to the calculation of the country's tourism income — residents' expenditures are excluded from this indicator, as they are not considered tourism expenses.
Expenditures of Russian Citizens
During the first two quarters of 2026, Russian citizens spent 307.1 million dollars in Georgia, which constituted 16.16% of all income received by the country during this period. However, these figures reflect a noticeable decline in activity compared to the same period of the previous year. Russian citizens' expenditures decreased by 25.05% compared to January-June 2025, indicating a slowdown in tourist flow and possible economic factors affecting the intensity of visits.
Comparison with Citizens of Other Countries
Georgia also attracts citizens of neighboring post-Soviet countries. As of June 30, 2026, among citizens of Belarus, 10.4% were considered residents, and their expenditures for the first two quarters of the year amounted to 39.6 million dollars. Citizens of Ukraine showed a higher resident rate — 14.6%, with their expenditures reaching 98.9 million dollars. Visitors from Belarus and Ukraine rank in the top 10 tourists by spending volume in Georgia, demonstrating a significant contribution to the tourism sector of the economy.
Overall Dynamics of Tourism Income
Georgia's total income from international travelers during the first six months of 2026 exceeded 1.9 billion dollars. Meanwhile, the tourism sector as a whole faced a certain decline — income from international tourism decreased by 2.03% compared to the first half of 2025. This decline reflects a general trend in tourist flow and may be related to various geopolitical and economic factors affecting international travel.