Employer of Record in Georgia

Skuad’s Employer of Record Georgia (EOR) solutions make business expansion to Georgia easy and hassle-free. Our unique HR platform allows companies to hire exceptionally talented employees in Georgia, without having to set up a separate legal entity. It streamlines the process of hiring and onboarding a remote team by handling payroll management, taxation, and other legal compliances. Book a demo with Skuad today.

Georgia at a Glance

Population: 3.7 million

Currency: Georgian lari (GEL)

Capital city: Tbilisi

Languages spoken: Georgian and 13 other regional languages

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): USD 24.78 billion

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Employment in Georgia

Georgia is a former Soviet Republic country that enjoys a strategic location at the intersection of Asia and Europe. It forms a part of the Caucasus region and has the Black Sea to its west. It is bordered on the north by Russia, and by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey to the south. This strategic location affords the Georgian economy a unique set of opportunities for growth and development.

While most of the decade following its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 was riddled with civil unrest and political instability, Georgia’s pro-western policies have had a tremendous impact on its economy.

Several multinational organizations are gearing up to hire international employees and create remote teams in Georgia. The labor laws in Georgia are governed by the Labor Code of Georgia, and understanding the peculiarities of the local labor and employment legislation can prove to be a challenge for such organizations.

In such cases, tying up with a local partner well versed in local legislation can help in avoiding non-compliance due to oversight. Skuad’s Georgia EOR solutions can streamline the hiring process in a manner that is efficient and 100% compliant.

Here are some relevant aspects of employment in Georgia.

Entitlement	Explanation
Statutory Working Hours	The standard workweek in Georgia is 40 hours (eight hours per day). However, Employees aged between 16 to 18 years can only work up to 36 hours every week. Employees aged between 14 to 16 years can only work up to 26 hours every week.
Overtime Eligibility	Employees working overtime in Georgia are compensated at the rate of 150% of the basic wages. However, in no case can the overtime exceed 48 hours a week, and employers must ensure at least 12 hours rest between consecutive workdays.
Paid Public Holidays	The paid public holidays observed in Georgia are as follows. New Year’s Day: January 01, 2021 Orthodox Christmas Day: January 07, 2021 Orthodox Epiphany: January 19, 2021 Mother’s Day: March 03, 2021 International Women’s Day: March 08, 2021 National Unity Day: April 09, 2021 Orthodox Easter Sunday: May 02, 2021 Orthodox Easter Monday: May 03, 2021 Victory Day: May 09, 2021 Independence Day: May 26, 2021 Mariamoba (Assumption): August 28, 2021 Svetitskhovloba (Georgian Orthodox Festival): October 14, 2021 Giorgoba (St George’s Day): November 23, 2021
Holiday Pay	The holiday pay is determined based on the average pay for the previous three months.
Medical Leave	For private employers, no Georgian law mandates any paid or unpaid medical leave, but most employers grant medical leave as a benefit. Public employers must grant full-time employees five hours of medical leave if they are compensated on a semi-monthly basis and 10 hours of medical leave if they are compensated on a monthly basis.
Maternity Leave	In Georgia, maternity leave is paid for by Social Security. Employees receive a total of 730 days of maternity and childcare leave, out of which 183 calendar days are paid (200 in case of multiple births). Employees are also entitled to 550 days of parental leave in case of adoption (out of which 90 days are covered by Social Security).
Annual Leave Accrual Entitlement	All employees are entitled to 24 days of paid annual leave. Employees who have served for more than 11 months can claim another 15 days of (unpaid) annual leave. Employees working in hazardous occupations are entitled to an extra 10 days of annual leave.
Leave Expiry	Employees can carry over their annual leave from the previous year (if there is an agreement with the employer to this effect). The leaves cannot be carried over for more than two consecutive years.
Leave Cash Out	Accrued annual leave can be cashed out upon termination of employment in Georgia.
Accrued Leave at Termination	Upon termination of the employment contract, before the employee has used their annual leave, they are entitled to payment instead of the leave.
Employee Protection and Anti-discrimination Rights	The Georgia Labor Laws protect all employees against any kind of discrimination based on race, language, skin color, ethnicity, social status, nationality, origin, handicap, religious preference, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, and political opinions.
Confidentiality of Personal Information	The personal information shared by the employees with their employers is protected by the Law of Georgia on Personal Data Protection, which is intended to ensure the protection of the right to privacy.

To learn more about Georgia’s employment policies to ensure your expansion efforts fall within the legal requirements, book a demo with Skuad experts today.

Contractors vs. Full-time Employees

As per Georgia’s employment laws, employment contracts can be drawn up in either a written or oral format. However, to ensure transparency and clarity of the terms of the employment, it is always advisable to execute written employment contracts.

Employment agreements in Georgia can be entered into for both a definite and indefinite duration. The contracts must be in Georgian or any other language that both parties can understand, and must clearly state the following terms of employment.

The agreed-upon employee compensation (in GEL).
Additional employment benefits, if any.
Terms of termination.
Duration of contract (in case of definite contracts).
Nature of the work that employees are expected to deliver.
Other relevant information, such as notice and probation periods.

Although it is not standard practice, employers can run a basic, non-intrusive background check on the employees by requesting essential information such as criminal records, driving records, details of previous employers as a reference, and credit checks.

Advantages of Hiring Contractors

Flexibility: Since contractors are hired on a short-term basis, you are free to determine the scope of their work temporarily. If new needs arise, further contracts can be drafted in the short term.
Independence: Short-term contractors usually work independently. They do not require close supervision, and your resources can be transferred elsewhere, as needed.
Cost: Hiring contractors may be cheaper in the long run, although their individual rates are higher than those of full-time employees. This is because such employees are not entitled to employment benefits such as bonuses and tax compensations.

Advantages of Hiring Full-time Employees

Loyalty and organizational commitment: Full-time employees are likely to be more loyal as they exclusively work for your company. As their individual success depends on the performance of your firm, they are likely to invest more effort into their work.
Knowledge: All employees undergo training when they join a firm. The skills and knowledge gained by a full-time employee, however, stay within the organization.
Legal freedom: Since full-time employees are defined as such in their contracts from the outset, misclassifications can be avoided completely. When hiring full-time employees, you determine the terms of the contract and entitlements, and these are not liable to change unless mutually decided by both parties.

Drawing out detailed employment contracts that are complete in all respects and comply with the employment contract law in Georgia can be a tedious task for international companies that have no local liaison offices. Skuad’s comprehensive EOR solution for Georgia also includes templates of employment contracts, so that hiring and onboarding of the employees can be accomplished compliantly. Learn more from Skuad experts about hiring the best Georgian talent on both a contractual and full-time basis.

Hiring in Georgia

Finding and hiring the right employees has a direct impact on the success of your business venture, even more so when it is an international expansion. However, when it comes to hiring the best employees in Georgia, there are a couple of challenges that international companies face.

First and foremost is the language barrier. In countries such as Georgia, where English is not as widely spoken, communicating with prospective employees can be challenging. Second, hiring and recruiting employees per the local laws can be an overwhelming and time-consuming process. Oversight in compliance with the local legislation can lead to uncalled-for fines.

If you want to hire employees in Georgia, you can,

Collaborate with a local recruitment agency.
Set up a separate legal entity with an HR department to handle the recruitment and payroll management.
Partner with a global EOR service for Georgia that can handle all hiring- and recruitment-related compliances on your behalf.

Most employers in Georgia advertise their job openings on websites and portals, such as,

MyJobs
Jobs.ge
HR.ge

Skuad’s extensive, hyper-localized Employer of Record solutions for Georgia make the hiring process easy and hassle-free. We handle all the complicated tasks related to payroll management and taxes in compliance with the local laws so that you can focus on other aspects of global expansion. Talk to Skuad experts now to learn more about hiring in Georgia.

Probation & Termination

Probation Period

To ensure that the employee is well-suited for the job that they are hired for, employers can (with mutual agreement with the employees) add a clause defining a probationary period in Georgia employment contracts. Even though the standard probation period in Georgia is not defined, it cannot, in any case, be longer than six months.

Termination of Services

Employment contracts in Georgia can be terminated due to the following reasons.

The employment obligations as envisaged by the employment contract are not met
Definite employment contracts have run their course and expired
Violation of the terms of the contract by either party
The employment contract is rendered invalid for some reason
Mutual agreement between the parties for termination
Force majeure
Long-term disability (one that lasts longer than 40 consecutive days or 60 days in six months)
Death of the employer or employee
Liquidation of the employer (legal entity)

The terminating party must serve a notice period of 30 days. Employment contracts can be terminated without serving the notice period only during the probationary period.

To ensure your expansion endeavors adhere to the laws regarding probation and termination in Georgia, talk to Skuad experts and book a demo today.

EOR Solution

Expanding your business operation beyond your national borders can be an expensive and time-consuming task. It involves several complex procedures that can take a lot of time to complete. By choosing to partner with a Georgia EOR service, you can not only expedite the expansion process but also simplify it.

Skuad’s EOR solution for Georgia makes business expansion in Georgia quick and hassle-free. Our unified HR platform coupled with a comprehensive global payroll management network makes sure that the monthly tasks of managing payroll and employee benefits and other hiring-related matters, such as tax compliance, employment contracts, and work permits, are well taken care of.

In sum, we can offer tailor-made EOR solutions for all your expansion needs in Georgia. To avail yourself of our services, speak to Skuad experts today.

Types of Visas in Georgia

The Georgian government issues the following categories of visas to international citizens visiting Georgia.

Georgia Diplomatic Visa – Category A
Georgia Special Visa – Category B
Ordinary Georgia Visa – Category C
Georgia Immigration Visa – Category D
Georgia Transit Visa – Category T

An important aspect of global business expansion is to comply with all the work visa and work permit requirements of the country that you are expanding into so that your employees can legally live and work in Georgia. Let’s understand the Georgian Immigration Visa in detail.

Types of Work Visas	Explanation
Business Visa	Nonresidents intending to visit Georgia to conduct business-related activities or participate in an academic, cultural, or sporting event are issued the Georgian Business Visa (Georgia C3 Visa).
Immigration Visa	The Georgian Immigration Visa (Category D) is issued to anyone who wants to enter Georgia with the intention of a long-term settlement. Georgia Work Visa, for international citizens wanting to work in Georgia. Georgia Student Visa, for international students accepted into a Georgian educational institution. Georgia Family Visa, for international citizens joining a Georgian (or a legal resident of Georgia) family member.
Georgia Work Visa Requirements	To apply for a Georgian Work Visa, employees must submit the following documents. Georgian Visa Application Form: Duly filled and signed. A passport: Valid for at least three more months from the intended departure from Georgia. Proof of sufficiency of financial means to cover the living expenses during the stay. Accommodation details in Georgia. Proof of payment of visa fees. Passport-size photographs. Employment contract. Proof of academic certifications.
Process of Applying for Work Visa in Georgia	Visa applications must be submitted at the Georgian Diplomatic Missions. The process of applying for a Georgia Work Visa is as follows. Submit the online visa form and make an appointment at the consulate or embassy. Submit the required documents supporting your application. Pay the Georgian Visa fee. Submit the completed form and supporting documents at the consulate or embassy at the time of your appointment.
Georgia Work Visa Fee	A Georgian Work Visa costs EUR 20.
Processing Time	Long-term visas are usually processed in 30 calendar days.

Talk to us and get more information and guidance related to types of visas and work visa requirements in Georgia. Skuad can handle all your visa requirements and ensure the expansion process is not delayed.

Work Permits

International citizens who want to relocate to Georgia to live and work on a long-term basis simply need to obtain a long-term visa. The long-term visa also acts as a work permit in Georgia while also enabling the visa-holder to obtain a residence permit, allowing them to reside in Georgia once they have arrived. Note that this is a Type D visa (immigration visa).

To know more about work permits in Georgia and how Skuad can secure them for you, speak to our experts today and kick-start your expansion.

Payroll & Taxes in Georgia

Payroll in Georgia

To recruit employees in Georgia and manage their compensation and other benefits following the local labor legislation, foreign companies must set up a payroll. This can be done in one of the following four ways.

Incorporating a separate legal entity and handling the payroll management with an in-house HR department.
Setting up a remote payroll by adding your Georgian employees to your parent company’s payroll.
Payroll outsourcing in Georgia in collaboration with a local company that handles HR tasks but leaves you in charge of liabilities.
Payroll outsourcing in Georgia with a global EOR service such as Skuad, which can handle your payroll while ensuring total compliance with the local laws.

Setting up a separate legal entity in compliance with the local legislation can be a long-drawn process that can take up to months to complete. Additionally, to handle the tax and other allied compliances, businesses must first establish a deep understanding of the nitty-gritty of the laws of the land which again can take a long time. On the other hand, a local EOR partner in Georgia such as Skuad can handle payroll management and other local tax-related compliances on your behalf.

Taxes in Georgia

Taxes

Explanation

Income Tax Rates

Personal income is taxed at a flat rate of 20%.

Tax Returns

Individual income tax returns must be submitted by the following individuals before April 1 or on March 31, each year.

Resident individuals: This also includes international citizens who hold a tax residency in Georgia and whose income is not taxed at the source of payment in Georgia.
Non-resident individuals: People whose Georgian-source income is not subject to taxation at the source of payment.

Financial Year-End Date

The financial year in Georgia is the calendar year.

Corporate Tax

The Corporate Income Tax (CIT) rate in Georgia is flat at 15%.

Withholding Tax (For Non-residents)

Non-resident enterprises are levied withholding taxes as per the following rates.

Income	Withholding Tax (%)
Dividends	5
Interest	5
Royalties	5
Oil and gas subcontractor income	4
International transportation/ communication	10
Income from services rendered in Georgia	10
Other Georgian-source income	10

Georgia Employer Payroll Taxes/Georgia Payroll Tax Rates

20%

Value-added Tax (VAT)

18%

Employers Social Security and statutory contributions

Not applicable

Employees Social Security and statutory contributions

Not Applicable

Public Pension

In Georgia, all employees must join a pension scheme financed by employees, employers, and the government.

Employer’s contribution: 2%
Employer’s contribution (on behalf of the employee): 2%
Self-employed individuals: 4%
Government contribution:2% (income less than GEL 24,000); 1% (income between GEL 24,000 AND GEL 60,000); GEL 60,000 (income greater than GEL 60,000)

Medical Insurance

Employee health benefits in Georgia are not mandatory by law.

To ensure your expansion endeavors are in compliance with the Georgia employment laws, Contact Skuad today

Incorporation: How to Set Up a Subsidiary in Georgia

The most preferred and common manner in which you can expand your business operations in Georgia is by way of setting up a Georgian subsidiary company. Establishing a subsidiary in Georgia will enable you to set up a payroll for your employees, recruit a team, and compensate them as per the laws.

The most popular structure for a subsidiary in Georgia is the limited liability company (LLC). The procedure to incorporate an LLC in Georgia is as follows.

An LLC can be registered through the National Public Registry of Georgia.
All the required supporting documents as well as the form of application must be submitted to the National Public Registry for them to be publicly available.
Upon such submission, a charter known as the Articles of Association will be received by the applicant.
Comply with the banking, tax, and other civil compliances.

Even though setting up a subsidiary has undeniable benefits when it comes to international expansion, it can take up to several weeks; sometimes, this can even take months. You can instead use Skuad’s Georgia EOR solutions along with our existing infrastructure and leverage all the lucrative business opportunities in Georgia immediately. To learn more, book a demo with Skuad experts!

Professional Employer Organization (PEO)

The terms Employer of Record (EOR) and Professional Employer Organization (PEO) are often used interchangeably when it comes to global employment and HR services. However, upon closer inspection, it is clear that these terms are quite different from one another. If you are planning an international expansion of your business operations, it is important to understand the minute differences to make an informed choice regarding which one to hire.

While a PEO in Georgia will handle employment for you, the employment contract itself will be between you and the employee. On the other hand, an EOR service will employ the employees on your behalf based on the agreement entered into by the company and the EOR.

Skuad’s Georgia EOR service assumes all the legal and payroll responsibilities for you so that you can immediately begin your business operations without having to set up separate legal entities. A PEO service does not manage compliance; this means your company will be held responsible in case of compliance-related issues. Further, a PEO can only be established in countries where your company also has a legal entity.

Skuad's EOR solution is a good way to expand your business in Georgia without setting up a separate entity. Our solutions help you to stay focused on your business and leave all business compliances, payroll processing, and complete management work to us.

Conclusion: What Gives Skuad’s Georgia Solutions an Edge?

If you believe that your business is ready to be catapulted into the global market by expanding its operations in Georgia, Skuad’s EOR service for Georgia can assist you every step of the way. By handling the complex procedures relating to taxes and other legal compliances on your behalf, Skuad can streamline the process of employee recruitment and HR management for a seamless business expansion experience.

Skuad has an extensive network in 160+ countries across the globe and provides a single interface to onboard and manage employees and contractors. It offers consistent prices irrespective of the location and manages the payment of your team through a single invoice. It also ensures that your IP, invention rights, and sensitive employee details are fully protected wherever you operate.

If you would like to know how Skuad’s tech-enriched HR platform can help your business expansion, please get in touch with our in-house team of global employment experts today!

FAQs

1) What is the employer of record in Georgia?

An Employer of Record (EOR), like Skuad, helps you hire talent in Georgia with ease. They act as the legal employer for your Georgian staff, handling HR complexities like payroll, taxes, and social security. This eliminates the need for a local setup, saving you time and resources. EORs also ensure compliance with Georgian labor laws, minimizing legal risks associated with international recruitment. To calculate cost of hiring in Georgia, click here.

2) What is the difference between EOR and PEO?

An employer of record (EOR) legally employs individuals on behalf of another company and handles all compliance, payroll, and HR tasks. A Professional Employer Organization (PEO) co-employs staff, sharing responsibilities with the client company but typically requires the client to have an established business entity in the country.

3) Why hire an EOR?

Consider an EOR (Employer of Record) as your shortcut to hiring top talent globally. EOR services handle the complexities of international HR like payroll, taxes, and compliance acting as the legal employer for your overseas hires. This eliminates the need for a local entity setup, saving you time and resources.

4) What is the difference between employer of record and payroll?

EORs act like your global HR department, handling everything from hiring to benefits for your overseas team. Payroll companies, however, focus on software solutions for wage disbursement.

5) What is the difference between an Employer of Record and staffing agency?

EORs and staffing agencies both help you hire talent, but they play different roles. EORs become the legal employer for your overseas hires, handling HR tasks like payroll, taxes, and compliance. This lets you focus on finding the perfect candidate without needing a local entity setup. Staffing agencies, on the other hand, focus on recruitment. They source candidates, screen resumes, and conduct interviews, presenting you with a pool of qualified individuals.

Georgia

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Employer of Record in Georgia