Comparing Germany vs Georgia taxes does not require doom scenarios — it requires documented facts. This article sets the verifiable tax and levy developments in Germany and the EU against the rules in force in Georgia as of July 2026, strictly separating what has been enacted from what is merely under discussion.
Documented developments in Germany and the EU
The status column consistently distinguishes enacted rules from ongoing political debate:
| Development | Substance | Status |
|---|---|---|
| EU cash payment cap (AMLR) | Cash payments above EUR 10,000 prohibited EU-wide from 1 July 2027; Germany previously had no limit | Enacted |
| Identification duty for cash | Anonymous cash payments above EUR 3,000 to traders become subject to ID checks | Enacted |
| UK pay-per-mile for EVs | 3p per mile from 2028 (UK Budget, November 2025); comparable models discussed at EU level | Enacted (UK) / EU: under discussion |
| German social contributions 2026 | Higher contribution assessment ceilings and supplementary rates (IW study: renewed higher burden) | Fact |
| Retirement age 70 | Employer associations demand it; unions oppose it | Under discussion |
| Grid fee participation for solar feed-in | Reform proposals by the Federal Network Agency | Under discussion |
| EU asset register | Feasibility study exists; no legal basis enacted | Under discussion |
| Digital euro | ECB preparation phase ongoing; design (limits, programmability) open | In preparation |
Two readings are possible — and both are legitimate: much of it is debate, the enacted portion is limited. Or: the enacted items show a consistent direction — away from anonymous cash, towards higher and new levies. Which reading you choose is your entrepreneurial judgement. Our point: whoever has assessed the direction for themselves should not wait until debates become law, but build options in good time.
Georgia by comparison: law in force, not promises
| Germany/EU | Georgia (as of July 2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | progressive income tax; top rates apply early | 1% on turnover up to GEL 500,000/year (I/E with SBS); 3% on the excess |
| Foreign dividends/interest (individuals) | taxable | tax-free — territorial taxation (Art. 82.2.u GTC) |
| Crypto disposal gains (individuals) | taxable (holding periods/exceptions) | 0% income tax, VAT-exempt |
| Wealth/inheritance tax | inheritance/gift tax; wealth tax under discussion | no wealth tax, no inheritance tax (close family) |
| Companies | ongoing corporate + trade tax | Estonian model: 15% only upon distribution; retained profits untaxed |
| Residence | — | 365 days visa-free for citizens of around 95 countries |
| Banking | established | stable banks (BoG, TBC, Liberty) with multi-currency accounts |
Details: Tax-free foreign income and Georgia’s 1% tax.
Worked example: freelancer with EUR 100,000 revenue
A simplified example for a single IT freelancer with low operating costs: in Germany, the combined burden of income tax, solidarity surcharge and health/pension contributions lands at roughly 45–50% of revenue; in Georgia, the I/E with Small Business Status pays 1% on turnover — plus self-chosen provision costs.
An important caveat: the 45–50% figure is an order of magnitude, not a precise tax computation. And the comparison must remain fair: in Germany those contributions buy you a statutory social security system — in Georgia, health insurance, retirement savings and risk cover must be organised and budgeted yourself. Anyone who calculates this seriously still typically ends up with a total ratio well below the German one — but not at “1% and done”. That honest calculation is exactly what we build with you in an initial consultation.
Conclusion: no panic — options
The location comparison does not conclude with “drop everything now”, but with: whoever has assessed the direction for themselves diversifies in good time. Georgia suits this because the Plan B can be tested step by step:
- Account and/or company: A Georgian bank account or company structure can be set up without leaving Germany — fully declared at home (CRS reporting happens anyway).
- Test phase on the ground: 365 visa-free days allow you to evaluate the country thoroughly. More: Relocate to Georgia.
- Relocation: Only when it fits does tax residency follow (183-day rule or HNWI programme) — coordinated with your home-country tax adviser (German exit taxation under Sec. 6 AStG, extended limited tax liability).
FAQ
FAQ
Is the EU cash cap really enacted?
Yes. The EU Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (AMLR) sets an EU-wide cash payment cap of EUR 10,000 from 1 July 2027; anonymous cash payments above EUR 3,000 to traders become subject to identification. The EU asset register, by contrast, is only a discussion (feasibility study), not an enacted rule.
How much tax does a freelancer actually pay in Georgia?
With Small Business Status, 1% on turnover up to GEL 500,000 per year (3% on the excess). There are no mandatory social contributions — you must organise health insurance and retirement provision yourself and include them in your calculation.
Is Georgia a tax haven for hiding money?
No. Georgia has exchanged account data under the CRS standard since 2024. The advantage is the legal tax exemption of certain income for genuine Georgian residents plus jurisdictional diversification — not secrecy. If you remain tax-resident in Germany, you must declare there.
Do I have to emigrate to benefit from Georgia?
Not immediately. An account and a company structure can be prepared while you still live in Germany (then subject to declaration there). The full tax advantages — such as territorial taxation — only apply with Georgian tax residency and a genuine relocation of your centre of life.
What do I give up when moving from Germany to Georgia?
Primarily the statutory social security net: health, care and pension insurance must be replaced privately. German exit rules also need review (exit taxation on corporate shareholdings of 1% or more, extended limited tax liability) — always with a home-country tax adviser.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. If you are tax-resident in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, you must declare foreign income and accounts there — always involve a tax adviser in your home country for exit planning and ongoing obligations. Last updated July 2026; subject to changes in law.