Payroll and Benefits Guide Georgia
Last updated: May 09, 2023
Contributions
Employer
Employer Payroll Contributions
| 2.00% | Total Employment Cost |
| 2.00% | Pension (not applicable for workers whose permanent residence is not in Georgia) |
Employee
Employee Payroll Contributions
| 2.00% | Total Employee Cost |
| 2.00% | Pension |
Employee
Employee Income Tax
| 20.00% | Flat Rate |
Employer taxes
Employee taxes
Minimum Wage
General
In Georgia, the national minimum wage is dependent on the employer contract/collective bargaining agreement in place. There is no statutory requirement for the federal minimum wage.
Payroll
Payroll Cycle
The payroll cycle in Georgia is generally monthly, and payments must be made on the same day of the month and no later than the last working day of the month.
13th Salary
In Georgia, a 13th-month salary is not mandatory. However, the employer can pay bonuses at their discretion.
Working Hours
General
The standard working week in Georgia consists of 40 hours a week, typically 8 hours a day for a five-day working week. The working week can be increased to 48 hours a week in specific sectors.
Overtime
All work more than the standard working hours a week is to be paid as overtime and is regulated by employment contract/collective agreements. When an employee is requested to work overtime or work on holidays, there are maximums in relation to the number of hours allowed. These maximums are 48 hours a week. There are also different maximum working hours for minors.
Overtime hours in excess of 48 hours a week are paid at 150.00% of the employee’s basic salary rate.
Working Week
Monday-Friday
Leave
Paid Time Off
The annual leave entitlement for a full-time employee is 24 working days per year.
Workers in hazardous roles might be eligible for an additional 10 paid calendar days off per year.
Upon the completion of 11 months of service within a single organization, workers are eligible to take a further 15 days of unpaid vacation leave.
Carryover of unused days is permitted into the next year (but not longer than 2 consecutive years) if it is deemed that allowing workers to use the full leave entitlement within the current year will have a negative impact on the business. Worker’s consent must be given before proceeding with this.
Public Holidays
Georgia has 15 public holidays.
Sick Days
The employer is obligated to pay regular salary for temporary incapacity up to a period of 40 consecutive calendar days or a total incapacity period not exceeding 60 calendar days per 6-month period.
A sickness certificate is required from day 1 from an authorized medical physician in order to receive payment during leave.
Maternity Leave
Mothers are entitled to 126 days of pregnancy and childbirth leave or 143 days in case of complications or the birth of twins. Employees receive 100% of their daily wage (up to a total of 2,000 GEL).
They also receive 604 days of additional maternity leave.
Starting in 2023, a one-time assistance of 1,000 GEL is provided to every third and subsequent newborn.
PAID MATERNITY LEAVE (DAYS)
Paternity Leave
In Georgia, paternity leave is the same as parental leave.
Parental Leave
Fifty-seven days can be taken from an employee’s maternity leave and be put towards childcare leave. This can be used by either the mother or father.
Upon the employee’s request, the employer may grant an employee an additional two weeks’ leave per year to care for a child under 5 years old.
Other Leave
Depending on the collective agreement/employment contract terms, an employee may be allowed additional leave types upon approval of the employer and employee for the following:
- Adopter’s leave: a person who adopts a child under the age of 10 is entitled to paid leave based on the employee’s average salary
- Childcare leave: a mother or father can take paid leave (pay is equal to the minimum wage) and varies based on the age of the child: up to two children under the age of 14 – three days of leave, three or more children under the age of 14- six days of leave
- Care Leave: For parents with a disabled child- the mother or father can take off an additional day of work each month until the child reaches the age of 18. This leave is also compensated based on the minimum wage
Termination
Termination Process
Employment agreements can be terminated for a number of reasons including change in economic circumstances, organizational changes requiring downsizing, role incompatibility of an employee’s qualifications or professional skills, long-term incapacity for work, other objective circumstances justifying the termination of an employment agreement.
Notice Period
The notice period for both an employer and employee is 30 calendar days. No notice is required during the probation period.
Notice must be given in writing.
Severance Pay
An employee is entitled to at least one month’s salary of severance pay following the termination of the employment contract.
Probation Period
The probationary period in Georgia should be stipulated within the employment agreement and must not exceed six months.
VISA
VISA
Individuals from 98 countries can enter Georgia without a visa for one year, however, those who want to remain longer, and work must obtain an immigration visa.
For work purposes, people need to obtain a Type D visa for immigration. There are also options for short-term or long-term visas. The most requested visa includes the C and D type visa.
Foreign nationals traveling to Georgia on business typically use the C Visa unless they are visa exempt. Business visitors are generally permitted to stay in Georgia for up to 90 days in any 180 days, depending on their nationality.
The C3 or D1 visa categories are suitable for short-term work, depending on the nature and duration of the planned activities in Georgia.
For broader/longer-term work activities, the D1 visa can be combined with a work/residence permit and secured in the country. The permit is generally issued for one year initially.
However, exceptions are made based on employment contracts or assignment letters with longer validity at the discretion of the State Service Development Agency. The permit can be extended for up to six years after which the foreign national may qualify for permanent residence.
VAT
General
The standard rate of VAT in Georgia is 18.00%
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Questions & Answers
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Payroll and Benefits Guide
in Georgia
What’s covered in this guide:
- Employer/employee contributions
- Minimum wage
- Working hours
- Visa requirements
And more...
Public Holidays Calendar
| Day | Date | Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Jan-1 | New Year’s Day | |
| Monday | Jan-2 | New Year Holiday | |
| Saturday | Jan-7 | Orthodox Christmas Day | |
| Thursday | Jan-19 | Orthodox Epiphany | |
| Friday | Mar-3 | Mother’s Day | |
| Wednesday | Mar-8 | International Women’s Day | |
| Sunday | Apr-9 | Independence Restoration Day | |
| Friday | Apr-14 | Orthodox Good Friday | |
| Monday | Apr-17 | Orthodox Easter Monday | |
| Tuesday | May-9 | Victory Day | |
| Friday | May-12 | Saint Andrew the First Called Day | |
| Friday | May-26 | Independence Day | |
| Monday | Aug-28 | Saint Mary’s Day | |
| Saturday | Oct-14 | Svetitskhovloba | |
| Thursday | Nov-23 | Saint George’s Day |
Does Georgian employment law require annual pay increases of any sort?
An annual pay increase is not required. Some employers do choose to give the 13th salary, but it’s not mandatory.
When an employee is terminated and they have any unused vacation days does it matter what the termination reason is to receive the unused vacation (voluntary vs involuntary), or should it be paid out regardless?
Accrued vacation days should always be given upon termination. The only exception might be if the dismissal is due to gross misconduct, though it could vary from case to case.
How many days worth of notice do the have to give u before ur termination? If u r not from Georgia? And can u work during those days at ur work place?
The notice period is 30 days. It is still possible to work from the office on those days unless the employer notifies the employee not to.
Are all public holidays paid days off? Also is there a mandatory vacation days for all employees?
Full-time employees receive 24 days of paid annual leave and should also receive pay for mandatory public holidays.
Who pays for the 126 days of childbirth leave, and the 30 days of sick pay? The employer or the Government?
Sick leave of 30 days is paid by the Employer. Maternity leave can be covered by either the employer or the government; if the Employer leaves it to the Government, the mother will only receive a one-time payment of 1,000 GEL during her 126 days of maternity leave. However, in general, employers keep paying employees normal salaries during their maternity leave (it is common for employers to pay salary for 6 months of leave).
If I hire nurses to work on a 24 hour shift, which is legal under Georgian labor law (every 3 days) then, if they take leave on the day of their 24 hour shift, do I “charge” them for 3 vacation days of their entitlement or are they charged one vacation day?
Hi, unfortunately, we do not have any information regarding shift working under this set up.