Over the past few years Batumi has gone through a huge transformation from a seasonal resort into a comfortable year-round city for expats. When the whole family relocates, the focus shifts from abstract investment and yields to clear basics: where the children will study, how local healthcare works, which districts suit a calm life and how not to make a mistake when choosing an apartment.
1. Preschool and school education in Batumi
Public schools and kindergartens in Georgia teach in Georgian, and admission of foreign citizens to municipal kindergartens depends on having a residence permit and often involves waiting lists. That is why expats mostly choose the private sector.
Private kindergartens
Private preschools offer small groups (8 to 15 children) and a variety of development programmes:
- Formats: the city has Georgian kindergartens with separate Russian-speaking groups as well as fully Russian-speaking or international centres.
- Prices: the basic fee in private kindergartens averages 400–700 GEL per month. In premium and international centres it can reach 800–1,500 GEL per month.
Schools for relocating families
School education comes in several models:
- Russian-speaking private schools: they teach full-time and are attached to schools in Russia for official assessment. Tuition is 650–1,100 GEL per month, often with entrance fees and an after-school programme (about 500–550 GEL). Licensed gymnasiums ("XXI Century", "Euro-2000") cost about 5,000 GEL per year.
- International schools: for English-language education to international standards, families choose British School of Batumi, QSI International School of Batumi or European School of Batumi. Fees are in dollars: from $3,500 to $8,000 per year.
Important on documents: to enrol in a private kindergarten, a contract and a notarised translation of the birth certificate are enough. If a child enters school in the 2nd grade or higher, previous grades must be recognised (nostrification) through the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (EQE).
2. Healthcare and private insurance
The healthcare system in Georgia is fully privatised. Free state healthcare mainly covers citizens and permanent residence permit holders, so expats use commercial medicine and local insurance.
Main medical centres
- Evex: the largest network, with well-developed paediatric departments and clinics in different parts of the city.
- BAU International Hospital: a modern international-level university hospital with a 24-hour children's inpatient unit and an emergency department.
- The Innovative Medical University Clinic and the Tatishvili medical centre are also popular.
Health insurance
Without insurance, doctors' visits are charged at higher commercial rates. Local insurers (ARDI, GPI Holding, Imedi L, Unison) offer family policies:
- Basic plans (emergency care): from 40–70 GEL per month.
- Extended family plans: from 80–150 GEL per month per person. They include routine paediatric check-ups, tests, partial reimbursement of medicines (up to 40–50%) and basic dentistry.
3. Choosing a district for family life
Batumi stretches far along the sea, and the location you choose defines your daily comfort:
- Old Town and the Centre (Gorgiladze, Rustaveli, Chavchavadze streets): the very heart of the city. It has the highest concentration of schools, private kindergartens, Evex clinics and the main 6 May Park with its lake and dolphinarium. Downsides: old housing stock, parking problems and high prices per square metre.
- Heroes Alley and the Bagrationi Street area: a lively middle belt. An excellent balance of infrastructure: Batumi Mall, the Sports Palace, kids' clubs and modern residential complexes nearby.
- New Boulevard (Khimshiashvili and Kachinskikh streets): modern buildings by the sea, a park with playgrounds and easy access to the road to the international schools.
- Suburbs (Makhinjauri, Gonio): suit those looking for quiet, clean air and private houses or townhouses, but a car is a must for trips to the city.
4. The key technical nuance of family housing in Batumi
The main problem of most Batumi new builds and aparthotels: there is no central heating. Trying to heat an apartment in winter with an ordinary air conditioner leads to huge electricity bills, damp and mould.
For permanent living with children it is critical to choose housing with:
- Natural gas and a combi boiler with water radiators in every room.
- Good sound and thermal insulation of the facade.
- A closed courtyard without cars and with a safe playground.
Planning to move to Batumi with children?
Don't waste time searching on your own among thousands of investment apartments that are not built for winter living.
- Get a personal consultation on choosing a reliable district for your family's needs (schools, kindergartens, clubs).
- Get an up-to-date selection of vetted family apartments with autonomous gas heating, proper sound insulation and closed courtyards within walking distance of parks.
Write to us about your family, budget and preferred area, and we will pick options for permanent living.
