The Georgian government is discussing a package of amendments to the Criminal Code and the Administrative Code aimed at tightening immigration policy. The goal is to strengthen the fight against illegal migration and prevent abuse of the asylum system.
Main amendments:
Deportation statistics:
How many foreigners are there in Georgia?
According to Geostat data for 2024, 135,811 people entered the country, including:
In addition, up to 100,000 Russians were in Georgia at the peak of the migration flow, of whom 60,000 remained and 30,000 left the country in 2023. According to estimates by the UN and migration centers, approximately 26,000 refugees live in Georgia, mainly Ukrainians, but also Syrians, Iraqis, Iranians, and Russians.
Georgia is tightening migration controls, introducing deportation with long-term bans, increasing fines, and speeding up the processing of applications. This is part of efforts to combat illegal migration and abuse of the asylum procedure.
However, the visa waiver remains in place and requirements for stays of up to one year are being simplified. Tens of thousands of foreigners, mainly from Russia and Ukraine, reside in the country, making the reforms both sensitive and controversial. The changes to migration legislation will have long-term consequences for both new arrivals and Georgia’s migration practices.
Revenues from excise taxes on manufactured and imported goods in January-May 2025 reached UAH 69.7 billion, compared to UAH 46.9 billion in the same period last year, according to Ruslan Kravchenko, head of the State Tax Service (STS).
“In five months, the budget has already received UAH 11.3 billion (+19.3%) more than planned. In May 2025, UAH 15.3 billion in excise tax was received,” he said.
Kravchenko explained that the overperformance was due to an increase in imports of excisable goods, in particular tobacco products.
“Systematic control over the circulation of excisable goods is also yielding noticeable results,” added the head of the State Tax Service.
Italy is one of the most attractive countries in Europe for buying real estate. Its favorable climate, rich history, developed infrastructure, and high standard of living attract both investors and those looking for a second home on the coast or in a picturesque village. But before buying, it is important to understand the tax system: in Italy, property taxes depend on many factors, from the location of the property to the status of the owner.
Main property taxes in Italy
The Italian tax system for real estate includes both one-time taxes on purchase and annual taxes on ownership.
IMU (Imposta Municipale Unica) — municipal property tax
The IMU rate is set by local authorities and ranges from 0.46% to 1.06% of the cadastral value of the property.
The basis for calculation is the cadastral value (rendita catastale) multiplied by an adjustment coefficient (usually 160 or 168), after which the rate is applied.
When buying from a private individual:
2% of the cadastral value — if it is the primary residence for a resident buyer.
9% — if it is a secondary or investment property.
When buying from a developer:
10% VAT, plus fixed registration fees (€200 each).
Cadastral and mortgage fees are also payable — €50 each.
Special features for non-residents
Foreigners are free to buy real estate in Italy. However, there are several important nuances:
If you are not registered as a resident, IMU tax is levied even on a single property.
Property status is determined not by citizenship, but by registration with the municipality (residenza anagrafica).
If the property is rented out, the rental income is subject to mandatory declaration and taxation:
under the simplified cedolare secca scheme — 21%,
or at a progressive income tax rate: from 23% to 43%.
Calculation examples
An apartment in Rome purchased by a German citizen for vacation purposes:
Cadastral value: €80,000
IMU at a rate of 1%: approximately €1,280 per year
House in Tuscany, rented out:
IMU + TARI: from €1,500 to €2,000 per year
Plus tax on rental income: 21% or according to the scale.
Conclusion
The Italian tax system for real estate requires attention and calculations. The main annual expenses are IMU and TARI, and when purchasing, there are significant one-time fees. In the case of rental or resale, there are additional taxes on income. Therefore, before signing a contract, it is recommended to consult with an Italian lawyer or accountant to avoid surprises and fines.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/property-taxes-in-italy-analysis-by-relocation/
Buying real estate in Serbia is not only a profitable investment, but also an obligation to pay annual property tax. All property owners, both Serbian citizens and foreigners, must pay this tax, regardless of whether the property is used or not.
Payment schedule
Property tax in Serbia is paid quarterly:
Important: in case of late payment, a penalty of 16.5% per annum is charged, and in case of systematic evasion, penalties are possible.
How to pay tax for the first time?
For non-residents of Serbia, the procedure begins with a personal visit to the tax office. Notifications are not sent to foreigners automatically.
You must provide:
If there are several owners
Documents must be submitted simultaneously by all co-owners. The tax is calculated based on the shares:
If the shares are not specified, the amount is divided equally.
Property tax rates in Serbia (2025)
The tax is calculated based on the estimated value of the property and is divided into several categories:
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/1036
In May 2025, Express Insurance settled 840 insurance claims under CASCO and MTPL agreements, which is 12% more than in the same period last year, according to the company’s website.
Of these, 596 cases were CASCO (+14%), and another 244 were compulsory civil liability insurance (+8%).
The total amount of insurance payments for the month amounted to UAH 42.1 million, including UAH 32.3 million for CASCO and UAH 9.8 million for MTPL.
Incidents under CASCO contracts in May mainly concerned traffic accidents (92%), unlawful actions of third parties (6%), and falling objects (2%). There were also cases of damage to cars as a result of animal attacks in Lviv and an explosion in Kyiv.
The company reports that most insurance claims for traffic accidents occurred in Kyiv and the surrounding region – 323, or about 59% of all cases, an increase of 8% compared to April. The company’s experts also recorded an increase in traffic accidents in May in the Lviv (+15 compared to April), Cherkasy (+10), and Odesa (+9) regions.
However, in Dnipro and the surrounding region, the number of insurance claims for traffic accidents decreased by 9% and 21% in May compared to April. The most common circumstances of traffic accidents in May were: collisions between two or more cars, damage to the windshield by stones while driving, hitting an obstacle, and another road user hitting a customer’s parked car.
As for the settlement of insurance claims under MTPL policies, in almost 55% of cases, the victims reported the accident with the participation of the police, and in about 45% of cases, they followed the Europrotocol procedure. Compared to April, the share of accidents settled using the Europrotocol in May 2025 increased by 10 percentage points.
The largest payment to victims for property damage under MTPL policies in May amounted to UAH 215,800 due to a traffic accident in Zaporizhia. Compared to April, the number of claims from victims of traffic accidents in Lutsk, Lviv, and Rivne increased. Traditionally, most claims during the month came from Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro.
The State of Serbia has signed an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to receive a loan of €50 million. The funds will be used to modernize centralized heating systems and improve their energy efficiency in various cities across the country.
The project aims to reduce energy consumption and harmful emissions, as well as operating costs for heat supply companies. The authorities emphasize that both institutions and ordinary consumers will feel the benefits.
As noted by Finance Minister Sinisa Mali, the signed agreement confirms Serbia’s strong commitment to the “green transition.” According to him, the project involves the reconstruction of heating substations, replacement of pipelines, installation of automation systems, and in some cases, the transition to environmentally friendly energy sources such as biomass or solar collectors.
Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic added that the implementation of the project will ensure stable and high-quality heat supply in winter and will also help reduce dependence on imported energy sources.
The project will be part of a broader program to modernize municipal utilities, which the EBRD has already supported in the past. According to preliminary estimates, the modernization will reduce energy consumption by 25-30% in the upgraded systems.
EBRD representatives said they consider Serbia a key partner in the Balkans and will continue to finance sustainable projects in the energy, transport, and infrastructure sectors.
Source: https://t.me/
