Starting August 1, the position of paid advisor will be eliminated across all systems in which the state maintains a stake. Advisors will no longer be entitled to receive salaries or any form of monetary compensation. This change is part of a legislative package amending the Law on Public Service, which was adopted by Parliament today in its first reading with 81 votes pro.

Under the draft law, individuals may serve as advisors without interrupting their official duties. However, public servants will be restricted to serving as advisors within the same institution; they will not be permitted to hold advisory roles across multiple public entities.

MP Davit Matikashvili clarified the proposed changes during today’s parliamentary session:

“The core idea is that the position of a paid advisor will cease to exist. The advisory role will transition to an unpaid status, effective from the law’s enactment, with specific exceptions and implementation dates. The new Chapter Nine of the Law on Public Service delineates the procedures for appointing advisors, defining their duties, and establishing their compensation.

According to the draft, advisors will not be classified as public servants and will be governed solely by the provisions of Chapter Nine and the legal requirements for hiring officials. Advisors will be appointed via contracts, the form and terms of which will be standardized by a government resolution.

Advisory services will be provided free of charge. No monetary compensation—including salaries, bonuses, or other material benefits—will be permitted. Advisors will only be reimbursed for expenses related to official travel, as defined by Georgian legislation.

These regulations will also apply to legal entities of public law, except for institutions engaged in cultural, educational, scientific, research, sports, religious, or membership-based activities.

The transitional provisions specify that individuals currently serving as paid advisors in public institutions and applicable legal entities will be dismissed from these positions effective August 1, 2025.

Advisors will no longer receive compensation in the public sector, state-owned enterprises, or any entity where the state holds a 50% or greater stake,” MP Matikashvili emphasized.