Can Foreigners Open a Business in Georgia
- Giorgi Gamsakhurdashvili
- Jul 15
- 6 min read
Table of contents
Can a foreigner open a company in Georgia?
Yes. You don’t need to be a citizen, resident, or even physically present to register a business in Georgia. Foreigners can own 100 percent of a Georgian company. There are no visa restrictions, no local partner requirements, and no citizenship hurdles.
Georgia has designed its business environment to be globally accessible. That’s why thousands of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and investors from countries like Germany, the UAE, the US, and Ukraine have already chosen Georgia as their base for operations, freelancing, or remote teams.
If you’re wondering how it works, what it costs, and what paperwork is involved, this article explains every step.
What types of businesses can foreigners register?
As a foreigner, you can register almost any legal business form in Georgia. The most common is a Limited Liability Company (LLC), but you can also register as an Individual Entrepreneur (I.E.), open a branch of a foreign company, or form a partnership.
The best structure depends on your income level, team size, and business model.
LLC
Ideal for startups, agencies, and remote teams
Offers limited liability and reinvestment tax benefits
Eligible for Virtual Zone status if working in IT
Can be owned 100 percent by non-residents
Individual Entrepreneur (I.E.)
Perfect for freelancers and consultants
Pays only 1 percent tax on income up to 500,000 GEL with Small Business Status
Quick registration and minimal overhead
Not suitable for those with employees or complex business models
Branch Office
Used by companies abroad expanding into Georgia
Fully owned by the parent company
Legal responsibility remains with the foreign HQ
Often used to test the Georgian market
Georgia also allows foreigners to set up nonprofit foundations or cooperatives, though these are less common.
Do I need to live in Georgia to open a company?
No. You can register your business remotely using a Power of Attorney. This allows a local lawyer or representative to complete the full registration process on your behalf.
Remote registration includes:
Submitting documents to the Public Registry
Translating and notarizing your passport
Applying for a company tax number
Opening a bank account (in some cases remotely or by proxy)
If you prefer to visit Georgia in person, you can register your company within one business day. Just bring your passport and use a standard company charter. Banks typically take 1–3 days for account opening.
Foreigners who plan to manage their business from abroad should ensure that the company is structured to allow remote banking, tax filing, and ongoing compliance. Gegidze supports clients across time zones to keep everything on track.
What taxes do foreigners pay in Georgia?
Taxation depends on your company structure, residency status, and business activities. Here’s a quick overview for foreigners:
LLC (Limited Liability Company)
15 percent corporate tax only on distributed profits
5 percent dividend tax when profits are paid to shareholders
0 percent income tax if you qualify for Virtual Zone and sell IT services to foreign clients
VAT applies only to local sales above 100,000 GEL annually
I.E. (Individual Entrepreneur) with Small Business Status
1 percent tax on turnover up to 500,000 GEL
3 percent if the threshold is exceeded but not doubled
Monthly filings required but very simple
If you become a Georgian tax resident by spending 183+ days in the country, you may benefit from full exemption on foreign-source income. That includes dividends, interest, royalties, and capital gains from outside Georgia.
Curious about tax residency? Here’s our full guide: Is a Georgian Tax Residency Right for You?
Foreign founders often use a combination of company structure and tax residency to build a low-tax, compliant setup.
What documents are required for foreigners?
Georgia makes documentation easy. Here’s what you need as a non-citizen:
If registering in person:
Valid passport
Georgian translation of your passport (done locally)
Company name and legal address
Standard charter or custom company document
If registering remotely:
Notarized and apostilled Power of Attorney
Scanned passport copy
Pre-agreed legal address and company info
You’ll also need to open a business bank account. Some banks require in-person appearance, while others allow remote account setup via video call or local representative.
What about banking?
Opening a corporate bank account in Georgia is usually fast but only if your documentation is correct.
Banks like Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank offer business accounts in GEL, USD, EUR, and GBP. You can open multiple accounts for operations, payroll, tax, and savings.
Here’s what most banks require from foreign founders:
Company extract from the Public Registry
Passport and its notarized Georgian translation
Legal address confirmation (e.g. lease or virtual office contract)
Business description (sometimes requested for compliance)
Power of Attorney if applying remotely
Some banks ask for additional documents, like invoices or contracts with clients, especially if you’re planning to send or receive large international transfers.
To avoid banking delays or account freezes, read this full guide: How to Open a Corporate Bank Account in Georgia
Is VAT registration required?
Not always. If your annual Georgian turnover exceeds 100,000 GEL, you must register for VAT. But if you work with foreign clients only and your business is export-based, you can often avoid it altogether.
For example, if you’re a German marketing consultant registered as an I.E., and your clients are in Berlin or Amsterdam, you’re likely exempt. The same applies to LLCs exporting digital services.
Georgia applies a reverse-charge VAT rule for foreign services. That means you may declare it, but you usually don’t pay it.
However, if you rent a local office, sell locally, or import goods, VAT may apply. The rate is 18 percent.
If you’re unsure about your obligations, check out our article on Banking Compliance in Georgia
Monthly compliance: what foreign business owners need to know
Once your company is live, the real work begins, monthly tax and compliance.
Here’s what to expect:
Revenue tax is declared monthly via the RS.ge portal
VAT is filed monthly or quarterly, depending on your registration
Payroll taxes (if applicable) must be paid on time with documentation
Business expenses must be matched with invoices or receipts
Foreign transfers often require a declared purpose and paperwork
Foreigners often assume that once the company is live, the government won’t check much. That’s not true in Georgia. Banks and the Revenue Service review patterns. If something doesn’t match, like receiving client payments with no matching invoice, they’ll request clarification.
Working with a local accountant ensures you stay compliant. Gegidze clients get matched with professionals who manage monthly filings and alert you if anything looks off.
Can I get residency through business registration?
Not directly. Opening a company does not grant you Georgian legal residency. But it does help you apply for tax residency or, in some cases, a residence permit based on economic activity.
There are two main paths:
183-day rule
If you spend more than 183 days in Georgia in any rolling 12-month period, you can apply for Georgian tax residency. This allows you to claim exemption from taxes on most foreign income.
High Net Worth Individual program
If your assets exceed 3 million GEL, or your income is over 200,000 GEL for the last 3 years, and you earn at least 25,000 GEL from Georgian sources annually, you may also qualify for tax residency.
Owning a Georgian company or registering as an I.E. helps meet these criteria. But you must apply and submit documentation through the Revenue Service.
Here’s the complete guide: Is a Georgian Tax Residency Right for You?
How Gegidze helps foreigners launch smoothly
We don’t just register your company, we help you get operational.
Our support includes:
Choosing the right structure (LLC vs I.E.)
Company registration in-person or remotely
Bank account setup with document prep
Passport translation and legal address rental
Tax registration and accountant onboarding
Residency guidance and application support
Ongoing compliance tracking and monthly reminders
Foreign founders trust Gegidze to make Georgia business-friendly in practice, not just on paper.
Ready to open your company in Georgia?
If you’re a freelancer, consultant, investor, or startup founder, Georgia welcomes you.
No citizenship required
No local partner needed
Fast registration
Transparent taxes
Global banking access
Tax residency available
Start smart. Avoid missteps. Let Gegidze handle the full setup.
Book your free consultation today and start your business in Georgia the right way.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can foreigners fully own a company in Georgia?
Yes. Foreigners can own 100 percent of a Georgian company. No local partner or citizenship is required.
Do I need to live in Georgia to open a business?
No. You can open a company remotely using a notarized and apostilled Power of Attorney. Gegidze handles full registration on your behalf.
What’s the best business structure for foreigners in Georgia?
If you’re scaling a team or need liability protection, an LLC is best. For solo freelancers or consultants earning under 500,000 GEL, the I.E. model offers a 1 percent tax rate.
Can I open a bank account in Georgia as a foreign founder?
Yes. Banks accept foreign-owned companies but may request extra documentation. Gegidze ensures your paperwork is prepared for fast approval.
Does registering a company help with tax residency in Georgia?
It can. Owning a business supports your case for tax residency, especially if you spend 183+ days in Georgia or meet income thresholds under the High Net Worth program.
