Remote Bank Account Opening in Georgia: Is It Possible and How Does It Work?
- Tinatin Tolordava
- May 31
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 1
Table of contents
Why Entrepreneurs Are Looking for Remote Bank Account Access in Georgia
Let’s be honest. Nobody dreams about opening a business bank account. But if you’re a digital nomad, freelancer, or founder setting up shop in Georgia, getting that account up and running becomes your number one priority. And the big question we get asked almost daily is this: “Can I open a business bank account in Georgia remotely?”
Spoiler: yes, but it’s not a one-click process.
Georgia’s appeal is clear, fast company registration, low taxes, English-speaking service, and surprisingly modern banks. You can run a company here from anywhere in the world. But to receive payments, pay your contractors, and stay compliant with local tax laws, you’ll need a local business bank account. That’s where the gap shows up.
Unlike personal banking, which is starting to go more digital, remote bank account Georgia setups for businesses still come with paperwork, signatures, and some human interaction. You can’t just log into an app and open a corporate account as a foreigner with a new LLC. But if you know what you’re doing or work with a team who does it’s absolutely doable.
Let’s walk through what that looks like.
Can You Actually Open a Business Bank Account in Georgia Remotely?
Here’s what most blog posts won’t tell you: remote banking is possible, but you’re not going to get it done by emailing your passport and waiting for a confirmation. Georgian banks follow strict compliance rules set by the National Bank of Georgia, especially when it comes to foreign ownership and anti-money laundering controls.
That said, you can open a business account without setting foot in the country. You’ll need to appoint a local representative, someone you trust, with a notarized and apostilled Power of Attorney (POA). That person will represent your company in front of the bank, submit your file, sign documents, and activate your online banking.
We’ve helped hundreds of clients do this through Gegidze’s remote company setup service. Whether you’re launching a tech startup or registering as an Individual Entrepreneur, it works the same way: you send us the documents, we handle the rest.
And yes, the banks are used to this process. They might ask questions, but they don’t require you to fly in just to open an account.
Georgia's top banks, Bank of Georgia, TBC Bank Georgia, and Pasha Bank Georgia, all support remote openings if you follow their compliance process properly. The trick is preparation. If your file is messy or incomplete, you'll hit delays. If your business model isn't clear, they'll reject it.
Documents You’ll Need to Open a Remote Business Bank Account
Before your representative can walk into any bank, you need to prep the full package.
The requirements are similar across all major banks, but some are stricter with documents or interviews. Here's what you'll be asked to provide:
Company registration documents (from the National Agency of Public Registry)
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
Passport of the company director (plus shareholders if required)
Short business activity description (in English and Georgian)
Legalized Power of Attorney appointing a bank representative
Company charter or operating agreement
Local Georgian phone number (optional, but useful for bank codes)
All documents must be in Georgian or accompanied by official translations. The POA must be legalized in your country and apostilled if it’s from a Hague-member state. If not, it’ll need embassy authentication before it's accepted in Georgia.
This is where most people get stuck not because the requirements are hard, but because they’re exact. A missing signature or poorly translated line can bounce the whole application. That’s why many founders outsource this process from the start. It’s not about capability: it’s about time and accuracy.
Step-by-Step: How Remote Bank Account Opening Works
Once your company is formed and documents are ready, the process follows a clear timeline. Some banks will require pre-screening of your company’s activity and may ask for additional details before approving the account. If you work with Gegidze, we manage this communication for you and match you with the bank that’s most likely to say yes.
Here’s how the remote bank account setup works from start to finish:
You register your company in Georgia (LLC or I.E.)
You sign and legalize a POA authorizing a local representative
You prepare and send required documents via secure channels
Your representative submits the application to the bank and attends the meeting
The bank opens the account, activates online banking, and delivers credentials
You gain full access via business internet banking platforms
The process typically takes 2 to 7 business days, depending on the bank and the quality of the documents. We’ve seen it done in 24 hours when everything is perfect. We’ve also seen it drag out for two weeks when clients used free POA templates or mistranslated their documents.
What’s important to know is that not all banks are equal. Bank of Georgia is more conservative in risk scoring. TBC Bank is faster and tech-friendly. Pasha Bank Georgia caters to higher-volume clients and businesses with EU or Middle East links. If you’re not sure which one to choose, base it on your needs, international transfers, online tools, or relationship management.
Which Georgian Banks Actually Support Remote Business Clients?
Let’s break this down more clearly. Not every Georgian bank offers the same experience. Here’s how the major players compare if you’re opening a business bank account remotely:
Bank of Georgia
One of the most recognized banks in the region. Trusted, secure, and widely integrated with government platforms. Their corporate team speaks English, but their compliance team can be strict, especially for clients from high-risk industries. You’ll get access to business internet banking and mobile apps, and they offer services like payroll and corporate cards.
TBC Bank Georgia
More flexible for remote clients. Better online interfaces. Quicker response times. They’re often the first choice for tech founders or freelancers with EU clients. You can apply for multi-currency accounts and manage everything digitally once your account is open. Their staff is used to dealing with international setups and POA arrangements.
Pasha Bank Georgia
Focused on premium business clients, often in trade, logistics, or export. They’re less known to early-stage startups but offer excellent service if you move large amounts of capital or require tailored banking solutions. Not ideal for individual entrepreneurs or one-person agencies unless your revenue is significant.
Other banks like Liberty Bank, Basisbank, or Ziraat Bank Georgia may support business clients, but they often lack the infrastructure or English support needed for smooth remote onboarding. Most international founders stick with the top three.
Still, your experience can vary depending on your business model. If you're offering legal consulting, that’s one thing. If you're launching a crypto advisory brand, expect more scrutiny.
What Are the Costs and Timelines for Remote Bank Account Opening?
If you’re working with a professional team and all documents are ready, the full remote process takes between 3 to 7 business days. Occasionally longer if your POA was improperly apostilled or the bank’s compliance team is requesting extra documentation.
Here's what you should expect cost-wise:
Document translations: around 50 to 150 GEL depending on length and language
Notarized POA legalization in your country: varies, typically $50 to $200
Courier delivery to Georgia: 2–4 days via DHL or UPS
Local submission and bank coordination fee (if handled by agency): varies, often included in a service package
Bank account maintenance: usually 10 to 20 GEL/month
SWIFT international transfer fees: 25 to 50 GEL per outgoing payment
Corporate card issue fee: around 20 to 30 GEL
Compared to Western Europe or the US, these costs are minimal. And for the value of having a fully operational business account in a tax-friendly country like Georgia, the ROI is strong. If you're planning to apply for business loans in Georgia later, having an active account with a clear financial track record also puts you in a stronger position with local banks.
What Compliance Risks Should You Know About?
Let’s get real. Banks in Georgia are increasingly cautious when it comes to foreign-owned businesses. The National Bank of Georgia has tightened KYC (Know Your Customer) rules over the past few years, especially when it comes to international structures, crypto ventures, and anything involving digital payments or remote clients.
That’s not a bad thing. It protects your account and ensures financial transparency. But it does mean you need to be accurate, consistent, and a bit boring in how you describe your business. This isn’t the time to “sound innovative.” It’s the time to say: “We are a digital marketing company. Our clients are based in Germany. We invoice in EUR and receive payments via SEPA transfer.”
Banks will ask for details. They’ll sometimes ask for sample contracts or invoices. And yes, they check your LinkedIn and website to verify your business is legitimate. So if you’re trying to open a remote bank account in Georgia under a holding company with no online presence, it’s not going to be a smooth ride.
To keep your account open long-term, you’ll need to:
File monthly tax declarations
Keep your incoming payments aligned with issued invoices
Avoid using your business account for personal expenses
Respond to bank queries about unusual activity (especially large transfers)
If anything looks suspicious or inconsistent, the bank may suspend the account until you provide clarity. Again, this is rare for standard service businesses but more common in industries flagged as high risk.
How Remote Banking Supports Real Business Growth
Once your account is open, things get easier fast. Georgian business accounts allow for GEL, USD, and EUR balances, and most banks offer dual-language (English–Georgian) online banking platforms. You can send and receive payments globally, set up recurring contractor payments, and even apply for VAT registration using your account history as part of the compliance package.
If you're planning to claim Virtual Zone or IT status tax benefits, a business bank account is non-negotiable. Without it, your Georgian company won’t be able to demonstrate its income streams, which are required for tax exemption qualification.
Also, once you start building account history, paying suppliers, receiving client income, you become eligible for local perks like business loans in Georgia, small credit lines, and even credit cards. It’s not automatic, but the more structured your finances are, the more services you can unlock.
Should You Use an Agency to Open a Remote Bank Account?
Short answer: if you value your time, yes.
Long answer: most founders who try to DIY this process spend 3x more time chasing POA requirements, mistranslating documents, or trying to get past bank receptionists who only speak Georgian. It's not impossible. But it’s tedious, slow, and often more expensive in the long run: especially if you end up needing to fix errors.
At Gegidze, we handle the entire journey:
POA templates tailored to your country
Document translation, apostille guidance, and shipping instructions
Local agent support who speaks directly with Bank of Georgia, TBC Bank, or Pasha Bank
Submission, interview handling, and internet banking activation
Ongoing compliance support to keep your account in good standing
It’s not about complexity. It’s about precision. And unless you’ve done it before, it’s easy to get blocked by something as minor as an expired notarization stamp.
Final Checklist: Remote Bank Account Setup in Georgia
Before you hit send on your POA or commit to a bank, run through this list:
Have you registered your company or I.E. with the Public Registry?
Do you have a clear and legally valid Power of Attorney?
Are your documents translated and ready for submission?
Do you have a trusted local contact or agency?
Have you picked the right bank based on your activity?
Are you prepared to answer compliance questions about your business?
If the answer is yes, you're ready. If not, book a short call with Gegidze and let us walk you through the steps. No pressure, no pitch, just practical help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a remote business bank account in Georgia as a non-resident?
Yes. Non-residents can open a remote bank account in Georgia through Power of Attorney. You’ll need to appoint a local representative to handle the application and sign on your behalf.
