The Full Legal Requirements for Granting a Power of Attorney (POA) for Remote Bank Account Setup in Georgia
- Tinatin Tolordava
- Nov 27
- 13 min read
Table of contents
Why More Foreigners Are Opening Bank Accounts in Georgia Remotely
What a Power of Attorney Actually Does Under Georgian Law
Which Banks in Georgia Accept POA-Based Remote Account Opening
When You Need a POA for Georgian Banking
The Full Legal Requirements for a Valid Georgian POA
Document Checklist for a POA for Remote Bank Account Setup
POA Requirements for Opening a Bank Account as an Individual Entrepreneur (IE)
POA Requirements for Opening a Bank Account for an LLC
How Georgian Banks Conduct KYC When POA Is Used
POA Requirements for Crypto Friendly Banking
How to Draft a POA That Will Not Be Rejected by Banks or Authorities
Step by Step Process for Granting a Valid POA From Abroad
Timelines. How Long Remote Banking Takes With a POA
Common POA Mistakes That Cause Bank Rejection
Why Digital Nomads, Crypto Traders, and Founders Rely on POA Banking
How Gegidze Handles the POA and Banking Process From Start to Finish
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Why More Foreigners Are Opening Bank Accounts in Georgia Remotely
Georgia has become one of the easiest countries in Europe to bank in. The onboarding is fast, the compliance rules are clear, and the banks are used to working with foreigners who run online businesses, crypto operations, IT companies, consulting firms, and digital nomad income streams.
But here is the real appeal. You can open a bank account in Georgia without stepping foot in the country. All you need is a legally valid Power of Attorney.
People choose remote banking in Georgia for many reasons. Some want a bank account before relocating. Some need a financial base for their Individual Entrepreneur (IE) registration.
Some want a Georgian account to receive IT income, payments from foreign clients, crypto exchange withdrawals, or company capital. Others want to complete company registration in Georgia Tbilisi and need the corporate account set up in advance.
This is where the POA becomes essential. Without the correct Power of Attorney, certified and prepared in the exact legal structure required by Georgian authorities, Georgian banks will not open an account for you.
The good news is this. The process is simple if you follow every legal requirement.
What a Power of Attorney Actually Does Under Georgian Law
A Power of Attorney allows someone you appoint to perform legal actions in your name. In the case of remote banking, this means your representative can:
Apply for bank account opening
Submit documents to Bank of Georgia, TBC Bank, or BasisBank
Complete KYC checks
Sign the bank account opening forms
Register your tax number
Submit documents to Revenue Service Georgia
Coordinate POA translations
Act as your point of contact for banking compliance
The legal foundation comes from the Georgian Civil Code, which recognises POAs issued abroad once they are legally authenticated and translated into Georgian.Your representative must be a Georgian citizen or a resident with a valid ID number. This person becomes your legally recognised agent for everything related to your banking setup.
People commonly use POAs for:
Opening a bank account in Georgia without travelling
Registering an IE with Revenue Service Georgia
Opening an LLC account before relocation
Handling crypto related SOCF submissions
Managing compliance for high volume incoming transfers
Supporting company directors who are temporarily abroad
Which Banks in Georgia Accept POA-Based Remote Account Opening
Not all countries allow remote banking, but Georgia does.The banks that most frequently accept POA setups are:
Bank of Georgia
Bank of Georgia is the most foreigner friendly bank in the country. It has strong digital onboarding, better English support, and smoother compliance flows. Remote account opening is common as long as your POA is valid, apostilled or legalised, and translated correctly.Bank of Georgia is also crypto tolerant. For people who receive crypto income, operate as an IE, or run an IT company, Bank of Georgia is usually the preferred choice.
TBC Bank
TBC Bank is also highly reliable. It has strong systems for IEs, LLCs, and foreign entrepreneurs who need business accounts quickly.TBC may request extra documentation for people with crypto income, high incoming transfers, or remote setups. If your SOCF documents are clean, the process is smooth.
Foreigners use POA-based banking when they cannot travel, need urgent account access, or want to complete company registration remotely. This includes international founders, IT consultants, crypto traders, and people preparing to move to Georgia.
When You Need a POA for Georgian Banking
A POA becomes essential in several situations:
You cannot travel to Georgia but want a functioning bank account
You want to open an IE account remotely
You want an LLC account ready before registration
You need to complete KYC from abroad
You want SOCF compliance handled on your behalf
You want to open a bank account for investment or relocation
You need an account for crypto withdrawals before arriving
You want access to the Georgian system for tax residency planning
A POA is required by banks when the person opening the account is not present. Georgian banks cannot rely on digital signatures from foreigners. They require a physical representative with legal authority.
The Full Legal Requirements for a Valid Georgian POA
This part is where most foreigners make mistakes.A POA is only valid in Georgia if it meets all the following requirements.
1. Identification Details of the Principal
The POA must include:
Full legal name
Date of birth
Passport number
Nationality
Signature
The signature must be done in front of a notary in your home country.
2. Identification Details of the Representative
Your representative must be clearly identified:
Full legal name
Georgian ID number
Address in Georgia
Contact information
The bank will store these details during KYC.
3. The Scope of Authority Must Be Explicit
The POA must specifically state that the representative has authority to:
Apply for opening a bank account
Submit documents to banking institutions
Receive and submit KYC documents
Sign bank forms on your behalf
Represent you at the Revenue Service
Register your tax number
Register your legal address if needed
Banks reject POAs that have vague or generic wording like “full legal authority”.
4. The POA Must Be Notarised in the Home Country
A standard signature is not enough.It must be notarised by a licensed notary in your country.
5. Apostille or Consular Legalisation
This depends on your country.
Countries using apostille:
EU nations
USA
UK
Canada
Countries requiring consular legalisation:
UAE
Qatar
Turkey
Most Middle Eastern states
A POA without apostille or consular legalisation is invalid.
6. Certified English to Georgian Translation
Every POA issued abroad must be translated into Georgian by a certified translator inside Georgia.Banks do not accept self translation or foreign translations.This is where most errors happen.
Document Checklist for a POA for Remote Bank Account Setup
To open a bank account in Georgia remotely, your POA package must include several documents. Missing even one item can lead to immediate rejection by Bank of Georgia, TBC Bank, or any other Georgian bank.Below is the full checklist used by banking officers in Georgia.
1. Valid Passport
Your passport must be:
Clear and readable
Not expired
Matching your name exactly as written in the POA
Free from glare, shadows, or distortions
Many remote applications fail simply because the passport photo is poor quality. Banks in Georgia use automated verification systems and the image must pass both machine and manual review.
2. The POA Document Itself
Banks require the POA to include specific legal language that authorises your representative to act in your name.Georgian banks often reject POAs downloaded from random template websites.Your POA must include:
Your full personal details
Your representative’s Georgian ID number
The exact legal authority needed for bank procedures
Authority to sign banking forms
Authority to pass KYC
Authority to submit compliance documents
Authority to sign contracts with banks
Signature of the issuing notary
This is why foreigners typically ask Gegidze to draft the POA. We customise the wording to match the exact requirements of each bank.
3. Apostille or Consular Legalisation
This is a mandatory requirement.A POA from abroad is not valid in Georgia unless it is authenticated through:
Apostille if you live in the EU, US, UK, Canada, or other Hague Convention countries
Consular legalisation if you live in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, or any country not in the convention
Banks always verify this first. If the apostille or legalisation is missing, the application is rejected before translation even begins.
4. Certified English to Georgian Translation
Once the apostilled POA arrives in Georgia, it must be translated by a certified translator. The translation must match the original exactly.
Banks do not accept:
Non certified translations
Translations done abroad
AI translations
Self translated documents
The Revenue Service and Public Service Hall follow the same rule.
5. Proof of Georgian Address
A Georgian address is required for IEs, LLCs, and many personal bank profiles.This can be:
A virtual address
An office address
A registered residential address
An address provided by your service provider
If you are opening an IE bank account, the address must match the one registered with Revenue Service Georgia.
POA Requirements for Opening a Bank Account as an Individual Entrepreneur (IE)
Many foreigners use the IE model in Georgia. It is simple, fast, and ideal for freelancers, developers, consultants, crypto service providers, and digital nomads.An IE can open a bank account remotely using a POA, but the requirements are specific.
The POA Must Allow Your Representative to Register Your IE
Banks need the IE to be fully registered before the account can be opened.This means your representative must be authorised to:
Register your IE at Revenue Service Georgia
Apply for Small Business Status
Link your tax identification number to the banking system
Register your Georgian business address
Upload your identification documents
Banks Check Your Tax Profile Before Approving IE Banking
Banking and taxation are interconnected.Georgian banks verify:
Your IE registration extract
Your tax identification number
Your business activity
Whether your activity triggers VAT obligations
Whether you receive crypto income
Whether your clients are foreign or domestic
Banks will also match your future SOCF documents against your IE turnover declarations.
POA Requirements for Opening a Bank Account for an LLC
LLCs in Georgia can open business bank accounts remotely, but the POA must contain advanced authority.
The POA must allow your representative to:
Represent the company as director during registration
Sign corporate documents
Approve founding documents
Sign the company charter
Submit documents to the bank
Pass KYC for the company
Provide SOCF documentation if crypto is involved
Register company address
For LLCs receiving crypto payments, banks often request:
Articles of incorporation
List of shareholders
Charter
Extract from Public Registry
Tax registration
Accounting plan for crypto income
SOCF documentation
How Georgian Banks Conduct KYC When POA Is Used
KYC is the hardest part of remote banking.Banks must confirm:
Your identity
The legitimacy of your income
That you are not on sanctions lists
That your crypto income does not originate from high risk sources
That your business profile matches your declared activity
Step 1. Identity Verification
Banks check your passport using both manual review and digital verification systems. If the image quality is low, the process stops.
Step 2. Purpose of Account
Banks ask why you need a Georgian account.The most common reasons are:
IT income from foreign clients
IE registration
LLC formation
Crypto exchange withdrawals
International payments
Relocation to Georgia
Step 3. SOCF Checks
SOCF is mandatory if you work with crypto.Banks ask for:
Wallet history
Exchange logs
Invoices
Contracts
Turnover declarations
Revenue Service extracts
POA Requirements for Crypto Friendly Banking
Crypto friendly banking requires more documentation.If your business or IE receives crypto payments, your POA must allow your representative to:
Submit SOCF documents
Submit contracts for crypto payments
Explain payment sources
Provide turnover declarations
Communicate with compliance teams
If your business activity includes:
Custody services
Exchange operations
Crypto conversions
Handling client assets
Wallet management
You may need a VASP license Georgia or crypto license Georgia before banks will approve your account.
How to Draft a POA That Will Not Be Rejected by Banks or Authorities
A Power of Attorney for Georgian banking must follow strict formatting rules. Banks in Georgia reject POAs all the time, not because the applicant did anything wrong, but because the document fails to match the exact legal language required for cross border validation.
To avoid problems, your POA should include the following elements.
The POA Must Specify Banking Authority Explicitly
Georgian banks cannot accept generic statements like “my representative has full authority to act on my behalf”.They need precise language that states:
The representative can open a personal or business bank account
The representative can sign bank documents
The representative can pass bank KYC
The representative can provide compliance information
The representative can sign account agreements
The representative can register your tax identification number
The representative can submit documents to the Revenue Service Georgia
The representative can register your business address
The representative can accept bank correspondence
POAs lacking clear scope of authority are rejected immediately.
The POA Must Be Notarised Correctly
The issuing notary must:
Verify your identity
Witness your signature
Stamp the document with the official seal
Add a registration number
If any part of the notarisation is incomplete, Georgian banks will decline the POA.
The POA Must Be Apostilled or Legalised
This is not optional.A POA issued abroad without apostille or consular legalisation is legally invalid in Georgia.
EU, US, UK, Australia, Canada use apostille
UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey require consular legalisation
The apostille or consular stamp must be physically attached to the POA.
The POA Must Be Translated Into Georgian
The translation must be:
Done in Georgia
Performed by a certified Georgian translator
Registered at a Georgian notary
Banks automatically reject translations done abroad.
Step by Step Process for Granting a Valid POA From Abroad
Foreigners often assume the POA process is complicated, but it is one of the fastest paths to remote bank setup in the region. Here is the full step by step sequence that Gegidze uses for its clients.
Step 1. Gegidze Drafts the POA
We prepare a bank approved POA template with exact wording required by:
Bank of Georgia
TBC Bank
BasisBank
Liberty Bank
Public Service Hall
Revenue Service Georgia
The POA is customised based on whether you are opening:
A personal account
An IE account
An LLC account
SEO terms: company registration in georgia tbilisi, how to open llc georgia, tax identification number georgia country.
Step 2. You Print and Sign the POA at a Local Notary
You must sign the POA in the physical presence of a licensed notary in your country. The notary verifies your passport and identity.
Step 3. Apostille or Legalisation
Depending on your country:
You apostille the documentor
You legalise it at a Georgian consulate
This step makes the POA legally valid for use in Georgia.
Step 4. You Courier the Original Document to Georgia
Documents must be physically delivered.People usually send them via DHL, FedEx, UPS, or another reliable courier.
Step 5. Certified English to Georgian Translation
Once the POA arrives, it is translated into Georgian by a certified translator.This translation is then notarised in Georgia.
Step 6. Your Representative Submits the POA to the Bank
The representative visits the bank in person to:
File the POA
Pass compliance questions
Provide SOCF documentation
Submit client contracts and income profiles
Sign bank agreements
Step 7. Bank Account Approval
Once KYC and AML teams complete their checks, the account becomes active.You receive:
IBAN
Online banking access
Instructions for international transfers
Additional compliance guidelines
Timelines. How Long Remote Banking Takes With a POA
Timeframes depend on your country of residence and the chosen bank.
Drafting
Gegidze drafts the POA in 1 day.
Notarisation
Same day in most countries.
Apostille
USA. 1 to 3 days
EU countries. 1 to 7 days
UK. 1 to 5 days
Canada. 3 to 10 days
Middle East. 5 to 15 days due to consular legalisation
Courier to Georgia
3 to 8 days depending on the service.
Translation and notarisation in Georgia
1 to 2 days.
Bank approval
1 to 5 business days.
Total estimated timeline:7 to 25 days depending on location.
Common POA Mistakes That Cause Bank Rejection
Many foreigners lose time and money because of small mistakes that make their POA unusable in Georgia.
Mistake 1. Missing apostille
Without an apostille or legalisation, the POA cannot be used anywhere in Georgia.
Mistake 2. Incorrect translation
Banks see this all the time. A client sends a POA translated abroad or translated by a non certified translator. Georgia rejects it instantly.
Mistake 3. Wrong representative details
The Georgian ID number must match exactly. If it does not, the bank rejects the POA.
Mistake 4. POA not specific about banking authority
Generic POAs never work for banking.
Mistake 5. No SOCF documentation
People opening bank accounts for crypto income must provide clear SOCF.Banks in Georgia are crypto friendly only when documentation is clean.
Why Digital Nomads, Crypto Traders, and Founders Rely on POA Banking
Remote banking with a POA is perfect for:
Freelancers wanting to register as IEs remotely
Founders planning relocation to Georgia
Crypto traders needing a reliable banking base
Web3 teams needing Georgian accounts before company registration
Investors wanting Georgian asset exposure
High net worth individuals planning tax residency
Georgia is attractive because:
Opening a bank account is simple
Banks accept foreigners
Crypto income is supported with SOCF
Tax residency rules are clear
The country has one of the lowest corporate and personal tax rates
The system is more flexible than EU or US jurisdictions
How Gegidze Handles the POA and Banking Process From Start to Finish
Gegidze simplifies the entire POA and banking setup by managing every step for you.Clients come to us because Georgian banking, while friendly to foreigners, demands precise paperwork.
Gegidze handles:
Drafting a legally correct POA
Ensuring wording matches bank standards
Guidance on apostille or legalisation
Coordinating courier delivery
Certified English to Georgian translation
Notarisation
Submitting the POA to your chosen bank
Passing compliance and SOCF checks
Supporting IE or LLC registration
Registering business address
Managing communication with bank officers
Making sure the account is approved without delays
Whether you are opening an IE account for 1 percent tax, an LLC account for international operations, or a crypto friendly business account, Gegidze prepares everything required for a smooth experience.
If you want to open a Georgian bank account remotely with a clean, fully compliant POA and zero confusion, book a free consultation with Gegidze.
We prepare your POA, handle your translations, manage your banking submission, and complete the entire process while you stay in your home country.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can I open a Georgian bank account remotely using a Power of AttorneyYes. Both Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank allow foreigners to open personal or business accounts remotely if they issue a legally valid POA. The POA must be notarised, apostilled or legalised, translated into Georgian, and submitted by a representative with a Georgian ID number. This applies to personal accounts, IE accounts, and LLC accounts.Keywords included. bank of georgia kyc, banks in georgia country, opening a bank account in georgia.
Does the POA need an English to Georgian translation for banking purposesYes. Every POA issued abroad must be translated into Georgian by a certified translator inside Georgia. Banks do not accept foreign translations. Without this translation, the POA cannot be used for account opening, Revenue Service registration, or IE and LLC activation.Keywords included. translate english to georgian, english to georgian translate, translation english georgian.
Can I open a Georgian business bank account for an LLC remotelyYes. Remote LLC banking is possible with a properly drafted POA. The representative must have authority to sign corporate documents, submit the charter, pass KYC, and provide SOCF documentation if the company receives crypto income. LLCs that deal with crypto may require additional review or VASP licensing.


