Bank of Georgia and TBC are the two main expat-friendly banks
Trust L4Updated May 7, 2026
Tbilisi
Banking, transfer, and payment setup basics for newcomers.
Most newcomers expect cash to dominate, but Tbilisi is rapidly going cash-less-major supermarkets (Carrefour, Goodwill), restaurants, petrol stations and malls all accept cards, and QR-code payments via TBCPay or BOGPay are common. Open a local account with Bank of Georgia or TBC on Rustaveli Avenue (you only need your passport) to get a free Visa debit card and the option of both GEL and USD accounts; TBC's mobile app is especially user-friendly. ATMs from TBC and BOG line every main street, but foreign cards incur a 2-3GEL fee per withdrawal, so relying on free foreign-card ATMs can bite you unexpectedly. For the best exchange rates, use licensed sarafi kiosks on Rustaveli near Freedom Square or inside Galleria Mall-no commission and honest weighing. When you need to move money abroad, link your TBC/BOG account to Wise; transfers arrive the same day domestically and in 1-3business days via SWIFT internationally. **Next step:** Walk to the Bank of Georgia (Rustaveli) or a TBC branch today, bring your passport, and start the account-opening process.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
Rustaveli · Experience date Feb 14, 2026
Opened Bank of Georgia account on Rustaveli with just my passport. USD and GEL accounts, free Visa debit card. TBC is also good and has a better mobile app. Both have English-speaking staff at main branches.
Saburtalo · Experience date Jan 2, 2026
Georgia has exceptionally low taxes for small businesses. Small Business Status (Małe Business): if your annual turnover is under 500,000 GEL (~$185,000): you can register as a 'small entrepreneur' and pay a flat 1% tax on turnover. No VAT for small businesses under 100,000 GEL/year. Individual Entrepreneur registration: can be done at the Revenue Service office with your passport in 30 minutes, costs 20 GEL. This is one of the most business-friendly tax regimes in the world — a major reason entrepreneurs and freelancers relocate to Tbilisi. Consult a local Georgian accountant for specifics.
Freedom Square · Experience date Apr 29, 2026
Georgia is one of the world's most crypto-friendly countries. No capital gains tax on cryptocurrency profits for individuals. TBC and BOG both accept crypto exchange platforms as legitimate businesses. Several Tbilisi-based crypto exchanges and OTC desks operate openly. Bitcoin ATMs: present in central Tbilisi (Fabrika, Rustaveli area). Converting crypto to GEL: peer-to-peer via Telegram groups (search 'P2P Georgia') or licensed exchanges. Georgia ranks highly in global crypto adoption indexes. For expats holding crypto assets: Georgia's legal clarity and low taxation make it an attractive base.
Rustaveli · Experience date Jan 17, 2026
Withdrew from TBC ATM on Rustaveli with my Wise card — no fee from Wise and no fee from TBC ATM. Avoid small independent ATMs which charge 5-8 GEL per withdrawal. USD withdrawals also available at most BoG ATMs.
Isani · Experience date Apr 30, 2026
Sending money from your Georgian TBC/BOG account to abroad: Wise is the cheapest and most reliable method. Process: add TBC/BOG as a source account in Wise, initiate transfer. SWIFT from TBC/BOG directly: works but 1–2% fee and slower. Western Union: available at BOG branches for emergency transfers. TransferGo: competitive for Eastern Europe. For regular large transfers (monthly salary remittance home): Wise gives the best exchange rates and lowest fees for GEL-to-EUR/USD/GBP conversions. TBC's own international transfer service charges 1–2% — only use for small amounts to avoid Wise minimum fees.
Vake · Experience date Dec 24, 2025
If buying property in Tbilisi: Purchase price negotiation: standard to negotiate 5–15% off asking price in the current market. Transfer tax: 0% for purchases under 200,000 GEL (recently changed — verify current rules). Notary fees: 100–300 GEL. Registration at House of Justice: 50–200 GEL. Real estate agent commission: 3–5% of purchase price (usually seller pays). Annual property tax: 0–1% of cadastral value. Mortgage: TBC and BOG offer mortgages to foreigners with Georgian bank accounts and proof of income — 8–12% interest rates. Most expat buyers pay cash or use international financing.
Isani · Experience date Jan 23, 2026
Wise works excellently in Georgia. Receive a Georgian bank account (TBC/BOG) number, and international transfers from Wise arrive same-day. Wise to TBC/BOG: SWIFT transfer, arrives in 1–3 business days, fee approximately 0.5%. Revolut: Mastercard is accepted at most Tbilisi ATMs and merchants. Revolut top-up in GEL: use your Georgian bank account to load Revolut. The combination of: (1) Georgian TBC account for local spending, (2) Wise for international transfers, and (3) Revolut for EU travel is the standard Tbilisi expat setup and works extremely well.
Didube · Experience date Mar 30, 2026
TBC and BOG main branches: Monday–Friday 9am–6pm, Saturday 10am–3pm. Closed Sundays. Georgian public holidays: January 1–2 (New Year), January 7 (Orthodox Christmas), January 19 (Epiphany), March 3 (Mother's Day), April 9 (Restoration of Independence Day), Easter weekend (Orthodox), May 9 (Victory Day), May 26 (Independence Day), August 28 (Dormition of Mary), October 14 (Svetitskhovloba), November 23 (Saint George's Day). Plan major banking transactions for weekday mornings. ATMs: 24/7. Mobile banking: 24/7. Online banking never closes.
Rustaveli · Experience date Feb 20, 2026
Georgia uses a territorial tax system — meaning income earned from foreign sources by non-Georgian-source activities is generally not taxed in Georgia. For digital nomads with non-Georgian clients: you may owe zero Georgian income tax on foreign freelance income. Georgian Individual Entrepreneur registration: allows you to invoice clients internationally with Georgian legal entity status, paying only 1% flat tax. Important: this is a complex area — tax treaties between Georgia and your home country matter. Get advice from a Georgian tax advisor (60–150 GEL/hour) before making decisions based on this. Many nomads have successfully used this structure.
Freedom Square · Experience date Apr 2, 2026
The Georgian Lari has been relatively stable since 2022 — a surprise to many given regional instability (Ukraine war, Russia sanctions). Inflation in Georgia: 2–5% in 2023–2024, significantly lower than during 2022 peak. The National Bank of Georgia maintains a flexible exchange rate and has been effective at managing inflation through interest rate policy. For expats: earning in USD or EUR means purchasing power in Tbilisi has been excellent and relatively predictable. The main risk: if GEL depreciates significantly, local costs rise in USD terms — monitor the USD/GEL rate if you're on a tight budget.