For several years, Georgia has maintained its position as one of the most attractive countries for opening a business — alongside Armenia. Transparent taxation, minimal bureaucracy, and the ability to remote IE registration make it a favorite destination for freelancers, IT specialists, and digital nomads from across the CIS and beyond.
Why Registering an IE in Georgia Is a Smart Choice
According to the Doing Business 2025 ranking, Georgia ranks 7th worldwide in ease of doing business — thanks to a friendly tax regime and simplified administrative procedures.
Here are the main reasons to consider Georgia for registering your IE:
1. Preferential Taxation
- Small Business Status: only 1% tax on gross revenue up to 500,000 GEL (~$185,000 per year).
- Micro Business: completely tax-exempt with annual turnover up to 30,000 GEL (~$11,000).
2. Registration Without Visiting Georgia
An IE can be registered remotely via a power of attorney — without traveling to Georgia.
This is ideal for remote workers and entrepreneurs operating internationally.
3. Modern Banking Infrastructure
Leading Georgian banks such as Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank offer:
- Multi-currency accounts;
- Integration with Payoneer and Wise;
- Full online management.
If your activity later expands to Armenia, consider our guide on opening a corporate bank account for cross-border operations.
4. Access to International Markets
Georgia has double taxation treaties with over 40 countries — including the EU and CIS — enabling cross-border business without excessive tax burdens.
5. Basis for a Residence Permit
An IE with annual turnover above 50,000 GEL (~$18,500) may qualify for a business residence permit.
In comparison, residence permits in Armenia have similar income thresholds but fewer banking restrictions.
⚠️ However, Russian residents may face difficulties transferring funds directly from Georgia. In such cases, Armenia can be a more convenient jurisdiction for tax residency and settlements.
Who Can Register an IE in Georgia?
Both citizens and foreigners can become individual entrepreneurs, regardless of nationality or residence — though certain activities are restricted for non-residents.
Prohibited fields for foreigners:
- Medicine;
- Architecture and legal practice (including advocacy and notary);
- Audit and tax consulting;
- Agriculture and forestry;
- Gambling and excise production.
Popular allowed fields include IT, software development, design, marketing, tourism, and e-commerce — ideal for freelancers and digital professionals.
Remote IE Registration Process in Georgia (Turnkey Service)
The entire process takes 13–15 business days (without bank account) or up to 30 days with banking setup.
Step 1. Document Preparation
You’ll need:
- A notarized power of attorney for our representative to file documents at the House of Justice;
- Translations of your passport and power of attorney into Georgian (notarized);
- A Georgian phone number (eSIM from Magti or Silknet recommended);
- A legal address — we provide a permanent one at no annual cost.
All documents are shipped to Georgia by courier (e.g., DHL or CDEK).
Step 2. Submission to the House of Justice
Our representative files your application in Tbilisi, Batumi, or Kutaisi.
All forms are completed in Georgian and submitted in person.
Step 3. Receiving the Registration Certificate
After approval, you’ll receive an SMS with login credentials for your taxpayer account on rs.ge.
The certificate includes:
- Full name;
- Date of registration;
- Tax ID number (INN);
- Legal address;
An official extract from the registry is also issued.
Step 4. Obtaining Small Business Status
Within 15 days, an application for Small Business Status must be filed through rs.ge.
- The 1% rate applies from the first day of the following month;
- If your activity (e.g., consulting) doesn’t fit the criteria, the tax authority may reassign the standard 20% rate.
We pre-analyze your case to ensure eligibility and prevent reclassification.
Step 5. Opening a Bank Account
- Accounts are opened under power of attorney in Georgian banks.
- Citizens of Russia and Belarus may face tighter KYC checks in 2025.
- Alternatives: Payoneer and Wise for international transactions.
For comparison, you can also open a corporate account in Armenia with easier compliance for CIS clients.
Step 6. Accounting and Tax Filing
- IEs must submit monthly declarations by the 15th of each month — even with zero income.
- The 1% tax applies to total revenue (without deductions).
If turnover exceeds 100,000 GEL, VAT registration becomes mandatory — see how this differs from VAT in Armenia.
Cost of Remote IE Registration in Georgia
- State fee: included (~$35);
- Full remote service: from $350, including:
- Translation and notarization;
- Power of attorney;
- Legal address provision;
- Additional translation costs ($50–100) may apply but are usually included in our turnkey package.
Taxation System for IEs in Georgia
| System | Tax Rate | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Micro Business | 0% | Up to 30,000 GEL/year, no employees |
| Small Business | 1% | Up to 500,000 GEL, 3% on excess |
| General Regime | 20% | For non-eligible activities |
| VAT | 18% | Required if turnover exceeds 100,000 GEL |
Important Risks and Considerations
- Unlimited liability: IE is personally liable for all business obligations.
- Small business refusal risk: some activities may not qualify for 1% status.
- Banking challenges: Russian and Belarusian citizens may face account rejections.
- CRS participation: Georgia exchanges financial data under the Common Reporting Standard (OECD).
- Crypto transactions: banks may block accounts involved in cryptocurrency operations.
💡 If you are a Russian tax resident, Armenia is often a safer choice — there are no restrictions on transfers from Armenia to Russia, and tax residency is easier to manage. Learn more about tax residency in Armenia.
Conclusion
Remote IE registration in Georgia in 2025 remains one of the most convenient ways to start international business activity.
Low taxes, digital administration, and global banking access make Georgia an attractive jurisdiction for freelancers and entrepreneurs from the CIS.
However, before registration, carefully evaluate:
- Whether your activity qualifies for small business status;
- How you’ll transfer or withdraw profits;
- Whether you must declare income in your country of residence (due to CRS reporting).
Our team can guide you through the entire process — from preparing documents to opening a bank account — and provide full accounting support for your Georgian or Armenian business.
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