Register a Company in Georgia

Georgia has quietly become one of the most popular destinations for international founders and digital nomads who want a legitimate business entity with minimal cost and bureaucracy. The country ranks among the easiest in the world to start a business, offers some of the lowest corporate and personal tax rates in Europe, allows visa-free stays of up to one year for nationals of many countries, and has a registration process that can be completed in under a day.

For founders who do not need a prestigious address and want the lowest possible overhead while they build, Georgia is worth serious consideration.

Why Founders Choose Georgia

• Company registration in as little as one working day
• Corporate income tax of 0% on retained profits (15% only when profits are distributed)
• Personal income tax of 20% (or 1% under the Small Business status below a revenue threshold)
• No minimum capital requirement for most company types
• No requirement to be a resident to own or direct a company
• Visa-free access for nationals of the EU, UK, US, Canada, and many other countries for up to one year

The Main Business Structure: LLC (Shpk)

The Limited Liability Company, known locally as Shpk (Shezghuduli Pasuxismgeblobis Kompania), is the dominant structure for foreign founders in Georgia. It is a separate legal entity with liability limited to the amount of capital contributed. There is no minimum share capital requirement.

Other structures exist, joint stock companies, sole proprietorships, branches of foreign companies, but the LLC is the right choice for the vast majority of foreign entrepreneurs.

Step-by-Step: How to Register an LLC in Georgia

Step 1: Choose a company name

Your company name must be unique within the Georgian company register. You can check availability through the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR) website. The name can be in Georgian or Latin script.

Step 2: Prepare your documents

You will need:

• Passport of each founder and director (notarised translation into Georgian if the document is in a language other than Georgian or English)
• Decision on company establishment (or founding agreement if multiple founders)
• Company charter (Articles of Association)
• Physical address in Georgia for the registered office

Document requirements are straightforward. If you use a local formation agent, they will typically prepare the charter and decision documents on your behalf.

Step 3: Register at the House of Justice

Registration in Georgia is handled by the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR), which operates through the House of Justice offices. You or your authorised representative submit the application in person at any House of Justice branch, or online through the NAPR portal if you have a Georgian digital signature.

For non-residents without a Georgian digital ID, physical attendance or a notarised power of attorney authorising a local representative to act on your behalf is required.

Registration fee: GEL 100 (approximately $37) for standard processing (up to 2 business days). Express processing (same day) costs GEL 200 (approximately $74).

Step 4: Obtain your identification number (ID Code)

Upon registration, your company receives a unique identification code. This is used for all tax filings, banking, and official correspondence.

Step 5: Register for tax

All Georgian companies must register with the Revenue Service of Georgia. Registration is done electronically through the Revenue Service portal. You will receive access to your tax account within a few days.

If your annual turnover exceeds GEL 100,000 (approximately $37,000), you are required to register for VAT. VAT in Georgia is 18%.

Small Business Status: If your annual turnover is below GEL 500,000 (approximately $185,000), you may apply for Small Business status, which reduces your income tax rate to just 1% on turnover. This is exceptionally attractive for solo founders and freelancers operating through their own company.

Step 6: Open a corporate bank account

Georgian banks have become accustomed to foreign founders, and the process is generally smoother than in many other countries. The main Georgian banks, TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia, both have English-speaking business banking services and relatively straightforward onboarding for foreign directors.

You will need your company registration documents, ID, and, in most cases, a personal appearance at a branch. Some digital banking alternatives are also available.

The Georgian Tax System Explained

Georgia uses an Estonian-style tax model for companies: corporate income is taxed only when profits are distributed as dividends, not when they are earned. As long as you reinvest your profits inside the company, your effective corporate tax rate is 0%.

When you distribute profits, a 15% withholding tax applies. Personal income tax is 20% on salaries and dividends received by individuals.

There is no wealth tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax on the sale of shares in most cases.

The Virtual Zone Status

If your company is providing information technology services exclusively to clients outside Georgia, you may qualify for Virtual Zone status. This reduces corporate income tax on qualifying IT-related income to 0%, even on distributed profits. VAT also does not apply to services exported outside Georgia.

Virtual Zone status must be applied for separately and is subject to approval.

Can You Live in Georgia While Running Your Company?

Yes. Georgia offers visa-free stays of up to 365 days per calendar year for nationals of many countries, including the EU, UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. If you register as an Individual Entrepreneur (a separate, simpler structure from an LLC), you may also apply for a residence permit based on business activity.

What to Verify Before You Proceed

Always verify requirements with the National Agency of Public Registry and a qualified Georgian lawyer or accountant before committing. Tax rules, thresholds, and visa requirements are subject to change. This guide reflects conditions as of June 2026.