The questions foreign buyers ask most before they commit, answered from Georgian law and official sources. Each answer is short; the sources are at the bottom of the page.
Payment usually goes through a Georgian bank, so open the account before you need it. Banks normally open personal accounts at a branch, with your passport and a Georgian phone number, and ask about the purpose of the account and the source of your income. Some banks accept a representative with a notarised power of attorney instead of a visit.
Yes, the large Georgian banks lend to non-residents, but on stricter terms than for locals: a larger down payment, often 30 to 40% of the price, and proof of income. Many developers also sell in instalments. Ask the bank for its written conditions before you sign anything.
Order an extract from the Public Registry (NAPR). It shows the registered owner and any mortgage or other charge on the property. It costs 20 GEL for one working day, or 13 GEL online. For a new-build, also check the developer’s permits and record of past deliveries.
No. A representative can sign and register the purchase for you with a notarised power of attorney. If you sign the power of attorney abroad, it must carry an apostille.
When the purchase is registered with the Public Registry. Registration costs 150 GEL in 4 working days, 270 GEL in 1 working day or 350 GEL on the same day.
Not always. Under a Ministry of Finance decision of May 2026, a hotel-type unit that was rented out in the two years before its sale is taxed at 20% on the gain, instead of the 5% or 0% that applies to a residential apartment. Ask how the unit is registered before you buy.
An individual renting out a home for living pays 5% of the gross rent, when no expenses are deducted from that income.
Resident individuals pay property tax when their family’s income exceeds 40,000 GEL in a calendar year, and it is due by 15 November. If you are not tax resident in Georgia, confirm your case with an accountant.
Yes. Georgia has no foreign exchange controls: lari can be converted at the market rate and the money transferred abroad without limit. Taxes due in Georgia must be paid first.
If you owned the apartment for more than two years, the gain is exempt from income tax, even if you rented it out. If you sell within two years, the gain is taxed at 5%, declared and paid by the 15th of the following month. Aparthotel units can be taxed differently: see the question above.
Heirs of the first and second line under Georgian law pay no income tax on property they inherit or receive as a gift. Other recipients are exempt up to 150,000 GEL per tax year. Your own country may tax an inheritance too, so check both sides.
Checked against the sources below in November 2026.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change: confirm your case with a lawyer or accountant in Georgia.
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