Quick facts
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Personal visit | Not required |
| Core instrument | Notarised power of attorney to a representative |
| Two routes | Georgian consulate abroad, or a local notary plus apostille |
| Translation | Mandatory into Georgian, with the translation notarised |
| Where title is registered | National Agency of Public Registry |
| Registration time | From a few hours to several working days, depending on the tier |
| Main risk | Encumbrances that are not recorded in the registry |
Two ways to execute the power of attorney
This is the fork that determines both the timeline and the cost of preparation.
Through a Georgian consulate. If there is a Georgian consulate in your country, the power of attorney can be certified there. Such a document is accepted in Georgia directly, with no apostille required. This route is shorter and usually cheaper.
Through a local notary. If no consulate is available, the power of attorney is executed before a notary in your country. It then needs an apostille if your country is party to the 1961 Hague Convention, or consular legalisation if it is not.
In both cases, a document drawn up in a language other than Georgian must be translated into Georgian, and the translation must be notarised.
What the power of attorney must contain
A power of attorney with a general "act on my behalf" clause is not sufficient for a property transaction. It must spell out the specific authorities:
- to sign the purchase and sale agreement on your behalf
- to file documents for registration of title
- to obtain extracts and certificates from the Public Registry
- when selling: to receive funds or manage the settlement
- to represent you at the House of Justice and the public service agency
If even one of these is missing, the procedure can be suspended, and the power of attorney has to be redone from abroad. This is the most common cause of blown deadlines.
How the transaction runs
- Check the property. Before any money or signatures: who the registered owner is, whether a pledge, seizure, or other restriction exists, and whether the property's actual condition matches its permits.
- Execute the power of attorney by one of the two routes above, with translation and certification.
- Send the original documents to your representative in Georgia.
- Draft or review the purchase agreement.
- Signing by the representative and filing for registration.
- Registration of the transfer with the Public Registry.
- Settlement with the seller under the agreed arrangement.
Registration runs electronically. Speed depends on the tier selected: a standard mode taking several working days, and expedited options down to same-day. The state fee varies with the speed chosen, so the current tariff is worth confirming at the time of the deal.
The main risk of a remote deal
Buying in person, you at least see the property. Remotely, that layer of control disappears entirely, and a legal check has to replace it.
Encumbrances come in two kinds: those recorded in the registry and those that are not. The first kind shows up in an extract. The second does not, and that is where the real problem sits: unregistered third-party rights, unapproved alterations, disputes that have not yet reached the registry. What gets checked, and why in Georgia this is the buyer's job rather than the law's, is covered in the article on legal due diligence before a deal.
A second risk is specific to the remote format: a power of attorney gives your representative genuine authority over your property or your money. It makes sense to limit that authority to the specific deal and the specific property, rather than issuing a blanket document.
If you are selling
For a non-resident seller the mechanics are the same, but the question of moving the money is added. Settling through a Georgian bank account rather than in cash is more practical: it leaves a documented trail on the origin of funds, which will be needed for onward transfers.
It is also worth calculating the tax consequences of the sale in advance, since they depend on how long you held the property and on your tax status.
The link to residence permits
If the purchase is meant to support a residence permit application, two details need settling before the deal. First, from 1 March 2026 the threshold rose to USD 150,000. Second, what counts is not the contract price but a market valuation from a certified assessor, and those two figures can diverge noticeably. This is covered in the article on residence permits through property.
Can I buy an apartment in Georgia without ever visiting?
Yes. The transaction is handled by a representative under a notarised power of attorney, and title registration goes through the Public Registry without the buyer being present.
Does the power of attorney need an apostille?
It depends on the route. A power of attorney certified at a Georgian consulate abroad is accepted without an apostille. One executed before a local notary needs an apostille for Hague Convention countries, or consular legalisation for the rest.
How long does title registration take?
The Public Registry offers several tiers: a standard mode over several working days, and expedited options down to same-day registration. The state fee depends on the speed selected.
Does the power of attorney have to be translated into Georgian?
Yes. A document in a foreign language must be translated into Georgian, and the translation must be notarised.
Can I issue one power of attorney covering several transactions?
Technically yes, but for a remote deal that raises the risk. It is safer to limit the document to a specific property and a specific set of actions.
What happens if an authority is missing from the document?
The procedure will be suspended, and the power of attorney has to be executed again abroad with the full chain of certifications. That is why the list of authorities is agreed before the visit to the notary.