How to Open a Bank Account in Georgia Remotely: Non-Resident Guide 2026

Quick facts

Who can open a Georgian bank account remotely?

Any foreign national holding a valid passport and able to execute a notarised power of attorney can open an account in Georgia through a local representative. Georgian citizenship, a residence permit, and physical presence in the country are not required.

Banks impose no nationality restrictions as such, but they apply enhanced scrutiny to applicants from countries flagged as high-risk under FATF standards or covered by international sanctions. If your country falls into that category, expect additional document requests or, in some cases, a refusal without stated reason.

How opening an account by power of attorney works

Your representative in Georgia visits the bank, undergoes the client identification procedure, and opens an account in your name. The bank deals with the representative, but you remain the sole account holder.

The POA must list specific authorities: to open bank accounts, to receive debit cards, to enrol in online banking, and to manage the account. A general "act on my behalf" clause is usually insufficient. If any of these powers is missing, the bank will either decline or limit what the representative can do.

Georgian banks do not accept electronic or digital signatures on POAs. The document must be signed in person before a notary.

Apostille, notarisation, and translation

For most countries, the POA must be: notarised, apostilled, and translated into Georgian by a certified translator.

Apostille is required when your country is party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. This covers most of Europe, the USA, Canada, Israel, the UAE, and many others. The apostille is affixed to the POA or to the notarial certificate attached to it.

Apostille is not required for countries that have a bilateral legal assistance treaty with Georgia. This applies to several CIS states. For these, notarisation alone is sufficient. Verify the current list before sending documents, as treaty status can change.

A Georgian translation of the POA is always required. A certified translation in Tbilisi typically costs 30–80 GEL per page, depending on turnaround time.

Some banks also require a notarised copy of your passport, translated into Georgian. Confirm requirements with the specific bank in advance, as these vary.

What the bank asks in KYC

KYC (Know Your Customer) is a standard bank compliance procedure. For non-residents, it typically covers three areas.

Source of wealth: where your money comes from as a general matter: employment, business income, inheritance, proceeds from property sales. This is a question about the origin of your capital, not a specific transaction.

Source of income: what funds will flow into this account: freelance fees, salary from a foreign employer, dividends, client payments. The bank wants to understand whose accounts will be sending you money.

Expected turnover: a rough estimate of monthly or annual activity. Exact figures are not required. What matters is that actual activity does not diverge dramatically from what you stated.

Georgian banks, unlike their European counterparts, do not generally require proof of residential address for a basic account opening. Under enhanced KYC, however, a lease agreement, utility bill, or similar document may be requested.

Step-by-step process for remote account opening

1. Choose a bank based on your needs. TBC: the best mobile banking experience in the region. BOG: the widest branch network. Terabank or Liberty if the major banks decline.
2. Contact the bank (or our team) to confirm current document requirements. Bank policies change, so treat any website information as a starting point to verify by phone or chat.
3. Prepare your documents: valid passport, notarised copy, and evidence of income source if required.
4. Execute a power of attorney before a notary in your country, including all necessary authorities: opening accounts, receiving cards, managing the account, setting up online banking.
5. Apostille the POA at the competent authority in your country, if required.
6. Have the POA translated into Georgian by a certified translator.
7. Send the documents to your representative in Georgia: in person, by courier, or as scanned copies for preliminary bank pre-approval.
8. Your representative visits the bank with original documents and submits the account application.
9. The bank reviews the application through its internal KYC process. This takes from a few days to two to three weeks.
10. You receive account details and online banking access. The debit card is typically mailed to you or handed to the representative.

Bank comparison for non-residents

Accurate as of July 2026. Confirm requirements directly with the bank before opening an account, as policies change.

Power of attorney vs personal visit

Why a bank may refuse and what to do

Georgian banks are not required to explain a refusal. In practice, however, a few patterns account for most rejections.

Sanctions exposure. If you are a citizen or resident of a sanctioned country or a jurisdiction assessed as high-risk under FATF standards, most major banks will decline.

Incomplete document package. A POA missing one of the required authorities, or one that lacks a Georgian translation, is the most common, and most easily corrected, reason for refusal.

Unusual transaction profile. If the stated turnover or income source raises compliance questions, the bank may decline or request supporting documents. Frequent inflows from high-risk countries, crypto-related activity, or transit payment structures draw particular scrutiny.

Prolonged inactivity. An account with no transactions for 12 months or more may be blocked or closed by the bank unilaterally.

If one bank declines, applying to another is sensible: each bank sets its own KYC thresholds, and what is a problem for TBC may not be one for Terabank or Liberty. If rejections repeat, the issue is likely a specific document or client profile element. Getting professional advice before the next application saves time.

Can I open a Georgian bank account if I am based in Russia?

Yes. Russian nationals open accounts in Georgian banks by power of attorney. An apostille is generally not required for Russia under the bilateral legal assistance framework. Notarisation is sufficient. Verify current requirements with the specific bank, as policies can change.

Is an apostille on the power of attorney required?

For most European countries, the USA, Israel, the UAE, and other Hague Convention signatories, yes. For CIS countries that have a bilateral treaty with Georgia, notarisation alone is typically sufficient. Check the requirement for your specific country before preparing documents.

In which currencies can I open an account?

The standard three are GEL (Georgian lari), USD, and EUR. TBC and Bank of Georgia also offer GBP accounts. Each currency is a separate sub-account under the same service agreement.

Is proof of address required?

Usually not. Georgian banks do not typically require utility bills or rental contracts for a basic account opening, unlike most European banks. Under enhanced KYC the bank may request it additionally.

What does the bank ask during KYC?

Three areas: source of wealth (origin of your capital generally), source of income (what will flow into this account), and expected turnover. Occasionally the bank requests client contracts or business activity documents.

How long does remote account opening take?

Document preparation (notary, apostille, translation) takes one to two weeks. The bank's review takes from a few days to two to three weeks. Total: around two to four weeks from decision to receiving account details.

Can I open a corporate account remotely in the same way?

Yes. A corporate account follows the same principle: a POA from the company director or an authorised signatory, plus company documents (articles of association, registry extract, director appointment decision). Banks generally apply stricter KYC to corporate clients than to individuals.

Can a Georgian bank account be blocked after opening?

Yes. The most common triggers: transactions inconsistent with the stated client profile, payments involving sanctioned individuals or countries, extended inactivity, or failure to respond to a KYC update request within the bank's deadline.

Do I need a Georgian tax number to open an account?

For individuals, no. For individual entrepreneurs already registered in Georgia, the bank may request a tax identification number (TIN). Georgian TINs are assigned automatically upon IE registration.