New Laws in Georgia in 2026: What Will Change for Business, Crypto, and Foreigners

In 2026, Georgia is introducing mandatory work permits for foreigners and health insurance for all visitors, updating rules for the crypto market and fintech, raising the investment threshold for residence permits through real estate, and launching a national instant payment system. Simultaneously, the state is embarking on massive development projects with investors from the UAE.

Reviewed by Michel Ivanidze, Legal Counsel at Werty.

A key point is that, from 2026, cash settlements will be subject to increased scrutiny. The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) is updating its risk assessment rules for clients and operations, meaning banks and other supervised companies will have to re-evaluate the profiles of existing clients.

If you are planning to relocate, invest, or settle payments via crypto, it will be crucial in 2026 to use official, licensed services. Werty is a VASP provider registered with the National Bank of Georgia. We legally exchange USDT and other crypto at our offices in Tbilisi and Rustavi or via Georgian bank accounts. Leave a request on our website or message a manager on Telegram, and we will help calculate the amount and prepare the documents.

How Georgia’s Financial System Will Change in 2026

Georgia’s financial infrastructure is set to become more convenient for everyday payments, while, in parallel, control over the gray cash economy and opaque transfers will tighten. It will become easier for businesses and private clients to pay and accept payments digitally, and harder to conduct large cash operations without a clear history of the funds' origin.

Instant Payment System (IPS) in Georgia in 2026

In the second half of 2026, the National Bank will launch the IPS (Instant Payment System) — a system allowing money transfers between banks in 2–10 seconds, 24/7, including holidays.

What IPS offers businesses:

• Reduced dependence on POS terminals;

• Payment via QR code;

• Instant receipt of funds;

• More transparent commissions.

Instead of installing a terminal and paying commission for card operations, businesses will be able to accept payment via a QR code in the client’s banking app, with money arriving in the account almost immediately.

What changes for users:

• Transfers by phone number or ID;

• Instant payments at any time;

• Less dependence on banking hours and physical cards.

Online Currency Exchange Under NBG Control: What Awaits Clients

From 2026, websites and apps offering non-cash currency exchange must obtain an NBG license. This makes the market cleaner and more transparent.

What is changing:

• Non-cash currency exchange requires registration and an NBG license;

• Requirements are established for capital, internal control, reporting, and AML procedures;

• Online exchange is classified as financial intermediation, not just a standard “exchange booth.”

Purely cash-based exchange points can operate under old rules as long as they do not add non-cash or online exchange services. As soon as such a service appears, the new currency exchange regulations apply.

Banks and fintech services are already preparing built-in solutions for currency exchange directly within apps, while semi-underground exchangers are leaving the market.

Strengthening AML/CFT and Banking Supervision

In 2026, Georgia moves to stricter and more digital AML supervision. The National Bank will require supervised companies to assess client risk before concluding a contract and to regularly review this risk — especially if behavior, volumes, or the geography of operations change.

Michel Ivanidze, Legal Counsel at Werty.

Crypto exchanges operate on a smaller scale than banks, which enables them to conduct more thorough checks on clients and the source of their funds. Banks often lack the resources to cover their entire client base and screen them in strict compliance with the law. At the same time, a smaller volume of transactions and products allows crypto exchanges to allocate resources for an in-depth analysis of each client.

By September 30, 2026, banks and financial services must review the risks of clients they worked with prior to the new rules coming into force.

The main practical change for individuals and businesses involves cash operations. Buying and selling currency for cash, depositing and withdrawing cash from accounts, and transactions where cash is linked to virtual assets (e.g., exchanging crypto assets for cash) will be considered higher risk by financial organizations (banks, payment companies, VASPs).

Michel Ivanidze, Legal Counsel at Werty.

A digital transformation is underway across most sectors: today in Georgia, one can pay by card almost everywhere, even in small bakeries. In the Georgian economy, and the crypto sphere in particular, there is a clear trend towards reducing reliance on cash. Consequently, cash transactions will carry higher risks during client screening.

For owners of transparent, legal businesses, nothing will fundamentally change. The changes will only affect those operating in the “gray” or “black” economic zones.

Crypto activities will increasingly align with the requirements of Georgian regulators and laws. These, in turn, will increasingly align with European standards. The MiCA regulatory framework is set to come into force in the European Union soon. The majority of global financial institutions will aim to comply with this regulation to maintain correspondent relationships with European partners.

Upon the enactment of the law, financial institutions will scrutinize “Source of Funds” and “Source of Wealth” more closely, asking about the origin of the money, proof of income or savings, and the rationale behind the specific transaction structure.

If a bank or service identifies activity inconsistent with the client’s profile (for example, a sharp spike in volume, frequent conversions, unusual counterparties, or attempts to structure), it may request additional documentation or suspend the transaction.

New Rules for Crypto in Georgia in 2026

In 2026, Georgia strengthens oversight of the crypto market, introduces clear standards for crypto services, and effectively separates legal operators from informal platforms. For ordinary people and businesses, crypto will remain a working tool, but “cashing out without questions” will become noticeably more difficult.

Updated VASP Regulation in 2026

By 2026, Georgia will complete the transition to a stricter regulatory model for crypto services. VASP registration with the National Bank has been in effect since 2023, but in 2026, updated regulations consolidating uniform requirements for working with virtual assets will take effect.

For private individuals, the new rules primarily affect how they can use money. Cash operations and the exchange of crypto assets for cash are officially classified as high risk. Therefore, when depositing funds into an account, making large purchases, or investing, questions about the origin of those funds are almost inevitable. If an exchange was conducted through informal channels, confirming the source of funds becomes more difficult, making it harder to use that money further legally.

For business, the requirements are the same, but the consequences are broader. Funds received in crypto assets or cash must have a clear, pre-recorded history of origin; otherwise, they cannot be processed correctly through accounting, used in investments, real estate deals, or inter-group loans. Therefore, settlements through registered VASPs that comply with AML/CFT requirements are becoming a necessary condition for normal operations, rather than just a matter of convenience.

From 2026, any legal VASP must openly display its status: registration with the National Bank must be available in the office, on the website, in terminals, and in apps. For clients, this is a simple marker of the service’s legality before a deal even begins.

Against the backdrop of tightening rules, demand for transparent services is growing. For instance, Werty, a registered VASP with the National Bank of Georgia, operates within the new requirements. We ensure the legal exchange of crypto assets at offices in Tbilisi (Vera district) and Rustavi, as well as through Georgian bank accounts, with official receipts and transparent rates.

If you want a consultation on exchange, leave a request via the form on the Werty website or contact a manager on Telegram.

How Regulation Will Affect the Crypto Market in Georgia

Updated NBG requirements change the very practice of exchanging and turning over crypto assets. The focus is on operations without a registered operator and a documentary trail: primarily P2P exchanges, deals via bots without real offices, and “handshake” exchanges.

Separately, control is tightening over schemes involving anonymity, split payments, and attempts to explain the origin of funds without documents.

At the same time, crypto assets remain legal assets, and the market continues to function. The difference is that turnover increasingly passes through registered operators, where the operation is recorded and the source of funds is confirmed in advance. This reduces regulatory uncertainty but shrinks the space for gray and informal schemes.

Work Permits for Foreigners: Who Needs Them and When

From March 1, 2026, foreigners working in Georgia or conducting activity as an Individual Entrepreneur (IP) within the country must obtain a work permit. Remote work for foreign clients remains outside these requirements.

New Work Permit Rules from March 1, 2026

From March 1, 2026, Georgia introduces a mandatory work permit system for the majority of foreign workers.

Under the new rules, a foreigner without a Residence Permit who works for a Georgian company or conducts business as an Individual Entrepreneur inside the country is obliged to obtain a work permit — this applies to both employment and entrepreneurial activity.

Those already working in Georgia are given a transition period until January 1, 2027, to regularize their status. Violations carry fines starting from 2,000 GEL, which increase with repeated offenses.

Possible exceptions for holders of investment residence permits, specific categories of IT residents, and diplomats are being discussed. Still, details are not yet available — they will likely be established in the bylaws.

Who Will be Affected by the New Labor Migration Law

The new work permits in Georgia in 2026 are primarily addressed to those working inside the country:

• Foreign employees of Georgian companies, including management and specialists;

• Self-employed individuals and Individual Entrepreneurs providing services within Georgia;

• Startups founded in Georgia hiring foreigners.

Impact on Business

For companies, the new rules mean hiring foreigners will require more preparation: they will need to verify employee status in advance, plan for permit processing, and account for additional costs.

For small businesses and startups, hiring foreigners will become more expensive, and some entrepreneurs will likely switch to working with foreign contractors rather than local employees.

Rati Abashmadze, Managing Partner at PB Services:

Frankly speaking, the previous situation, where no work permit was required in the country at all, and anyone could just come and get a job, was rather an anomaly. I believe introducing permits is the right step. Yes, it is an additional administrative procedure for the employer, but we expect it to be reasonably simple.

An essential change in the new law is related to the Migration Service. Previously, registering foreign non-resident employees was almost a formality: we simply notified the state about the hire. Now the algorithm is changing: we send data and must wait for official permission before the person starts work. The fines for violations provided are also unpleasant, so everything must be precise.

The role of the Migration Service will grow, and interaction with it will become tighter and stricter. This likely means companies need a separate specialist for this work. However, mass fears regarding the new law are exaggerated. I do not expect a wave of rejections. Instead, this is a standard process of aligning legislation with international practice: rules will become transparent, and everyone will understand what to do and how to do it.

Mandatory Insurance for Foreigners from January 1, 2026

Separate changes concern entry into the country. From January 1, 2026, all foreigners must have health insurance for the entire duration of their stay. A fine of 300 GEL is provided for the absence of a policy, and repeated violations may result in an entry ban.

Tourists, remote workers, entrepreneurs, and investors will have to arrange insurance in advance — it may be requested both at the border and during their stay in the country.

Georgian Language Exam in 2026

In parallel, the introduction of Georgian language exams is being discussed. These will be voluntary but useful for those wishing to confirm their knowledge for work, integration, or to obtain a specific status. This continues the general course toward a more formal approach to migration and higher requirements for those planning to link their lives with Georgia long-term.

Real Estate Market in 2026: Price Growth, Eagle Hills, and Residence Permits

Analysts expect housing prices in GEL to grow moderately, by approximately 5–6% per year. Prices are rising slightly faster in coastal areas and locations near large construction sites: demand is always higher there, especially when high-profile development projects are launched.

However, one should not expect explosive growth. There are more and more new builds, and the market is slowly cooling — even the “hottest” locations are no longer growing as rapidly as a couple of years ago.

Impact of the $6 Billion UAE Investment (Eagle Hills)

One of the world’s largest developers, Emaar from the UAE, is entering Georgia through its affiliated developer, Eagle Hills. It is launching two mega-projects in Tbilisi and Batumi, totaling about $6–6.6 billion, with the construction phase expected to start in 2026. Residential complexes, hotels, serviced apartments, offices, commercial spaces, and a yacht marina will appear on plots totaling approximately 850 hectares.

Such a scale will likely change the market. The cost of land and housing in and near construction zones will rise. Government estimates suggest the projects will create over 30,000 jobs and contribute significantly to GDP, while tourist flows could increase by hundreds of thousands annually.

There will be an effect on investors, too. The premium segment will become more prominent, and part of the demand may shift from mass new builds toward large complex projects. Furthermore, a market capable of hosting and realizing mega-projects increases interest in land plots and long-term investments.

If you are purchasing real estate or making large investments, Werty helps you safely exchange crypto assets for cash or send funds to a Georgian bank account. We verify banknotes using Magner and Hitachi equipment and process transactions in a secure armored teller area.

Online order processing usually takes from a few minutes to several hours (depending on the bank). Leave a request on our website or write to a manager, and we will guide you through the terms and required documents.

2026 for Georgia marks a transition to a more formal, transparent, and protected market model:

• Financial services are becoming faster and more tech-driven (IPS);

• The crypto market — safer and more official;

• Foreigners need a clearer status: insurance, work permits;

• Real estate is developing under the influence of mega-projects.

For businesses and individuals, this means a need for greater transparency and more opportunities — clear rules simplify long-term planning.