News & Insights
Legal updates, guides, and commentary on Georgian law and practice.
Georgia Announces Stricter Migration Rules: New Language Requirements, Quotas for Students, Criminal Penalties for Fictitious Marriages
Georgia's Interior Ministry unveiled sweeping legislative amendments on June 8, 2026, introducing language exams and enrollment quotas for international students, criminalizing marriage-based immigration fraud, and granting the Migration Department new surveillance powers.
TK Counsel editorial · 9 June 2026
FamilyGeorgia Moves to Shield Maternity Leave Payments from Seizure Under New Draft Law
Georgian Dream lawmakers have submitted a draft amendment to the Law on Enforcement Proceedings that would exempt state-funded maternity and childcare leave payments from seizure or enforcement proceedings, protecting up to GEL 2,000 in benefits from creditors.
TK Counsel editorial · 3 June 2026
AdministrativeGeorgia Launches Electricity Metering Campaign in Svaneti to Combat Illegal Crypto Mining
Georgia's State Minister Mamuka Mdinaradze announced on June 1 that the government will begin installing electricity metering equipment across all villages and settlements in Svaneti, targeting illegal crypto mining operations that consumed 133 million kWh in 2025 — thirteen times the norm for a municipality of comparable scale.
TK Counsel editorial · 2 June 2026
Banking ComplianceCrypto-Related Bank Account Freezes in Georgia: Source-of-Funds and Compliance Guide
Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank actively monitor crypto-to-fiat transactions. This guide explains what triggers account restrictions, what documents banks ask for, and how to protect yourself — or recover access.
TK Counsel editorial · 29 May 2026
Financial ServicesGEL₮ Stablecoin in Georgia: What the Tether Announcement Means for Businesses and Compliance
Tether announced GEL₮, a Georgian lari stablecoin, on May 25, 2026. We break down what is confirmed, what remains unclear, and the regulatory risks businesses should understand before touching this token.
TK Counsel editorial · 29 May 2026
Policy UpdatesSix Officers Arrested After Police Beating in Gori — Prosecutors Charge Article 333 Exceeding Official Powers
Georgian prosecutors arrested six law enforcement officers on May 28 for a violent incident in Gori captured on video, charging them under Article 333 of the Criminal Code with 5–8 years' imprisonment.
TK Counsel editorial · 29 May 2026
Financial ServicesGeorgia Stablecoin Regulation 2026: NBG Order No. 52/04 Explained
On March 6, 2026, the National Bank of Georgia issued Order No. 52/04 establishing the rules for stablecoin issuance by VASPs. This article explains what the rule requires, who it applies to, and what it means for businesses operating in Georgia's crypto space.
TK Counsel editorial · 29 May 2026
AdministrativeGeorgia Launches Criminal Investigation After Police Caught on Video Beating Men in Gori
Prosecutors opened a criminal case under Article 333 Part 3 of Georgia's Criminal Code after video emerged showing police officers beating two men in Gori — a move legal observers say reflects mounting pressure on law enforcement accountability.
TK Counsel editorial · 28 May 2026
BankingUK Sanctions Three Georgia-Registered Companies for Russia Sanctions Evasion
The United Kingdom has sanctioned three Georgia-registered companies operating Russia-focused crypto exchanges, with the Investigation Service of Georgia's Finance Ministry subsequently revealing criminal convictions and prison terms for their Georgian-registered operators.
TK Counsel editorial · 27 May 2026
CorporateFormer Georgian Economy Minister Leads SOCAR's Italian Acquisition Following EU Sanctions Scrutiny on Kulevi Port
Levan Davitashvili, Georgia's former economy minister, has been appointed CEO of Italiana Petroli after its acquisition by Azerbaijan's SOCAR, months after he was questioned by Georgia's Anti-Corruption Agency over an oil sector contract.
TK Counsel editorial · 16 May 2026
MobilityGeorgia Ranks Second in EU Returns for 2025: What the Eurostat Data Means for Georgian Citizens
Eurostat data shows 10,475 Georgian citizens were returned from the EU in 2025, making Georgia the second-largest group of third-country nationals returned from the bloc.
TK Counsel editorial · 15 May 2026
BankingNational Bank of Georgia Raises Refinancing Rate to 8.25% — First Change in Two Years
The National Bank of Georgia's Monetary Policy Committee has raised the key refinancing rate by 0.25 percentage points to 8.25%, citing supply-side inflation driven by Middle East tensions and disruptions to Strait of Hormuz shipping.
TK Counsel editorial · 7 May 2026
MobilityNew Standards for Remote Work in Georgia (2026): Your Exemption Guide
Georgia has officially exempted remote professionals working for foreign companies from local labor migration rules. Here is what this significant update means for your legal status and compliance.
TK Counsel editorial · 16 April 2026
CorporateThe April 1, 2026 Re-Registration Deadline: A Survival Guide for Georgian Companies
Companies registered under older rules may need to align charter and registry data with the Law of Georgia on Entrepreneurs. Here is how to think about timing, NAPR, and digital channels.
TK Counsel editorial · 1 April 2026
Tax & Remote WorkStructuring Foreign Service Contracts for Georgia’s 1% Small Business Status
Contract patterns that support IE and Small Business Status eligibility—and wording that often triggers Revenue Service pushback.
TK Counsel editorial · 30 March 2026
AdministrativeApostille vs Legalization in Tbilisi: A Guide for Expats
Hague apostille chains vs MFA legalization, Public Service Hall steps, and why translation order matters for Georgian banks and NAPR.
TK Counsel editorial · 30 March 2026
ImmigrationNavigating the D-Category Immigration Visa in Georgia
How Georgia’s immigration (D) visa fits into employment, investment, and study routes—and why consular sequencing matters before residence filings.
TK Counsel editorial · 30 March 2026
Tax & Remote WorkDisguised Employment and Revenue Service Scrutiny in Georgia (Remote Workers)
Why Georgian tax auditors care how your foreign client contracts read—and how independent B2B structuring differs from employment on paper.
TK Counsel editorial · 30 March 2026
Dispute ResolutionEnforcing Foreign Judgments and Arbitral Awards in Georgia
How international awards and foreign court decisions can become enforceable in Georgia—and why the right court, documents, and timing matter.
TK Counsel editorial · 30 March 2026
ImmigrationUnderstanding Georgia’s Visa-Free Entry Rules (2026)
Visa-free entry under Government Resolution No. 255 is not the same as every residence purpose. How long you may stay and what you may do next still follow the Law on Aliens.
TK Counsel editorial · 30 March 2026
Dispute ResolutionArbitration vs State Courts in Georgia: Strategy and Timelines
When arbitration clauses, institutional rules (e.g. GIAC), or Tbilisi court practice affect how fast and how far a commercial dispute can move.
TK Counsel editorial · 30 March 2026
CorporateBeyond the PO Box: Economic Substance and Legal Address in Georgia
Why a reachable legal address and coherent operational narrative matter for NAPR, the Revenue Service, and Georgian bank KYC in 2026.
TK Counsel editorial · 30 March 2026
RelocationImporting Personal Household Goods to Georgia
How relocation-related customs relief under Georgian tax and customs law interacts with residence timing, inventories, and Revenue Service declarations.
TK Counsel editorial · 30 March 2026
AdministrativeHow to Notarize Documents Remotely in Georgia
When Georgian law allows electronic or remote notarial acts—and why identity, platform, and act type must match the Law on Notaries and Notary Chamber rules.
TK Counsel editorial · 30 March 2026
RelocationImporting and Registering a Foreign Vehicle in Georgia (2026)
Environmental rules, temporary import limits, and MIA Service Agency registration—plan before you ship or drive your car to Tbilisi.
TK Counsel editorial · 30 March 2026
FamilyDivorce in Georgia When One Spouse Is Abroad
A practical guide to Georgian divorce matters where one spouse lives abroad, including documents, service issues, powers of attorney, and procedural planning.
TK Counsel editorial · 29 March 2026
EmploymentEmployment Contracts in Georgia: What Must Be Written Down
A practical guide to Georgian employment contracts, including mandatory terms, common drafting mistakes, and what employers should document before hiring.
TK Counsel editorial · 29 March 2026
CorporateLLC vs Individual Entrepreneur in Georgia: Which Structure Fits?
A practical comparison of LLC and IE registration in Georgia for foreign founders, including liability, tax positioning, banking, and day-one compliance.
TK Counsel editorial · 29 March 2026
FamilyPrenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements in Georgia
A practical guide to marriage agreements in Georgia, including what they can cover, when to sign, and why cross-border couples should draft them carefully.
TK Counsel editorial · 29 March 2026
Real EstateProperty Due Diligence in Georgia: What to Check Before You Buy
A practical due-diligence checklist for buyers in Georgia: title, encumbrances, seller authority, land classification, payment mechanics, and registry risks.
TK Counsel editorial · 29 March 2026
CorporateRemote Company Registration in Georgia by Power of Attorney
How remote founders use a power of attorney to register a company in Georgia, what can be delegated, and where banking and compliance still require careful planning.
TK Counsel editorial · 29 March 2026
BankingSource of Funds and AML in Georgia: What Banks Want to See
A practical guide to source-of-funds preparation for Georgian bank onboarding, including what banks review, where applications fail, and how to present a coherent file.
TK Counsel editorial · 29 March 2026
EmploymentTermination and Severance in Georgia: Employer Risk Points
A practical overview of termination risk in Georgia, including process, documentation, severance exposure, and why rushed exits create avoidable disputes.
TK Counsel editorial · 29 March 2026
CorporateThe 1% Tax Trap: How Digital Nomads Must Register in Georgia (2026)
Georgia's 1% Small Business Status is a magnet for IT workers and freelancers—but misclassification, missed filings, and residency rules can trigger retroactive 20% tax and fines. Here's how to register and stay compliant in 2026.
TK Counsel editorial · 10 March 2026
BankingSurviving Georgian Bank KYC: Opening an Account as a Foreigner
In 2026 you can't just walk in with a passport. Here's what Georgian banks require—KYC forms, proof of income, client contracts—and how to get an English-speaking banker with BOG Solo or TBC Concept.
TK Counsel editorial · 8 March 2026
Real EstateMoving to Tbilisi: The Ultimate Neighborhood & Real Estate Guide
Where to look for apartments (MyHome.ge, SS.ge), which neighborhoods suit expats (Vake, Saburtalo, Vera, Chugureti), and how to avoid rental scams and legal pitfalls in 2026.
TK Counsel editorial · 5 March 2026
ResidencyGeorgian Residency & Visa Update: What Changed in 2026
A concise overview of the latest changes to residency and visa rules for internationals in Georgia.
TK Counsel editorial · 1 March 2026
CorporateThe 1% Small Business Status: A Practical Guide
How the 1% turnover tax regime works and who can benefit from it.
TK Counsel editorial · 15 February 2026
BankingBanking in Georgia: KYC Tips for New Account Openers
How to prepare for KYC and AML checks when opening a Georgian bank account.
TK Counsel editorial · 1 February 2026
Policy UpdatesMandatory 30,000 GEL Travel Insurance Georgia (2026)
From January 2026, all tourists entering Georgia must have health and accident insurance with minimum coverage of 30,000 GEL. What you need to know and how to stay compliant.
TK Counsel editorial · 15 January 2026