Skip to main content

Georgia (GE)

Caucasus gateway with long visa-free stays for many nationalities, low business taxes, mountain-and-wine culture, and a fast-changing 2026 work-permit environment.

Capital: Tbilisi
Region: Europe
Language: Georgian
Currency: GEL (₾)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 34)
Emergency: 112
Premium

Scam Warnings

Common scams targeting expats in Georgia.

Georgia (the country) has become one of the fastest-growing expat destinations in the world due to its very liberal residency rules, low taxes, and low cost of living. This popularity has attracted scammers who specifically target newcomers unfamiliar with local processes — particularly around rentals, property purchase, Georgian tax registration, and visa/residency services. The Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA — gcca.gov.ge) recorded a 47 % increase in consumer protection applications in 2025. Three golden rules: Georgia's tax ID (TIN) registration at the Revenue Service is free and takes one to two hours — anyone charging a fee for this is scamming you; never pay a rental deposit before viewing the property in person; and verify any investment firm with the National Bank of Georgia (nbg.gov.ge) before sending money. Emergency: 112 (police, fire, medical — free, English-speaking operators often available).

Fake Rental Listing or Advance Deposit Scam

critical

Tbilisi and Batumi are among the most popular expat destinations in Eastern Europe, with high rental demand from digital nomads, remote workers, and long-term residents. Fraudulent listings appear on Facebook groups, Airbnb-style platforms, and classified sites. Attractive apartments in central Tbilisi (Vake, Vera, Mtatsminda) or Batumi beachfront are advertised at competitive prices. The "landlord" is abroad and requests a deposit before any viewing to "hold" the apartment. Once paid, they disappear.

How to spot it
  • - Price is noticeably below current Tbilisi or Batumi market rates for the area
  • - Landlord is "out of the country" and unavailable for an in-person or live video viewing of the actual property
  • - Deposit required before any viewing to "secure" the apartment
  • - Communication only via Telegram or WhatsApp with a non-Georgian number
  • - Listing photos appear on multiple different listings — reverse image search them
  • - No verifiable agent name, real estate office, or property cadastral number provided
What to do: Never pay any deposit before viewing the property in person. Verify the property cadastral record via the National Agency of Public Registry (napr.gov.ge — free access). Use a verified local estate agent or the MyHome.ge or SS.ge property portals which show verified listings. Report fraud to 112.

Fake "Fixer" for Georgian TIN / Tax ID Registration

critical

Georgia's individual taxpayer identification number (TIN / PIN) is free and issued same-day at any Revenue Service Georgia service centre (rs.ge) or Public Service Hall. Scammers — often found in expat Facebook groups — offer to "arrange" or "expedite" TIN registration for a fee of USD 30–150. The service they provide is exactly what you can do yourself for free in under two hours. Registering a company (LLC/Individual Entrepreneur) is also inexpensive and straightforward through official channels.

How to spot it
  • - Any offer of TIN registration or assistance that involves paying a private third party
  • - Claim that the process is "complicated for foreigners" and requires an agent
  • - Request for your passport in advance to "pre-process" the registration
  • - High fee charged for something that is free at the government service centre
What to do: Visit a Revenue Service Georgia centre (rs.ge) or Public Service Hall in person with your original passport. The TIN is free, issued same-day, and takes one to two hours. You do not need any agent or third party for individual TIN registration.

Bank Phishing and Fake Courier / Delivery Links

critical

SMS, Telegram, or email messages impersonate TBC Bank, Bank of Georgia, or Credo Bank, claiming your account is blocked or that a transaction requires verification. A link leads to a convincing fake login page that captures card details or OTP codes. Fake courier delivery messages ("your parcel is held — pay a small fee") also appear, impersonating Georgian Post or international couriers.

How to spot it
  • - Unsolicited message with a link asking you to log into your bank or confirm card details
  • - Link is a shortened URL or does not exactly match the bank's official domain
  • - Urgent warning: "your account will be suspended in 24 hours"
  • - Any request for your OTP code — TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia never ask for OTP via SMS link
  • - Small "release fee" via a payment link to receive a parcel — official couriers do not operate this way
What to do: Never click unsolicited links. Go directly to your bank's official app (TBC: tbcbank.ge; Bank of Georgia: bankofgeorgia.ge) or call the number on your card. Freeze your card via your banking app if any details were shared. Report to the bank's fraud team and to 112.

Crypto and Investment Social Scam

critical

A new contact — met online or in an expat community — builds rapport and then promotes a guaranteed crypto trading platform, forex fund, or Georgian real estate flip with "exclusive" returns. The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) warns that unlicensed investment schemes targeting expats are active. Pig-butchering scams (extended online relationship followed by a fake investment platform) have been reported in the Tbilisi expat community.

How to spot it
  • - Contact promotes investment with guaranteed or very high returns
  • - Pressure to recruit friends and family for referral bonuses
  • - Platform or adviser is not registered with the National Bank of Georgia (nbg.gov.ge)
  • - Withdrawal is always delayed or blocked by a "technical issue" or new fee requirement
  • - Elaborate personal story shared to build trust before the investment topic arises
What to do: Verify any investment firm or adviser with the National Bank of Georgia at nbg.gov.ge. Never invest based on recommendations from people you have met only online. Report to the NBG consumer protection division (nbg.gov.ge/en/page/consumer-protection) and to 112.

Property Title Shortcut Fraud

critical

Georgia's transparent and digitised property registration system (napr.gov.ge) makes it easy to verify title, but some sellers or developers pressure buyers to skip independent title checks. Risks include purchasing from a person who is not the legal owner, buying a property with existing liens or mortgages, or purchasing unregistered construction that cannot be titled. This is confirmed as one of the most common real estate scams targeting foreign buyers in Tbilisi.

How to spot it
  • - Seller discourages obtaining an independent cadastral extract from the Public Registry
  • - Transaction involves only a power of attorney rather than the registered owner in person
  • - Property is part of an unregistered development or a building under construction with no title yet
  • - Price is offered at a significant "discount" if you sign and pay quickly
  • - Seller's documentation does not match the napr.gov.ge extract
What to do: Always obtain an independent cadastral extract from the National Agency of Public Registry (napr.gov.ge) — this is inexpensive and shows the real owner, all encumbrances, and registered area. Use an independent Georgian property lawyer for any purchase.

Taxi Off-App Overcharging

warning

Airport and street taxis in Tbilisi and Batumi quote inflated fares to newcomers unfamiliar with local prices. Tbilisi airport taxi touts are well documented in expat reports. Legitimate fares from Tbilisi International Airport to the city centre are typically GEL 30–50 via Bolt.

How to spot it
  • - Driver refuses to use a ride-hailing app or set a fixed fare before departure
  • - Fare quoted verbally and then changed on arrival at destination
  • - Aggressive approach at arrivals — drivers are not permitted to solicit inside the terminal
  • - Driver takes an unnecessarily long route
What to do: Use Bolt (available throughout Georgia) or Yandex Go for all taxi journeys. These apps show the fare before you book. If you must use a street taxi: agree on the exact GEL fare before getting in. Do not rely on verbal agreements.

Fake Police or Immigration Call

critical

Callers claiming to be from the Georgian Patrol Police, Border Police, or Revenue Service demand immediate payment to avoid deportation, a fine, or an arrest warrant. They may know your name and partial address from publicly available expat registration data. Georgian authorities do not demand immediate payment by phone or bank transfer.

How to spot it
  • - Caller demands immediate payment by bank transfer, card, or cryptocurrency to avoid legal action
  • - Creates extreme urgency and threatens arrest, deportation, or visa cancellation
  • - No written notice precedes the call — all legitimate Georgian official actions arrive in writing
  • - Official email address provided is clearly not a .gov.ge domain
What to do: Hang up immediately. Call the official Georgian Police at 112 to verify whether any action is under way. Check your Georgian Revenue Service account (rs.ge) for any genuine outstanding obligations. Report the call to 112.

Restaurant or Bar Bill Overcharge

warning

Some establishments in heavily tourist-frequented areas of Tbilisi (Old Town, Rustaveli, Abanotubani) or Batumi add undisclosed service charges, inflate bills for foreign-looking customers, or bring unsolicited dishes that appear on the final bill. Georgia does not have a standardised tourist tax, but some venues invent extra charges.

How to spot it
  • - Menu does not display prices or prices are unclear
  • - Staff brings bread, appetisers, or drinks without being asked — these may be charged
  • - Bill includes "service charge" or "cover charge" not mentioned on the menu
  • - Cash-only venue where the bill cannot be disputed electronically
What to do: Check menu prices before ordering. Ask explicitly whether placed items are complimentary or charged. Review the full bill before paying. Pay by card where possible. Dispute excessive charges with the GCCA (gcca.gov.ge).

Small Business Status Tax Misinformation

warning

Some informal advisers in expat communities claim that all freelancers and remote workers in Georgia automatically qualify for the 1 % Small Business Status flat tax with no other obligations. In reality, eligibility depends on activity type, annual turnover thresholds, VAT registration rules, and your immigration/labour migration status. Incorrect advice can lead to unexpected tax liabilities.

How to spot it
  • - Adviser provides blanket guarantees without examining your specific income type and amount
  • - Ignores the GEL 500,000 annual turnover threshold for Small Business Status
  • - Ignores VAT registration obligations above the GEL 100,000 threshold
  • - Does not mention the requirement to check labour migration permit status for certain nationalities
  • - Provides advice without engaging a licensed accountant or confirming with the Revenue Service
What to do: Obtain written confirmation from the Revenue Service of Georgia (rs.ge) about your specific tax situation. Engage a licensed Georgian accountant for any business registration or tax structuring decision.

Reporting

Where to report: Emergency (police / fire / medical): 112 — Georgia's single national emergency number; English-speaking operators often available. Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA) — consumer fraud, overcharging, misleading practices: gcca.gov.ge. National Bank of Georgia (NBG) — financial services fraud, unlicensed investment: nbg.gov.ge, consumer protection division: nbg.gov.ge/en/page/consumer-protection. National Agency of Public Registry — property title verification: napr.gov.ge. Revenue Service of Georgia — TIN registration, tax matters: rs.ge.

Consumer helpline: Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA): gcca.gov.ge (free complaint submission, hotline in Georgian). National Bank of Georgia consumer protection: nbg.gov.ge/en/page/consumer-protection (free). Emergency: 112.