How to Register an Individual Entrepreneur in Person in Georgia (2026)
A foreign national who is physically present in Georgia can register an Individual Entrepreneur (IE) in person at the Public Service Hall, usually within one working day. You need your passport, a Georgian phone number and a legal address; after registration your data is linked to the Revenue Service, where you can apply for Small Business status if you qualify.
Last reviewed: 12 July 2026 · Last checked: 28 July 2026
Georgia allows a foreign national to register an Individual Entrepreneur (IE) in person through a fast procedure at the Public Service Hall.
In-person registration is commonly used by freelancers, IT specialists, consultants and other remote service providers. See also the guides on running a business in Georgia and business statuses in Georgia. If you cannot travel to Georgia, an IE can also be registered remotely through a Power of Attorney.
Who can register in person
To register an Individual Entrepreneur (IE) in person you must be physically present in Georgia. Foreign nationals may apply regardless of the basis of their lawful stay in Georgia, including as:
- visa-free visitor;
- long-stay (D) visa holder;
- Georgian residence permit holder.
Required documents
You need only a minimal set of documents:
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport (original) | Presented at the counter |
| Georgian mobile number | Required to complete SMS verification during the registration process. |
| Legal address in Georgia | A mandatory for registration (see legal address for a company in Georgia) |
Because a Georgian phone number is required for SMS verification, it is necessary to obtain a local SIM card or eSIM before visiting the Public Service Hall.
Step-by-step process
| Step | Action | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Be physically present in Georgia | — |
| 2 | Ensure you have consent of the owner of the property you want to use as a legal address | — |
| 3 | Obtain a Georgian phone number or eSIM for SMS verification | Mobile Operator |
| 4 | Submit your IE registration application, passport, indicate legal address and other required information | Public Service Hall / Public Registry |
| 5 | Pay applicable fee | Public Service Hall / Public Registry |
| 6 | Receive your Individual Entrepreneur registration extract (available in Georgian and in English) | Public Service Hall / Public Registry |
| 7 | Your registration details are automatically transmitted to the Revenue Service for tax registration | Revenue Service of Georgia |
The registration procedure is completed at the Public Service Hall and, under the standard procedure, is usually completed within one working day (or on the same day if the expedited service is selected).
State fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Registration of an Individual Entrepreneur (next working day) | GEL 26 |
| Registration of an Individual Entrepreneur (same day) | GEL 75 |
| Registration extract in English (optional) | GEL 26 |
| Certification of signatures on a submitted document | GEL 7 |
The registration extract
Once the registration is completed, the National Agency of Public Registry issues an official registration extract confirming your status as an Individual Entrepreneur and your identification number. The extract is prepared in Georgian and, if requested, may also be issued in English.
Registration with the Revenue Service
Following registration, your Individual Entrepreneur details are automatically transmitted to the Revenue Service of Georgia, allowing you to fulfil your tax obligations. You can access your tax account through the Revenue Service’s online portal to manage declarations, payments and other tax-related matters.
Small Business status
For many freelancers, consultants, IT specialists and other service providers, Small Business Status is the preferred tax regime because it applies a 1% tax rate on annual turnover of up to GEL 500,000, subject to the statutory conditions. See Small Business status in Georgia for the eligibility criteria and application process, and tax obligations of a small business for what you must file once you start trading.
The right to work for self-employed foreign nationals
Registering as an Individual Entrepreneur does not, by itself, authorise every foreign national to carry out entrepreneurial activity in Georgia.
In some cases, foreign nationals who intend to carry out entrepreneurial activity in Georgia must first obtain the right to work. The application is submitted in person to the State Employment Promotion Agency.
As part of the procedure, applicants must complete a mandatory video interview conducted in Georgian or English (an interpreter may participate). During the interview, the applicant must present the original passport used for the application. Failure to attend the interview, confirm the application or present the original passport may result in the application being refused.
Self-employed applicants must generally demonstrate:
- an annual turnover of at least GEL 50,000 per foreign national applying for the right to work;
- documents confirming their field of entrepreneurial activity; and
- compliance with the other requirements established by Georgian labour migration legislation.
Whether an Individual Entrepreneur must obtain the right to work depends on the nature of the activity carried out and the applicant’s migration status. Although Georgian legislation provides exceptions for certain activities falling outside the scope of the Law on Labour Migration, these exceptions are limited and should be assessed on a case-by-case basis. See the right to work in Georgia guide for a detailed explanation.
Using your Individual Entrepreneur
Once your Individual Entrepreneur is registered and any required tax status has been activated, you can open a open a business bank account, sign contracts, issue invoices, receive payments and carry out your business activities.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register an Individual Entrepreneur in person as a foreigner?
Yes. Any foreign national who is physically present in Georgia can register an IE at the Public Service Hall, regardless of whether they entered visa-free, on a long-stay (D) visa or hold a residence permit.
What documents do I need to register in person?
You need your original passport, a Georgian mobile phone number for SMS verification, and a legal address in Georgia. Registration is completed on-site by an operator at the counter.
How long does in-person registration take?
Registration is usually completed within one working day. You receive an official business extract electronically, issued in Georgian and English, confirming the IE registration.
Do I need a legal address to register?
Yes. A legal address in Georgia is a mandatory registration detail recorded in the Entrepreneurial Registry. It can be your own address or a third-party address used with the owner's consent. See the guide on legal address for a company in Georgia.
Do I need a work permit as a foreign entrepreneur?
Generally yes. Since 1 March 2026 carrying out entrepreneurial activity in Georgia requires the right to work unless an exemption applies. Ordinance No 321 of 9 July 2026 made the self-employed route stricter: you must apply in person rather than through a representative, pass a compulsory video interview with the Agency in Georgian or English holding your original passport, and evidence annual turnover of at least GEL 50,000 per applicant — although a newly registered IE is excused from the turnover certificate for the first three months. Note too that the exemption for serving foreign clients does not apply to an individual entrepreneur who needs a residence permit to stay lawfully. See the right to work in Georgia guide.