Registering a Company in Georgia: Business Forms and Setup
Under the Law of Georgia on Entrepreneurs, foreigners can set up a Georgian company on the same terms as locals. Registration is handled by the National Agency of Public Registry, counts as both state and tax registration, and the company exists from the moment it is registered. The law recognises five company forms — general partnership, limited partnership, LLC, joint-stock company and cooperative — and the LLC is the most common, with no minimum capital requirement.
Last reviewed: 10 July 2026 · Last checked: 28 July 2026
Foreign individuals and foreign legal entities may establish and own Georgian companies on the same terms as Georgian nationals and companies. There are no citizenship or residency requirements to become a shareholder or a director.
Business forms
Business activities in Georgia may be carried out either as an Individual Entrepreneur or through a company.
The Law on Entrepreneurs recognises five types of company:
- General Partnership (GP);
- Limited Partnership (LP);
- Limited Liability Company (LLC);
- Joint Stock Company (JSC); and
- Cooperative.
For most foreign investors and small or medium-sized businesses, the Limited Liability Company (LLC) is the preferred and most commonly used business structure.
Comparison of company forms
| Form | Founders | Liability | Ownership | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Partnership (GP) | Two or more partners | Unlimited – each partner is jointly and personally liable for the partnership’s obligations | Partners’ contributions; all partners manage the business | Businesses based on close personal trust |
| Limited Partnership (LP) | At least one general partner and one limited partner | General partners have unlimited liability; limited partners are liable only up to their agreed contribution | Partners’ contributions; management rests with the general partners | Businesses seeking passive investment |
| Limited Liability Company (LLC) | One or more persons (individuals or legal entities) | Limited to each shareholder’s contribution | Share capital divided into shares; no statutory minimum capital | Most small and medium-sized businesses |
| Joint Stock Company (JSC) | One or more shareholders | Limited to the value of the shares held | Share capital divided into shares that may be publicly or privately traded | Larger businesses and investment ventures |
| Cooperative | Five or more members | Limited to the extent provided by law and the charter | Membership contributions | Businesses established for the mutual economic benefit of their members |
General and limited partnerships
A general partnership (GP) is formed by two or more partners who carry on a business together. Each partner has the right to participate in management and is jointly and personally liable for the partnership’s obligations.
A limited partnership (LP) has two categories of partner:
- general partners, who manage the partnership and have unlimited liability; and
- limited partners, who contribute capital but do not participate in management and are liable only up to the amount of their agreed contribution.
Joint Stock Company (JSC)
A Joint Stock Company (JSC) is generally used for larger businesses or ventures seeking external investment. Its share capital is divided into shares, which may be transferred and, where permitted, offered or traded publicly.
Shareholders are not personally liable for the company’s obligations beyond the value of their shares.
Compared with an LLC, a JSC has a more formal corporate governance structure, typically including one or more directors and, where required by law or the company’s charter, a supervisory board.
Cooperative
A cooperative is established to promote the mutual economic interests of its members through joint economic activity. Members generally enjoy limited liability. Cooperatives are most commonly used in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and other collaborative ventures, where mutual benefit takes priority over maximising profits for investors.
Liability: the main difference between business forms
The principal distinction between the different business forms is the extent of the owners’ liability for the entity’s obligations.
Limited liability applies to:
- shareholders of an LLC;
- shareholders of a JSC;
- members of a cooperative; and
- limited partners in a limited partnership.
Their liability is generally limited to the amount of their agreed contribution or investment.
Unlimited liability applies to:
- partners in a general partnership; and
- general partners in a limited partnership.
These persons are jointly, severally and personally liable for the entity’s obligations with all of their assets.
For this reason, the Limited Liability Company (LLC) is by far the most common business structure for small and medium-sized enterprises in Georgia. It combines operational flexibility with protection of the owners’ personal assets.
The limited liability company (LLC)
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a separate legal entity. It owns its own assets, enters into contracts in its own name, and is solely responsible for its obligations.
An LLC may be established by one or more persons, whether individuals or legal entities. There is no maximum number of shareholders, and neither shareholders nor directors are required to be Georgian citizens or residents.
Ownership is divided into shares. A shareholder’s percentage interest generally determines their voting rights and, unless the company’s charter provides otherwise, their entitlement to dividends. The charter may provide for different rules on voting rights and profit distribution.
As a general rule, shareholders are not personally liable for the company’s obligations. However, where a shareholder abuses the corporate form—for example through fraud or other improper conduct—a court may pierce the corporate veiland hold that shareholder personally liable.
Share capital
Georgian law does not prescribe a minimum share capital for an LLC.
The share capital is divided into shares, with each shareholder holding a percentage interest that together totals 100%.
An LLC may also specify authorised capital, which sets the maximum amount of share capital that may be issued without amending the charter. This is optional and is rarely used in practice.
Management
An LLC has a simple and flexible management structure with two principal bodies:
- General Meeting of Shareholders – the company’s supreme governing body. It decides matters reserved by law or the charter, including amendments to the charter, the appointment and removal of directors, approval of the annual financial statements, and other major corporate decisions.
- Director(s) – responsible for the day-to-day management of the company. The director represents the company in dealings with third parties, enters into contracts on its behalf, and manages its business. An LLC may have one or more directors.
The charter
Every LLC must adopt a charter (also referred to as the company statute), which sets out the company’s constitutional rules.
The charter typically includes:
- the company name and registered office;
- the shareholders and their shareholdings;
- the management structure;
- the decision-making and voting procedures; and
- any other provisions governing the company’s internal organisation.
Registration
An LLC must be registered with the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR).
Registration is a single-step process. Once the company is registered, the NAPR automatically transmits the registration data to the Revenue Service, so no separate tax registration is required.
The company comes into legal existence upon registration, and the registration decision takes effect once it is published on the NAPR’s electronic register.
After registration, the company may apply for one of Georgia’s preferential tax statuses, where eligible. For more information, see Business Statuses in Georgia.
State registration fee
| Registration speed | State fee |
|---|---|
| Within one business day | GEL 200 |
| On the day of filing | GEL 400 |
Registration documents
To register an LLC, the founders must submit the instrument of incorporation (the charter or, where applicable, the partners’ agreement). The incorporation document must include, among other things:
- the company name;
- the registered office in Georgia;
- the identification details of each founder or shareholder;
- the person authorised to manage and represent the company; and
- details of the supervisory board, if one is established.
In practice, the application typically includes:
- identification documents of the founder or founders;
- the company charter;
- details of the director;
- the company’s registered office in Georgia; and
- where a foreign founder does not understand Georgian, the participation of an interpreter so that the registration documents can be executed in a language they understand.
Once the company is registered, its principal registration details become publicly available. Anyone may search the public register, obtain an official extract and access the registration documents published by the National Agency of Public Registry.
Foreign companies and redomiciliation
A foreign company may establish a branch in Georgia, which is registered with the National Agency of Public Registry.
The Law on Entrepreneurs also permits certain foreign companies to redomicile to Georgia, allowing the company to continue its legal existence under Georgian law rather than incorporating a new legal entity.
Once your company has been registered, see Running a Company in Georgia for the governance rules and ongoing compliance obligations that apply.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner own a company in Georgia?
Yes. Foreign natural persons and foreign-registered legal entities can be founders and partners of a Georgian company on the same terms as locals, and you do not need to be resident to own or manage one.
What business forms are available?
Business can be carried out as an individual entrepreneur or as a company. The company forms are the general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company (LLC), joint-stock company (JSC) and cooperative.
Is there a minimum capital requirement for an LLC?
No. The Law on Entrepreneurs does not set a minimum capital amount for a limited liability company. The capital is divided into shares expressed as percentages that add up to 100%.
How much does registration cost?
The state fee is GEL 200 for registration within one business day, or GEL 400 for registration on the day of filing. Registration is carried out by the National Agency of Public Registry.
Do I register for tax separately?
No. Registration of an entrepreneur entails both state registration and tax registration at once. The registration authority forwards the data to the Revenue Service automatically.
When does the company legally exist?
An entrepreneur is deemed established from the moment of its registration. The registration decision takes effect when it is published on the registration authority's central electronic platform.