Georgia Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in georgia, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Business Customs

The development of personal rapport is an important part of business relationships in Georgia. Business meetings tend to be relatively relaxed affairs. Although tardiness does not necessarily reflect a lack of respect, foreign visitors should be punctual. Business lunches are less common than in the United States and Europe. Elaborate dinners known as “supras” are generally long affairs, at which numerous, informal, and impromptu toasts are often required of both the host and honored guests. Wine is an important part of Georgian culture and is a part of any dinner. Georgians take great pride in their reputation as gracious hosts.

Travel Advisory

Please visit the U.S. State Department consular information sheet on Georgia for the latest travel advisory.

Visa requirements

U.S. citizens visiting for 365 days or less do not need a visa, and this calendar could be reset by departing and re-entering Georgia. For further information on visas, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. Additionally, travelers may consult the Georgia country page on travel.state.gov for further information on entry, exit, and visa requirements.

If a traveler is planning on transiting through a Schengen country, the passport must have at least 3 months’ validity beyond the planned stay in the Schengen country. The U.S. government recommends having at least 6 month’s validity remaining on one’s passport before traveling.

U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should go to the State Department Visa Website for information on the application process.

Currency

The official currency is the Georgian lari (GEL). Credit cards are accepted at almost all hotels, restaurants, and stores in Tbilisi, but some small stores or establishments in rural areas still do not accept them. ATMs are available throughout Tbilisi and in other cities.

Telecommunications/Electronics

Cellular phones are ubiquitous in Georgia and relatively inexpensive, including data plans. Internet access is available at hotels, restaurants, and cafes, and in parks in Tbilisi and some other towns. Subscriber Internet service is available through several local providers and is also moderately priced by regional standards. Fixed broadband internet and mobile internet are growing steadily.

The standard voltage in Georgia is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Accordingly, a voltage convertor is required for electric appliances that are used in the United States (120 V). As for plug types, there are two associated plug types, types C and F used in Georgia.

Transportation

The condition of most main roads in the country is good or average but remains poor in rural areas. Within the capital there are many new and inexpensive buses, taxis, and “marshrutka” minibuses. There is also a functioning subway system in Tbilisi. A cab ride from the airport to the center of Tbilisi should cost approximately $20, but nighttime might be more expensive.

  • Tbilisi International Airport is Georgia’s principal international airport. It served 4.75 million passengers in 2024. The airport serves 45 airlines with direct flights to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

  • Kutaisi International Airport in western Georgia (approximately three hours’ drive from Tbilisi) offers budget flights to international destinations to locations in Europe and the Middle East.

  • Batumi Airport offers international connections via Air Astana (Almaty), Air Baltic (Riga), Arkia Israeli Airlines (Tel Aviv), Armenia Airways (Yerevan), Azerbaijan & Buta Airlines (Baku), Belavia (Minsk), El Al (Tel Aviv), Israel Air (Tel Aviv), Scat Air Company (Astana (Nursultan Nazarbayev)), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), Varesh (TACV Cabo Verde) Airlines (Tehran). Batumi Airport offers domestic flights via AK Air (Vanilla Sky) to Natakhtari Domestic and Geo Sky / Georgian Wings to Tbilisi International Airport.

  • Ambrolauri Airport in Racha and Telavi Airport in Kakheti are the initial stages of development and will serve domestic flights only, with further plans for diversification.

Georgia’s railroad system has improved substantially for passenger trains in recent years but remains relatively slow. The Tbilisi-Batumi passenger train has become a preferred mode of transportation for travelers to western Georgia, given the 4-hour travel time and comfortable wagons. Currently, about 90 percent of freight traffic travels on the main Trans‐Caucasus route from the Black Sea ports of Poti and Batumi through Tbilisi to Yerevan (Armenia) and Baku (Azerbaijan).

Language

The official language is Georgian, the most widely spoken language across the country. English and Russian are also used. Interpreters are widely available and are relatively inexpensive.

Health

Travelers are advised to purchase overseas medevac insurance and bring an adequate amount of medication for the duration of their stay. Some medication may not be registered in Georgia and thus will not be available even with a valid prescription.

Medical services in Georgia have improved in recent years. Private, well-equipped hospitals like American Hospital Tbilisi and MediClub in Tbilisi, and Medina in Batumi, are fully operational. These facilities have well-trained staff, practicing evidence-based medicine. Medical corporations EVEX and Geo-Hospitals have a network of hospitals and out-patient clinics in Tbilisi and other regions. Several facilities like New Hospital are inviting foreign specialists for consultation.

Tricare health insurance for active duty and retired U.S. military is accepted at some facilities. Cigna International is also accepted at some private clinics and hospitals. Travelers should check with their health insurance company to inquire about overseas coverage.

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries when traveling. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find in Georgia, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use. Travelers are advised to check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Traveler’s Health for the latest travel health notices and vaccine recommendations before traveling to Georgia. Travelers are encouraged to be up to date on all routine vaccinations before every trip.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of English‐speaking physicians.  Travelers may obtain further information on health matters from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s International Travelers’ Hotline at (404) 332‐4559.

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

Standard time zone for Georgia is: UTC/GMT + 3 hours during summertime and UTC/GMT + 4 during wintertime. Georgia does not observe daylight savings time. Although the business day runs from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the best contact time is 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Business leaders and senior government officials tend to start work around 10:00 a.m., work into the night, and often break for a late working dinner.

Georgia has 16 national holidays – 2026 Holiday Calendar:

  • January 1 New Year’s Day

  • January 2 New Year’s Day

  • January 7 Christmas (Orthodox Church)

  • January 19 Epiphany (Orthodox Church)

  • March 3 Mother’s Day

  • March 8 International Women’s Day

  • April 9 National Unity Day

  • April 10 Orthodox Good Friday

  • April 13 Easter Monday (Orthodox Church)

  • April 13 Orthodox Easter Monday (Recollection of Deceased)

  • May 9 Victory Day

  • May 12 St. Andrew’s Day

  • May 26 Independence Day

  • August 28 Assumption of the Virgin (Orthodox Church)

  • October 14 Svetiskovloba (Day of the Saint)

  • November 23 St. George’s Day

 

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Travelers to Georgia must fill out a customs declaration upon arrival and present it to customs officials upon departure. Travelers must declare on the customs form all items of value, including currency; failure to do so may result in fines or other penalties. If your customs form is lost or stolen, please report the loss to the police to obtain a certificate to show to customs officials upon departure.

Georgia’s customs authorities may enforce strict regulations on the temporary importation into or export from Georgia of items such as alcohol, tobacco, jewelry, religious materials, art or artifacts, antiquities, and business equipment. Only personal medications with a doctor’s prescription can be imported without the permission of the Georgian Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Affairs Department of Healthcare.

U.S. citizens may not import firearms into Georgia; however, hunting weapons may be brought into the country for a two-week period based on valid Georgian hunting licenses. While there is no limit to the amount of currency that can be imported, travelers bringing more than approximately $11,100 (30,000 GEL) in cash are required to make a declaration. If more money is exported than was declared at the time of entry, the traveler is obligated to prove it was legally obtained. There are limits on the amount of exported Georgian currency.

The Department of Expertise and Evaluation under the Ministry of Culture and Sports must license any valuables being taken out of Georgia such as artwork, antiques, jewelry, paintings, etc. This license describes the object, assesses its value, and provides permission to export it from Georgia. The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia can provide more specific information on quantities of items that can be imported duty free, as well as duties for specific items. It is also advisable to contact the Embassy of Georgia in Washington, D.C. for specific information regarding customs requirements.

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