Banking & Money: how it works in Georgia — first-hand

From real experience

• If your Georgian SIM card (e.g., Geocell) is not working in Russia and is linked to your bank account, try enabling international roaming with your provider. Manual network selection might help if automatic connection fails. For future access, consider linking a Russian SIM card to your Georgian bank account or services.
• As of mid-June 2026, Russian-issued Visa and Mastercard cards are not operational in Georgia. This includes cards from major Russian banks. Travelers should rely on cash (Georgian Lari - GEL) or cards issued by banks outside of Russia. Exchanging Russian Rubles (RUB) to GEL is possible, but it's advisable to compare exchange rates at different exchange offices for the best deal. The exchange rate for buying GEL with RUB is generally favorable, but checking multiple locations is recommended.
• In TBC Bank (and likely other major banks in Georgia like Bank of Georgia), staff language capabilities (Russian, English, Georgian) vary by employee. It's common to find Russian-speaking consultants available, even if not at the first counter.
• If you have opened a Georgian business (e.g., sole proprietorship or LLC) and a bank account using your old passport, and have since obtained a new passport without the old one in hand, you will need to update your information with the Georgian tax authorities and relevant banks. Failure to do so can cause issues with banking and tax compliance.
• Russian rubles are exchangeable in Georgia, but rates in airports are significantly worse than in city centers (typically 30-40% difference). Carrying USD is slightly more convenient due to broader acceptance, but double conversion from RUB to USD to GEL often yields negligible savings for casual travelers. Russian bank cards (MIR, Visa, Mastercard) are not functional in Georgia.
• A service provider offers assistance with relocation to Georgia, including ИП registration, opening bank accounts, marriage registration, obtaining residency permits (VNZh), and registering прописка. The provider is identified as an expert from TravelAsk with over 3 years of experience.
• Russian bank cards (Mir, Sberbank, Alfa-Bank, etc.) are generally not accepted in Georgia. Some Belarusian cards (specifically BNB Bank) may function, but this depends on the specific bank and payment system. It is highly recommended to carry cash (USD/EUR/RUB to exchange for GEL) as the primary payment method.
• In Georgia, payments can be made using Russian bank cards. For example, Alfa-Bank (Visa) is accepted in shops, pharmacies, and cafes without issues. However, it is advisable to have Georgian Lari in cash as there might be limitations, particularly for taxi services.
• To close a bank account in Georgia (e.g., Credo Bank) without visiting the office, you must settle all pending transactions (wait ~30 days) and cancel all active cards in the mobile app. Be aware that maintaining an account often incurs monthly fees (e.g., for SMS or maintenance), which will lead to a negative balance if the account is not fully terminated.
• Customs declaration for cash is free in Georgia. However, when depositing large sums into a bank account, banks may request documentation regarding the origin of funds, which can take 1-2 days for verification. Banks may refuse transactions involving cryptocurrency due to concerns about its origin.
• Transferring Russian Rubles to Georgian Lari can be challenging. Limits may apply for conversions to USD via cryptocurrency (around $10,000). Banks may scrutinize the origin of funds for large deposits, even with documentation like property sale records. Depositing funds in smaller installments might be advisable. If using crypto, sharing the specific Russian crypto exchange used is requested.
• To open a TBC Bank card in Georgia: 1) Requirements: Passport, Georgian SIM card. 2) Processing time: Virtual card in 15-30 minutes, physical card in 1-2 days. 3) Cost: 10 GEL/month. 4) Top-up methods: Unired, Zolotaya Korona, TBC Pay terminals. Transfers from Tinkoff (Russia) in USD are possible, arriving from Uzbekistan. All TBC cards are named. They support Apple Pay/Google Pay.
• When paying for car rentals in Georgia, consider the exchange rates for different currencies. Paying directly in USD might be an option, but it's essential to compare the effective exchange rate against purchasing Russian Rubles (RUB), converting them to Georgian Lari (GEL), and then paying. Carrying RUB and exchanging them upon arrival in Georgia is generally recommended, as the exchange rates for USD obtained in Russia can be unfavorable. Always compare rates offered by different exchange offices.
• Required documents for opening a bank account in Georgia for Russian citizens: international passport (zagranpasport) and a Georgian phone number. Recommended banks: TBC Bank and Credo Bank.

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