Cost to Start and Run a Company (LLC) in Georgia (the Country) in 2026

Opening a Limited Liability Company (LLC, known locally as a ) in Georgia, the country in the South Caucasus, gives foreign founders a fast, mostly digital route into a low-tax jurisdiction. The legal entity is created at the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR), usually through a Public Service Hall in Tbilisi, and most founders can complete the setup with a power of attorney instead of travelling. The headline registration fee is low, but the real budget is shaped by notary and translation work, your choice of legal form, and the ongoing accounting, VAT and payroll costs that follow. This guide breaks down every line item for 2026 so you can plan the true cost from day one. If you would rather have the numbers modelled for your specific case, you can request a cost quote at any point.

Quick cost overview for 2026

Here is the short answer before the detail. Starting an LLC in Georgia costs roughly GEL 100–200 in state registration fees, plus notary, translation and (usually) an apostille on your documents. Running it costs mainly accounting, and — once you cross the VAT threshold or hire staff — VAT and payroll compliance.

Cost item	Typical 2026 amount	Frequency
NAPR state registration (standard, 1 business day)	GEL 100	One-off
NAPR state registration (expedited, same day)	GEL 200	One-off
Notarisation of signatures (home country)	USD 50–150	One-off
Certified Georgian translation	~GEL 5–10 per page	One-off
Apostille / legalisation	USD 20–50	One-off
Legal address / virtual office	GEL 50–150	Monthly
Accounting / bookkeeping	GEL 100–800	Monthly

The figures below explain where each number comes from and how your tax choices change the total.

Initial registration costs at the Public Service Hall (NAPR)

The core step in creating your entity is registration with the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR), which incorporates the company and issues the extract from the register. Registration is normally filed at a Public Service Hall counter. The state fee is GEL 100 for standard processing, with the company registered within one business day. If you need the entity the same day, the expedited fee is GEL 200. These fees replace the incorrect “GEL 20–50” figure that circulates online; they are the current amounts published for company registration.

One point that often confuses foreign founders: NAPR (napr.gov.ge) registers the legal person, while rs.ge is the portal of the Revenue Service, where you handle tax matters such as your taxpayer identification number, tax-regime elections, VAT and monthly declarations. The state registration fee is paid in connection with the NAPR filing at the Public Service Hall — it is not a payment made through rs.ge.

Before you can file, you must handle document authentication. Founders outside Georgia usually have their signatures notarised in their home country, which can cost USD 50–150 depending on the jurisdiction. Documents then often need an apostille or consular legalisation, adding another USD 20–50 and some time. Finally, documents must be translated into Georgian by a certified translator; using a non-certified translator leads to rejection. Certified translation in Tbilisi typically runs GEL 5–10 per page for standard legal documents.

• NAPR state registration: GEL 100 standard (1 business day) or GEL 200 same-day, paid at the Public Service Hall.
• Notary fees in the founder’s home country: about USD 50–150 per signature, varying by local law.
• Certified Georgian translation: roughly GEL 5–10 per page for the charter and application forms.
• Apostille or legalisation: USD 20–50, depending on the country of origin.

Many founders use a done-for-you service to handle translation, notary coordination and the NAPR filing. This adds a service fee of roughly GEL 200–500 but reduces the risk of rejection over formatting or translation errors. If you go the do-it-yourself route, make sure your translated documents match the notarised originals exactly, because even small discrepancies can trigger a request for clarification and delay registration. For a full walkthrough of the procedure itself, see our step-by-step guide to registering a company in Georgia.

Legal form and tax regime: LLC vs Individual Entrepreneur

This is where the earlier version of this article was wrong, and where the biggest money decisions sit. The much-quoted “1% tax” is not how a Georgian LLC is taxed. The 1% regime and the LLC’s 15% regime belong to two different legal forms, so treat them as a choice of structure, not as two settings on the same company.

The LLC: 15% corporate income tax, Estonian model

A Georgian LLC is taxed under the Estonian model of corporate income tax. Corporate income tax is charged at 15%, but only on distributed profits — dividends and payments treated as distributions. Retained or reinvested profits are taxed at 0%. In other words, as long as profit stays inside the company and is put back to work, no corporate income tax falls due; tax is triggered when you take money out to shareholders. This makes the LLC efficient for businesses that reinvest, that have real operating expenses, or that plan to hire.

Worked example: suppose your LLC earns a GEL 20,000 profit for the year. If you keep all of it in the company to fund growth, the corporate income tax is GEL 0. If instead you distribute the full GEL 20,000 to yourself as a dividend, 15% applies to the distributed amount — a tax bill of GEL 3,000. Distribute half and keep half, and only the distributed GEL 10,000 is taxed, for GEL 1,500. The tax follows the distribution, not the profit itself.

The Individual Entrepreneur: 1% small business status

The 1% rate lives in a different structure: the Individual Entrepreneur (IE), a registered sole trader, not a company. An IE that obtains Small Business Status pays 1% on gross turnover up to GEL 500,000 per year (turnover above that threshold within the year is taxed at 3%, and sustained breaches cause the status to be revoked). Because it is levied on revenue with no deduction for expenses, it suits low-overhead freelancers and consultants — but it is unavailable to LLCs and is a poor fit for businesses with high costs or staff. If a one-person service business is all you need, the IE with 1% status is often cheaper than an LLC; if you need limited liability, partners, or reinvestment, the LLC is the right tool. Model both against your projected numbers with an accountant before you commit, and see our company registration guide for how the structures compare.

Ongoing compliance: accounting, VAT and payroll

Once registered, the recurring costs begin. Georgia requires companies to keep proper accounting records. For a simple LLC, monthly bookkeeping in Tbilisi typically runs GEL 100–300; for companies with more activity, VAT registration or payroll, fees commonly rise to GEL 400–800 per month. These services usually cover monthly declarations, annual financial statements and dealings with the Revenue Service. You can outsource this end to end through our accounting and tax compliance service.

Value Added Tax is the next threshold to watch. The standard VAT rate is 18%, and registration becomes mandatory once your taxable turnover exceeds GEL 100,000 over any 12 consecutive months. Voluntary registration below that level is possible and can help if your clients are themselves VAT-registered and can reclaim the tax. Importantly, VAT returns are filed monthly and are due by the 15th of the following month, with any net VAT payable by the same date — not quarterly. Missing the threshold check can lead to penalties and back-tax, so monitor turnover closely.

If you hire, payroll adds cost. Employers withhold 20% personal income tax from salaries. Under the pension scheme, the employee contributes 2% and the employer contributes 2% of gross salary (with a further state contribution), remitted monthly. Many accounting firms run payroll as an add-on for roughly GEL 50–100 per employee per month. Build these into your budget before your first hire.

Legal address and done-for-you service fees

Every LLC must have a registered legal address for official correspondence with NAPR and the Revenue Service. Without your own office, a virtual office or a co-working space with mail handling typically costs GEL 50–150 per month and provides a business address and mail forwarding. Using a residential address is allowed but can raise questions from banks during account opening, since some prefer a commercial address for corporate accounts.

Full-service agencies bundle registration, legal address, accounting and tax filing, generally for GEL 500–1,500 per month depending on scope. That is attractive for non-residents who need local support, but the market is unregulated, so check reviews and insist on transparent pricing. A good partner will also help with corporate bank account opening, which can be demanding for non-residents because of anti-money-laundering checks; some banks require an in-person visit by a director.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to register an LLC in Georgia in 2026?

The NAPR state fee is GEL 100 for standard registration (within one business day) or GEL 200 for same-day service, paid at the Public Service Hall. On top of that, budget for notarisation (USD 50–150), certified Georgian translation (GEL 5–10 per page) and, usually, an apostille (USD 20–50).

Does a Georgian LLC pay 1% tax?

No. An LLC is taxed under the Estonian-model corporate income tax: 15% on distributed profits and 0% on retained or reinvested profits. The 1% turnover tax belongs to a different structure — the Individual Entrepreneur with Small Business Status, capped at GEL 500,000 of annual turnover.

How long does registration take?

Standard NAPR registration is completed within one business day once documents are filed correctly; same-day (expedited) service is available for the higher fee. If you use an agency, allow a few extra days for document preparation and translation.

Can I open a corporate bank account remotely?

Most major banks, such as TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia, require at least one director to attend a branch in person. Some fintech options offer remote onboarding, but traditional banks generally expect a physical presence.

Is a resident director required?

No. Georgia does not require a resident director or shareholder for an LLC. Foreign individuals can own and manage the company from abroad, provided they meet all reporting and tax obligations.

Conclusion

Starting an LLC in Georgia in 2026 remains inexpensive to set up — a GEL 100 standard or GEL 200 same-day state fee at NAPR, plus notary and translation costs. The real budget is in the ongoing accounting, VAT once you pass GEL 100,000 turnover, and payroll if you hire. The decisive choice is structural: an LLC on the 15% Estonian-model CIT (0% while profits stay in the business) versus an Individual Entrepreneur on the 1% turnover regime. Pick the wrong one and you either overpay or lock yourself out of reinvestment efficiency. For a precise breakdown mapped to your revenue, expenses and plans, request a personalised cost quote and we will model both structures for you.

Primary sources: National Agency of Public Registry (napr.gov.ge) and Revenue Service of Georgia (rs.ge).

As of July 2026. This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Fees, thresholds and tax rules in Georgia can change; confirm current figures with NAPR and the Revenue Service, or with a licensed Georgian accountant or lawyer, before acting.