Georgia has long been known as a business-friendly country with simple company formation procedures and liberal tax policies. But in 2025, things are changing — fast.
New anti-money laundering (AML) regulations are now in force, and they’re impacting how foreigners open companies, open bank accounts, and maintain legal compliance. If you’re a foreign investor, entrepreneur, or digital nomad looking to establish a company in Georgia, you need to be aware of these changes to avoid delays — or outright rejections.
What’s Changed in 2025?
Georgia has committed to aligning with FATF (Financial Action Task Force) and EU standards as part of its path toward deeper international cooperation. This has triggered tighter AML (Anti-Money Laundering) policies across the board.
Key changes include:
1. Enhanced Beneficial Ownership Checks
- Authorities and banks now require clear declarations of UBOs (Ultimate Beneficial Owners)
- Nominee directors or shareholders must be legally disclosed and documented
- Anonymous structures are under higher scrutiny
2. Stricter Document Requirements
- Passports must be valid, high-quality scans
- Proof of address must be recent and notarized
- Apostilles are required more frequently, even for corporate documents
3. Economic Substance Requirements
- Shell companies are no longer tolerated
- You may be asked to show a real business plan, client pipeline, or local employee hires
4. Banks Have Become Gatekeepers
- Georgian banks now conduct independent AML assessments
- Applications are often rejected if your business model is vague or lacks a clear source of funds
- Non-residents face longer waiting times and additional paperwork
5. Increased Reporting Obligations
- Legal entities must now file annual UBO declarations
- Non-compliance may result in company suspension or administrative fines
What This Means for Foreigners
- Setting up a company to gain residence
- Using nominee directors
- Running an online or crypto-related business
- Opening a multi-jurisdictional structure
- Relying on a POA to open a bank account
…you will face more detailed scrutiny in 2025 than in previous years.
What This Means for Foreigners
| Problem | Result |
|---|---|
| Vague company purpose | Bank rejects account opening |
| Nominee not disclosed | Registrar demands amendment or suspends company |
| No Georgian phone/address | Bank flags account as high risk |
| Crypto or Forex-related business | Immediate compliance hold |
| No tax filings after 1 year | Company gets suspended under passive entity laws |
How Legal Vista Helps You Stay Compliant
We’ve updated all our company formation procedures to meet 2025 standards. Our services include:
- AML-compliant company formation
- Full UBO & nominee documentation
- KYC-friendly business plan creation
- Pre-screening for bank approval
- Bank appointment coordination with bilingual legal representative
- Accounting & tax setup from Day 1
- Ongoing AML compliance advisory
Whether you need a simple LLC, a crypto-structured entity, or a fully documented multi-owner company, we ensure you’re set up right the first time — with no surprises.
Final Advice
Georgia is still one of the most attractive countries for company formation — but the era of anonymous, fast-track companies is over. Now, transparency, documentation, and local substance matter.
Contact Legal Vista
If you’re planning to start a company in Georgia or need help updating your existing one to meet 2025 compliance rules, contact our expert legal team.