Banks and cards
Where a foreigner actually gets an account, what documents they ask for, and why you should come with a local number.
checked in August 2026You need a Georgian bank account as soon as you stay longer than a couple of weeks: rent and utilities are paid from it, and taxi and delivery apps are linked to it. Foreigners can open one, but banks have tightened their checks in recent years — be ready to explain where your money comes from.
🏦 Where to go
Credo Bank
The friendliest to foreigners: a passport and a Georgian SIM are usually enough. A good fallback if the big banks turned you down.
The downside: transfers from other banks can arrive late. Money sent at the weekend sometimes lands only on the next working day.
The one I use myself
RAWLICK recommends
TBC Bank
A large bank with the best app. You must come in person; they ask for a passport and a Georgian SIM.
A TBC card works abroad and for online purchases in foreign services.
The one I use myself
Bank of Georgia
The second big bank, with the most branches and ATMs. Requirements are similar to TBC; a decision sometimes takes a few days, and they may say no.
📋 What to bring
- 1Your passport.
- 2A Georgian phone number registered to your passport (see “Phone and internet”).
- 3Proof of income: a six-month statement, a letter from your employer or a contract. Not every bank asks.
- 4Your address in Georgia — they ask for it on the form.
- 5Spare time: in high season there are queues.
Downtown branches open on weekdays roughly 10:00–18:00; mall branches stay open longer and on weekends. The TBC and BOG apps are in English and Russian, and transfers inside the country are instant and free.
📲 Apps: money and phone
Credo/ TBC / Bank of Georgia
Banking apps: transfers and utility payments by subscriber number.
Magti / Silknet / Cellfie
Your operator's app — for renewing the package and checking your remaining data.
💬 Telegram chats
Banks and finance 💳 Georgia
Which foreigners got an account and in which branch, what documents were asked for, how transfers and fees behave. The fastest way to learn where to go today — bank rules keep changing.