Company Registration
3 Weeks
Local Director?
No
Bank Account Opening
4 Weeks
Travel Required?
No
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Table Of Contents
Georgia Investment Firm License in 2026
- In 2026, Tetra Consultants’ team of lawyers, licensing specialists, compliance experts, and accountants will help you get a Georgia Investment Firm License while ensuring full regulatory compliance. Our team will support you throughout the incorporation process of your Georgia company and will offer comprehensive guidance throughout the setup procedure. From preparing the required documents, that consists of business plans and AML/CFT policies, to communicating with the regulator and helping with operational setup, our expert team will ensure a seamless licensing process for businesses wanting to establish an investment firm in Georgia.
- Over the past few years, Georgia has emerged as one of the most attractive destinations for companies in the financial sector because of its investor-friendly policies, strategic location, and streamlined licensing processes. By getting an investment license in Georgia, companies can easily offer portfolio management, investment advisory, and securities-related services while operating within a regulated and internationally recognized financial environment.
Advantages of obtaining a Georgia Investment Firm License in 2026
- Applications are processed quickly, which allows companies to enter the market early. The application process is a streamlined and efficient regulatory process compared to many European jurisdictions.
- Georgia operates a competitive tax regime based on a distributed profit model, where corporate income tax is generally deferred until profits are distributed.
- Georgia allows 100% foreign ownership with access to the EU (through DCFTA), Turkey, China, and CIS markets.
- Firms providing advisory services may also need to ensure that individuals meet qualifications and registration requirements as prescribed by the regulator.
Activities allowed under the Georgia Investment Firm License in 2026
- Companies that hold a Georgia Investment Firm License can participate in multiple regulated investment services on the basis of their scope of approval. These activities consist of:
- Dealing in securities on behalf of clients
- Portfolio management services for individual and institutional investors
- Operating trading platforms or OTC trading desks on the basis of licensing terms
- Offering investment advice to clients regarding financial instruments
- Market-making services are subject to separate regulatory approval
- The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) is the primary regulatory authority for the Georgia Investment Firm License in 2026. It also oversees the licensing, compliance, and supervision of investment advisors, brokerage firms, and related financial activities. NBG mainly handles applications, reviews documents such as business plans, AML policies, and issues licenses.
- The NBG also enforces the Law on Securities Market and rules for brokerage/investment advisors, ensuring that the fiduciary duties and investment protection measures are in place.
Requirements for Georgia Investment Firm License in 2026
- Applicants should maintain a minimum capital of between €80,000 and €300,000, based in the type of services provided as well as the risk classification of the investment activities.
- Companies should maintain a fully furnished operational office in Georgia where the main business activities will be conducted. Registered or even virtual offices are not allowed.
- The firm is expected to demonstrate sufficient local substance, including qualified personnel responsible for compliance, operations, and risk management.
- While it is not compulsory in all cases, hiring a local director with financial or marketing experience is strongly recommended in order to support regulatory compliance and operational management.
- Applicants should prepare the main regulatory documents, which include a business plan, AML/CFT policies, internal compliance processes, and risk management frameworks.
Regulatory framework governing the Georgia Investment Firm License in 2026
- In 2026, NBG is focused on strengthening securities market activities by placing special emphasis on risk management, high-risk instruments, and fintech integration as of 2025-2026. The primary laws that govern Investment Firm License in Georgia are:
- Law of Georgia on the Securities Market- This law is the core legislation that governs brokerage, dealing, asset management, and investment funds. This law also controls licensing, supervision, and client protection.
- Law of Georgia on Collective Investment Undertakings– This law regulates investment funds, asset managers, and depositories with rules on fund registration and operations.
- Decree №167/04 (Sept 22, 2020, active)- This decree approves rules for licensing, registration, and regulation of Asset Management Companies.
- Decree №170/04 (Sept 22, 2020)- This decree governs authorization as well as regulation of Investment Funds.
- Decree №168/04 (Sept 22, 2020)- This decree sets rules for Specialized Depositories handling securities custody.
- Rule on Licensing and Regulation of Brokerage Companies- This rule has updated the framework for brokers/dealers, which includes minimum capital and fit-and-proper criteria.
Types of Georgia Investment Firm License in 2026
- Georgia provides multiple types of investment firm licenses that are regulated by the NBG, under the Law on the Securities Market. These licenses allow firms to operate legally in the area of securities trading, management, and related activities with specific requirements such as minimum capital and fit-and-proper checks for directors.
- Brokerage license- This license authorizes executing securities transactions such as shares and bonds on behalf of the clients, which includes consulting on investments. A brokerage license is for firms that act as intermediaries and do not use their own funds.
- Securities management license-This license enables professional management of a client’s securities portfolio, which includes pension assets as well as custody services. The main activities that businesses do with a securities management license are risk management, allocation, and maintenance.
- Fund management license– This license covers creating and managing investment funds in order to pool investor capital into diversified assets. This consists of administration, as well as oversight of the fund structures, such as open-ended or closed-ended funds.
- Dealer license- This license enables buying and selling of securities from the own account and risk of the firm, usually for resale to gain profit from price differences. Businesses with a dealer license require strong financial backing because of market exposure.
- Depository/registrar license- This license involves storage, registration of securities owners, and support services in the securities market. It is usually paired with other licenses for comprehensive business operations.
Timeline and cost to obtain the Georgia Investment Firm License in 2026
- The process to get a Georgia Investment Firm License is efficient when compared to other financial jurisdictions. Once Tetra Consultants receives all the required due diligence documents from the client, our incorporation specialists will register your Georgia company within 2 weeks. During this same period, our team of lawyers and licensing experts will begin preparing the licensing documentation, which includes the business plan, AML/CFT policies, and internal compliance manuals that are needed for an investment license in Georgia.
- At the same time, our team will help the client with the operational setup by sourcing a physical operational office in Georgia and supporting the recruitment of approximately three qualified local employees in order to fulfill the regulatory requirements. After the documentation, staffing, and office setup are completed, Tetra Consultants’ lawyers and licensing specialists will submit the application to the National Bank of Georgia.
- The authority may request interviews, along with additional documents. Our team will liaise with the regulator and manage all communications until the license is issued. The regulatory evaluation usually takes around 5 to 6 months after submission to get approval.
- Once the license is granted, Tetra Consultants will help with corporate bank account opening services, which usually takes 3 to 4 weeks on the basis of the bank’s compliance processes.
- The cost of getting a Georgia Investment Firm License differs on the basis of the scope of services provided, the capital requirements, and the operational structure of the company. At Tetra Consultants, we follow a transparent fee policy, ensuring that our clients clearly understand all the costs associated with getting an investment license in Georgia before the engagement begins. Our team will provide you with a detailed cost breakdown during the initial consultation, so you can plan your budget accordingly.
Step-by-step process to get Georgia Investment Firm License in 2026
Step 1- Initial consultation and regulatory evaluation
- The process starts with a detailed consultation with Tetra Consultants’ team of lawyers and licensing experts who will understand your proposed business activities, operational model, and target markets. During this stage, our team will determine the appropriate licensing category on the basis of the services that you intend to provide.
- We will also evaluate the most suitable business structure for your firm. In Georgia, there are only two structures available for investment firm licenses: Joint Stock Company and Limited Liability Company. The Limited Liability Company is the most common structure for investment firms.
Step 2- Company incorporation
- Once the regular structure is confirmed, Tetra Consultants incorporation specialists will proceed with registering your legal entity in Georgia. During this stage, our team will proceed with reserving your proposed company name with the relevant authorities, preparing and file incorporation documents with the Georgian company registry. Tetra Consultants will also draft corporate documents, including Articles of Association and shareholder agreements. Lastly, our team will register your company for relevant corporate identification and regulatory purposes.
Step 3- Prepare regulatory documents and recruitment of qualified personnel and operational setup
- In order to apply for an investment license in Georgia, the NBG requires extensive documents showcasing the operational readiness and compliance framework of the company. During this phase, Tetra Consultants’ legal team and licensing experts will prepare the necessary documentation, which includes a comprehensive business plan, AML/CFT policies, risk management and internal compliance processes, corporate governance framework, financial projections, and capital adequacy reports.
- As part of the licensing requirements, investment firms should showcase that they have a qualified team of professionals who are capable of managing financial operations. At this stage, our team will assist you with hiring 2-3 qualified professionals, mainly local hires with experience in the area of financial services or investment management. Tetra Consultants also provides nominee director and shareholder service and advises on the appointment of a local director with financial and marketing experience.
Step 4- Establishment of a physical office in Georgia
- The National Bank of Georgia requires all licensed investment firms to operate from a fully functional physical office within the country. During this phase, our team will help your company with securing a lease agreement for a physical office in Georgia and ensuring that the office setup fulfils the regulatory expectations for conducting business operations.
Step 5- Submit license application and regulatory review
- Once all the documents and operational requirements have been fulfilled, Tera Consultants’ lawyers and licensing specialists will submit the application to the National Bank of Georgia. After submission, the NBG will conduct a detailed evaluation of the license application. During this stage, the authority may ask for additional documents, modifications, or interviews with the company representatives as part of their due diligence review. Once the authority is satisfied, it will issue the Georgia Investment Firm License, enabling your business to legally offer regulated investment services.
Step 6- Corporate bank account opening
- After getting the license, Tetra Consultants will open a corporate bank account in reputable Georgian banks such as JSC Bank of Georgia, Terabank, Liberty Bank, and TBC Bank.
Step 7- Accounting and tax obligations
- After successfully opening the corporate bank account, Tetra Consultants’ accounting and tax team will ensure that your investment firms are fully compliant with Georgia’s financial reporting and taxation regulations. Our team will register your business for corporate tax with the relevant authorities, prepare financial statements, and regulatory reports.
Compliance and ongoing obligations for the Georgia Investment Firm License in 2026
- Firms will have to submit quarterly and annual audited financial statements as per the IFRS standards. The company will also have to submit capital adequacy calculations along with risk exposure reports to NBG.
- The company will have to maintain “fit and proper” administrators through annual declarations, implement robust corporate governance, AML/CFT programs, and risk frameworks for credit, market, operational, and cyber risks.
- The business will have to comply with disclosure rules, fair treatment standards, and complaints handling under the 2025-2027 strategy, emphasizing proactive risk identification. Any suspicious activities should be reported to the Financial Monitoring Service.
- Lastly, businesses will have to notify NBG regarding any changes in ownership or management within 7 days.
Conclusion
- Tetra Consultants works as your advisor and trusted partner in your business expansion and forex license/securities dealer license application. With our own team of lawyers, licensing specialists, compliance team, and accountants, we tell our clients what they need to know, instead of what they want to hear. Most importantly, we are known for being a one-stop solution for our valued clients.
- Contact us, and our team will get back to you in 24 hours.
FAQs
Can foreign investors apply for a Georgia Investment Firm License in 2026?
What is the minimum capital needed for a Georgia Investment Firm License?
What is a Joint Stock Company in Georgia in 2026?
What is a Limited Liability Company in Georgia in 2026?
Author
Sharma Prabakaran
Sharma Prabakaran is the Head of International Business Advisory at Tetra Consultants. With over 15 years of professional experience, he specialises in international business setup, accounting and tax advisory, and cross-industry SME engagements. His expertise encompasses end-to-end project management, ranging from company incorporation and corporate bank account establishment to ongoing annual accounting and tax compliance.