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What is meant by the term “offshore Georgia”?
The term “offshore Georgia” usually refers to two specialized regimes:
- Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) – companies registered in the Poti FIZ (Poti FIZ, Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Hualing) are exempt from paying 0 % corporate tax (CIT), 0 % VAT (VAT), 0 % import and export duties, and 0 % dividend tax.
- Virtual Zone Company (VZC) for the IT sector – offers 0 % CIT and 0 % VAT when providing services to foreign clients.
Both structures offer the possibility to get “zero tax”, which makes the term “offshore Georgia” frequent in search queries.
Georgia is a “clean” offshore off the blacklists
Georgia is not included in the EU blacklist of countries with unreliable tax regime: in the update for February 18, 2025, 11 jurisdictions were included in the list, but Georgia is not on it. This is the main difference between “offshore Georgia” and such countries as BVI, Belize and Seychelles, which are regularly audited for compliance.
In addition, Georgia has about 60 double tax treaties (DTT), which simplifies transactions for dividends and royalties.
Comparison: Offshore Georgia and BVI/Belize
| Criterion | Offshore Georgia (FIZ / VZC) | Traditional offshore (BVI / Belize) |
|---|---|---|
| CIT | 0 % (FIZ, VZC) | 0 % |
| VAT / GST | 0 % (when exporting) | 0 % |
| Dividends | 0 % (FIZ/VZC) | 0 % |
| EU‑Blacklist | No | Often fall into it |
| DTT | 60+ agreements | 0—12 |
| Economic Substance | No mandatory ESR (FIZ/VZC) | ESR is mandatory with annual reporting |
| Real office | Minimum: legal address in FIZ | Expenses required (employees, office) |
| Banking | Bank of Georgia, TBC, Wise, Payoneer | Opening an account remotely is difficult |
| Capital | 1 GEL symbolically | 50—1 000 USD |
| Cost of service | 1 200—2 500 USD/year | 2 500—4 000 USD/год + ESR‐report |
Conclusion: Offshore Georgia offers the same tax advantages as traditional offshore companies, but without the risks of blacklisting and high substance‐audit costs.
How to choose the right form of “offshore Georgia”
| Purpose | Recommended mode | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| E‑commerce / light manufacturing | FIZ (Poti, Tbilisi, Kutaisi) | Zero duties + warehouses |
| IT / SaaS for international clients | Virtual zone company | 0 % CIT / VAT, fast registration |
| Investment SPV / holding company | FIZ (Tbilisi) | 0 % taxes on dividends + “white” DTT |
Step‐by‐step check‐list for opening “offshore Georgia”
- Choose the mode: FIZ (Poti / Tbilisi / Kutaisi / Hualing) or virtual zone.
- Reserve the name online (1 day).
- Prepare statutes and passports; translate and apostilize them (0–2 days).
- Sign an agreement with the FIZ administration or apply to the Tax Office for a VZC.
- Registration: 24 hours (VZC) / 3–5 days (FIZ).
- Open an account with Bank of Georgia / TBC or fintech company (Wise, Payoneer).
Compliance and risks
- No ESR – Offshore Georgia currently has no requirements to hire employees or file reports, while BVI requires mandatory reporting within 6 months after the end of the fiscal year.
- Transparent tax rules – Georgia adheres to BEPS recommendations while maintaining a distributive CIT (tax only on dividends).
- Banking Compliance – Georgian bank accounts are subject to KYC and it is necessary to confirm the origin of funds.
Frequently asked questions about “offshore Georgia”
- Is it possible to have clients in Georgia?
- For a virtual zone, no (otherwise the benefits are lost). FIZ can sell goods in Georgia, but pays a one‐time 4 % tax on the proceeds.
- How much does it cost for bookkeeping?
- From 1,000 USD per year (minimal reporting, only purchase/sale book).
- Do I need to file reports abroad?
- No, if the income is not from Georgia; foreign income is not taxable, only domestic reporting.
Conclusion
Offshore Georgia is a “clean” alternative to classical jurisdictions such as BVI and Belize: the same 0 % taxes, but without the risk of being blacklisted by the EU and the need for expensive economic taxation. FIZ and virtual zone modes allow you to locate your headquarters in Europe or Asia, withdraw dividends without delays and benefit from a network of more than 60 DTTs.
Find out how much you can save with Offshore Georgia
Leave a request – we will calculate your real tax savings and suggest the best form (FIZ or virtual zone).
- Free tax calculation.
- Registration in 3–5 days.
- Account opening in Bank of Georgia / TBC Digital.