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What do we call “offshore Georgia”?
Two special regimes are usually combined under the term offshore Georgia:
- Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) – companies inside FIZ (Poti, Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Hualing) pay 0 % CIT, 0 % VAT, 0 % import/export duty and 0 % dividend tax.
- Virtual Zone Company (VZC) for IT-business – 0 % CIT and 0 % VAT when working with foreign clients.
Both structures give “tax zero”, therefore the wording “offshore Georgia” often appears in search queries.
Georgia – a “white” offshore off the blacklist
Georgia is not included in the EU-blacklist of countries with unfair tax regime: in the update of the list for February 18, 2025, 11 jurisdictions are listed, but Georgia is not there. This is a key difference between “offshore Georgia” and BVI, Belize, Seychelles, which go through regular substance-requirement reviews.
In addition, Georgia has ≈ 60 double tax treaties (DTT), which simplifies cross-border payment of dividends and royalties.
Offshore Georgia vs BVI / Belize
| Criterion | Offshore Georgia (FIZ / VZC) | Classic offshore (BVI / Belize) |
|---|---|---|
| CIT | 0 % (FIZ, VZC) | 0 % |
| VAT / GST | 0 % (when exporting) | 0 % |
| Dividends | 0 % (FIZ/VZC) | 0 % |
| EU‑Blacklist | Absent | Often included |
| DTT | 60+ agreements | 0—12 |
| Economic Substance | No mandatory ESR (FIZ/VZC) | ESR is mandatory; annual reporting |
| Real office | Minimum: legal address in FIZ | Expenses required (employees, office) |
| Banking | Bank of Georgia, TBC, Wise, Payoneer | It’s hard to open an account remotely |
| Capital | 1 GEL symbolically | 50—1 000 USD |
| Cost of service | 1 200—2 500 USD/year | 2 500—4 000 USD/year + ESR report |
Conclusion: offshore Georgia gives the same tax advantages, but without the risks of blacklisting and expensive substance audit.
How to choose a form of “offshore Georgia”
| Purpose | Suitable mode | Why |
|---|---|---|
| E‑commerce / light‑manufacturing | FIZ (Poti, Tbilisi, Kutaisi) | zero duty + warehouses |
| IT / SaaS for abroad | Virtual Zone Company | 0 % CIT / VAT, fast registration |
| Investment SPV / holding company | FIZ (Tbilisi) | 0 % dividends + white DTT |
Step-by-step checklist for “Offshore Georgia”
- Choose the mode: FIZ (Poti / Tbilisi / Kutaisi / Hualing) or Virtual Zone.
- Reserve the name online (1 day).
- Prepare Articles of Association + passports; translation + apostille (0-2 days).
- Contract with FIZ administration or application to Revenue Service for VZC.
- Registration: 24 hours (VZC) / 3-5 days (FIZ).
- Open an account with Bank of Georgia / TBC or fintech offshore (Wise, Payoneer).
Compliance and risks
- No ESR – in “offshore Georgia” there is no requirement to hire employees or file a report on substance, unlike BVI, where the report is mandatory within 6 months after FYE.
- Transparency of tax rules – Georgia adopts BEPS recommendations, but retains the distributive CIT (tax only on dividends).
- Banking compliance – Georgian bank accounts are subject to KYC; origin of funds must be confirmed.
FAQ about “offshore Georgia”
- Is it possible to have clients inside Georgia?
- Virtual zone – no (then the benefits are lost). FIZ can sell to Georgia, but pays a one-time 4 % tax on the proceeds.
- How much does it cost for bookkeeping?
- From 1,000 USD/year (minimum reporting, only sales/purchase book).
- Do I need to file reports abroad?
- No, if your income is not from Georgia; foreign income is not taxable, only domestic reporting.
Summary
Offshore Georgia is a “white” alternative to the classic BVI/Belize: the same 0 % taxes, but without the EU list and expensive economic substance. FIZ and Virtual Zone allow you to keep your headquarters in Europe-Asia, withdraw dividends without quarantines and enjoy a network of 60+ DTTs.
Find out how much your business will 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-calc.
- Registration in 3-5 days.
- Account in Bank of Georgia / TBC Digital.