How to transfer money to Georgia to buy an apartment: crypto, SWIFT and cash

Once you've chosen an apartment, the key question is how to get $50–200k to Georgia without losing it to fees, getting stuck in a bank review or breaking the law. Here are the three main options — bank transfer, cash and crypto — with their limits as of October 2026.

First: how developers get paid

Almost all developers take payment in US dollars or lari by bank transfer to their account at a Georgian bank, and the contract price is usually set in dollars. So every route ends the same way: the money must land in the developer's account in fiat, with a clear origin. With an instalment plan you'll be paying monthly or quarterly, not once, which matters when choosing a method.

Option 1. Bank transfer (SWIFT)

The most transparent route: money goes from the buyer's account to the developer's account or to your own Georgian account, with the contract number in the payment reference.

• From Kazakhstan, Europe, the UAE and most countries, a USD or EUR transfer takes 1–3 business days, typically at 0.1–1%.
• From Russia, direct SWIFT is available only through a limited set of non-sanctioned banks. Fees are noticeably higher, Georgian banks scrutinise these payments more closely, and some are delayed or returned. Check the Bank of Russia's current limits on outbound transfers with your bank before the deal.
• Via your own Georgian account. Non-residents can open accounts at TBC, Bank of Georgia, Liberty or Credo. This usually requires an in-person visit, a passport, 3–6 months of bank statements and proof of income. Banks can refuse without explanation, so start early.

Prepare: the contract or invoice, source-of-funds documents (statements, income certificate, sale agreement for other property) and a clear reference: "Payment under contract No. … for apartment No. … in …". A vague reference is a common trigger for manual review.

Option 2. Cash

You can pay cash by depositing it into your Georgian account or paying at a bank counter into the developer's account, but there are two constraints.

• Georgian border declaration. Amounts of GEL 30,000 (about $11,000) or more in cash, cheques or securities must be declared on entry and exit. There is no upper limit, but undeclared amounts above the threshold can be confiscated.
• Rules of the country you leave. Russia and other EAEU countries allow up to $10,000 equivalent without declaration, and Russia also has central bank restrictions on exporting foreign cash. Check current rules before travelling.

The bank will ask where a large deposit came from; the customs declaration is one of the documents that proves it, so keep it. Carrying $100k across a border is risky and impractical; for large purchases cash usually supplements a transfer.

Option 3. Cryptocurrency

Many developer brochures say "we accept Bitcoin and USDT". It's important to understand the law.

• Crypto is not legal tender in Georgia. The Law on the National Bank prohibits payments in virtual assets except for cases tied to services of registered providers (VASPs). Georgian companies and sole traders may not accept crypto as payment for goods and services.
• How it works in practice. The buyer sells crypto through a provider registered with the National Bank of Georgia, which sends dollars or lari to the developer. The contract price is in dollars. This is usually what "we accept crypto" means: a partner exchange.
• Check the provider. Since 2026, registered providers must display proof of registration on their website and app; the National Bank keeps the register. Never send crypto to individuals or "managers'" personal wallets.
• Source of funds. The provider and bank check where the crypto came from (AML). Keep your purchase history: exchange statements, wallet addresses.
• Costs. Conversion and transfer typically add up to a few percent, and the rate can move between steps.

Comparison

How not to lose money

• Pay only to the developer's account named in the contract, never to personal accounts or cards.
• Check that the seller in the Public Registry extract and the payee in the contract match.
• Don't pay large sums before signing. A reservation is a small payment credited to the price.
• Keep every payment confirmation: you'll need them for registration and a future sale.
• When buying a finished flat from a private seller, synchronise payment and registration: pay on the day documents are filed at the Public Service Hall, with a lawyer involved.

For the purchase process see how foreigners buy property in Georgia; for paying in parts see our guide to developer 0% instalments.

This article is for information only and is not legal or financial advice. Rules and figures can change; confirm current terms before any transaction.