Key Changes in Georgian Legislation: October–December 2025

02.02.2026

October

From 1 October 2025, Georgia is tightening the rules on the stay of foreign nationals.

Penalties for overstaying are significantly increased, and a ban on re-entry is also introduced:

• up to 6 months — fine of GEL 1,000, entry ban for up to 1 year;

• from 6 to 12 months — GEL 2,000, entry ban for up to 2 years;

• more than 1 year — GEL 3,000, entry ban for up to 3 years;

• repeat breach — entry ban for up to 3 years.

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November

New biometric requirements for documents

Passports, identity documents (ID cards) and residence permits will contain:

• a QR code;

• biometric data (the holder’s fingerprint).

Changes to excise duty on tobacco products

From 1 January 2026:

• imported cigarettes — GEL 2.75 per pack;

• locally produced cigarettes — preferential rate of GEL 1.3 for the first 35 million packs.

Georgia is tightening the rules on direct sales of state property

Privatisation (including direct sale or exchange) is possible only under pre-determined conditions, which must be approved by the Government of Georgia by way of a regulatory act (so-called preliminary conditions of privatisation).

This means that before the state can sell or exchange an asset, it must be officially established:

• under what conditions this is permissible;

• which procedure applies;

• what standards of quality, price and transparency are to be met.

Under the new regulation, the Government of Georgia, upon submission by the Ministry of Economy, is obliged, within 60 days after the law enters into force, to develop a regulatory act setting out the terms for disposal of state property, both by exchange and by direct sale.

The amendments also provide that the State Property Management Agency (subordinate to the Government):

• may carry out the exchange of state-owned immovable property for privately owned property, as well as for property of the National Bank of Georgia or the Georgian Orthodox Church — but only with the Government’s approval.

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December

Environmental regulation: ban on single-use plastic tableware (deferred entry into force)

A ban on the production, import and sale of single-use plastic tableware.

Enters into force on 1 January 2026.

This includes:

• plastic forks, knives, spoons and sticks;

• plates, lids, straws and stirrers;

• containers and cups made of expanded polystyrene (foam);

• the use of such tableware in cafés, restaurants and ready-meal delivery services.

Transitional periods

• up to 3 months — sale of tableware produced before 1 January 2026;

• up to 6 months — use of ready meals in plastic tableware;

• up to 12 months — other plastic items that come into contact with food.

 

Author: Dmitry Arkhipenko, Nino Zautashvili.