Ask a question
HUALING.FIZ.GE
Free industrial zones in Georgia: what are the advantages for business?
Free Industrial Zones of Georgia (FIZ Georgia, FIZ) are specially defined territories with “extra-territorial” status, where corporate tax, VAT, import duties and dividend tax are equal to 0 % under certain conditions. There are four main zones in the country: in Tbilisi, Kutaisi (including Hualing), Poti and Ananuri. A flexible regulatory policy makes Georgia an attractive “white offshore” alternative to such jurisdictions as the BVI and Belize.
Main tax advantages
| Tax | Tax rate outside FIZ | Tax rate in Georgia FIZ |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax (CIT) | 15 % (on distribution) | 0 % |
| Value added tax (VAT) | 18 % | 0 % (within the zone between residents) |
| Import duties | 0 / 5 / 12 % | 0 % |
| Tax on dividends | 5 % | 0 % |
| Property tax | до 1 % | 0 % |
⚠️ If goods produced in the zone are sold to “mainland” Georgia, a 4 % tax on the proceeds must be paid once.
For whom Georgia FIZ is suitable?
- Manufacturing and light manufacturing companies (electronics assembly, furniture, auto components).
- E-commerce and re-export (warehousing and sales to CIS and EU).
- Data centers and SaaS (preferential import of servers, zero CIT).
- Financial technology and cryptocurrency equipment (mining farms in regions with low electricity costs).
Steps to register a company in FIZ Georgia
- Choosing a zone: evaluate infrastructure and tariffs of administrations (rent and utility costs).
- Reservation of the name through the Public Registry Agency (online).
- Signing an agreement with FIZ administration – leasing land/warehouse for 5 to 49 years.
- Notarization of the founding documents (articles of association and shareholders' resolution).
- Registration in the FIZ register (usually takes 3-5 working days).
- Opening a bank account (with Bank of Georgia, TBC or Payoneer FIZ).
- Obtaining necessary licenses: alcohol, pharmaceuticals, electronics.
Registration period – from 5 working days if all documents are available.
Documents required
- Passports or IDs of founders and directors.
- Apostilized certificate of incorporation (for a foreign founder).
- Articles of Association (in English or Russian and Georgian languages).
- Lease/rental agreement of the plot in PPE Georgia.
- Confirmation by the bank of the contribution of the authorized capital (usually 1 GEL as a symbolic amount).
Comparison of Georgia FIZ and classic offshore
| Criterion | Georgia FIZ | BVI / Belize |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 0 % (in the zone) | 0 % |
| Reputational risk (EU/USA) | Low (on the EU white list) | Medium/High |
| Requirements for substance availability | Office/warehouse in FIZ, 1 director | Often a paper company |
| Double taxation treaties | 57 DTT | 0 DTT |
| Cost of service | from 2000 USD per year | 2500—4000 USD per year |
The benefits of using Georgia FIZ are particularly noticeable for companies that need a good compliance reputation when dealing with European banks and marketplaces.
Frequent questions
- How much does it cost to rent a warehouse in Tbilisi FIZ?
- From 3 USD per m² for a long‐term contract.
- Can I hire foreign employees?
- Yes, no quota restrictions; work visas can be issued in 10 days.
- Do I need an accountant?
- Yes, accounts are filed quarterly, but there are no taxes – you only need to keep records of invoices.
Conclusion
Georgia FIZ offers export‐oriented companies zero taxation and fast registration. With the right business organization, you can start saving on CIT and VAT already in the first year, staying within the “white” legal field of the EU and OECD.
Ready to register a company in Georgia FIZ?
Fill out the form below – our lawyers will quickly calculate your potential savings and reserve the name in the registry for free within 24 hours.