# Georgian laws for foreigners: what is banned In Georgia a foreigner bears administrative liability on the same terms as a Georgian citizen. Here are the rules visitors break most often — and what follows for each. - Confidential - Georgian · English · Russian - Free first consultation - Courts of all instances Under Article 17 of the Code of Administrative Offences, a foreigner is liable on the same terms as a Georgian citizen unless the Code says otherwise. The only exception is people with diplomatic immunity. A fine may be small, but forgetting it is expensive: an unpaid fine is a ground for refusing entry to Georgia or a visa. ## The most common offences and fines What is bannedWhat followsDrinking alcohol in the street, a park, square, stadium or on public transport (except shops, cafés and bars)GEL 50–150; repeated within 1 year — GEL 500 or up to 15 days' detention (Article 171)Indecent behaviour in public — nudity, sexual behaviour, relieving yourself in the streetGEL 100–200 (Article 171)Smoking indoors where it is banned, in the entrance, stairs or lift of an apartment block, on public transportGEL 100; a second time within 1 year — GEL 200, then GEL 300 (Article 171¹)Swearing in the street, offensively pestering people (petty hooliganism)GEL 500–3,000 or up to 20 days' detention (Article 166)Disobeying a lawful police demand or insulting an officerGEL 2,000–5,000 or up to 60 days' detention (Article 173)Drink-driving — from 0.3 per milleLicence suspended for 6 months; over 0.7 per mille or refusing the test — 1 year (Article 116) ## Marijuana and medicines - Using marijuana in the street, a park, café or on transport — GEL 800 to 1,200; possessing a small amount — GEL 500 - More than a small amount, selling or giving it away even for free, bringing it into Georgia or growing it — is a crime - Some medicines, such as Lyrica (pregabalin) or tramadol, are controlled in Georgia — check the rules before you bring them ## Border, length of stay and documents - Entering Abkhazia or the Tskhinvali region other than from Zugdidi or Gori, for example from Russia, is a crime — a fine or 2 to 4 years in prison (Article 322¹ of the Criminal Code) - Overstaying — GEL 1,000 to 3,000 and an entry ban of 6 months to 3 years (Article 191) - Cash over GEL 30,000 must be declared at the border — otherwise a fine or confiscation - Since 2026 tourists need health insurance with at least GEL 30,000 cover - Foreigners may take part in casinos and gambling from age 18 ## What to do if you are fined A fine must be paid within 30 days of receipt; after that a surcharge is added. If you disagree, you have 10 days to appeal. If you are detained administratively, you must be brought before a court within 24 hours — at that point you already need a lawyer. ## Our services - Appealing a fine or an administrative record within 10 days - Defence in court in an administrative detention case - Defence in a criminal case — drugs, the occupied territories - Appealing an overstay fine and an entry ban - Checking for unpaid fines before you travel to Georgia ## Questions & answers ### Can you drink alcohol in the street in Georgia? No. Drinking in the street, a park, square, stadium or on transport carries a fine of GEL 50 to 150. You can drink in shops, cafés and bars. ### Do foreigners get the same fines as Georgian citizens? Yes. By law a foreigner is liable on the same terms as a citizen. The exception is diplomatic immunity. ### Is marijuana legal in Georgia? Use in a private home isn't punished unless a minor is present — then the fine is GEL 1,000 to 1,500, even at home (Article 45¹). Use in any other building is a GEL 500 to 1,000 fine, in the street, a café or on transport GEL 800 to 1,200, and possessing a small amount GEL 500. Selling and bringing it in are crimes. ### What if I didn't pay a fine and left? Next time you may be refused entry or a visa. The fine and surcharge must be paid when you cross the border. ## Legal basis - [Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/28216) - [Criminal Code of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/16426) - [Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/2278806) - [Customs Code of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/4598501) Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge. Important: the information on this page is general and based on the law in force on the date it was published. Laws change and every case is different, so this information doesn't replace advice from a lawyer. Before you act on it, contact us. MMLAW is not responsible for decisions made solely on the basis of this information. Related practice area: [Administrative law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/administrative-law-lawyer/) ## Related topics - [#For foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/) - [#Public authorities](https://mmlaw.ge/en/administrative-law-lawyer/) - [#Your rights](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/what-to-do-if-detained/) - - [How to check and pay a traffic fine in Georgia](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/check-and-pay-fines-in-georgia/) - - [Residence permits · For foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/residence-permit-in-georgia/) - - [Criminal cases · For foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/criminal-defense-for-foreigners/) - - [Residence permits in Georgia: which type do you need?](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/residence-permit-types-georgia/) - - [Refused entry to Georgia: reasons and what to do](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/refused-entry-to-georgia/) - - [Overstaying in Georgia: fines and entry bans](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/overstay-in-georgia-fines/) - - [Foreigner arrested in Georgia: rights and first steps](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/foreigner-arrested-in-georgia/) - - [Deportation from Georgia: grounds, deadlines and appeal](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/deportation-from-georgia/) For foreigners ## How we can help - [Criminal cases](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/criminal-defense-for-foreigners/) — Defense if you are detained or charged — with an interpreter and contact with your consulate. - [Immigration cases](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/immigration-lawyer-georgia/) — Refused entry? We find out why for 1 300 ₾. Also overstays, deportation and residence-permit appeals — fast and in your language. - [Buying property](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/buying-property-in-georgia/) — Check the property, sign a safe contract and register ownership — in person or remotely. - [Disputes with developers](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/disputes-with-developers/) — Construction is late, the developer won't refund, or the flat is mortgaged — we protect the buyer's interests. - [Company & business](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/company-registration-in-georgia/) — LLC registration in Georgia for foreigners from 1 800 ₾, a virtual business address and bank account opening — in person or remotely. - [Work permit & sole trader](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/work-permit-and-sole-trader/) — The right to work, registering as an individual entrepreneur, the 1% small business tax and the right residence permit. - [Residence permits](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/residence-permit-in-georgia/) — Work, business, property, family and investment residence permits — applications, extensions and appeals. - [Family cases](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/family-law-for-foreigners/) — International divorce, children and alimony, recognition of foreign decisions. - [IT companies and IT specialists](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/it-companies-in-georgia/) — Three tax regimes for IT in Georgia: 1% sole trader, virtual zone and 5% international company — conditions and the 2026 change. - [Gambling licence](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/gambling-licence-georgia/) — Casino, slots, betting and online permits in Georgia: who can get one, the conditions and what operators may not do. - [Georgian citizenship for foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/georgian-citizenship-for-foreigners/) — The ordinary route (10 years), through marriage (5 years), the exceptional route and the rule for those born in Georgia — until 2027. - [Marriage in Georgia for foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/marriage-in-georgia-for-foreigners/) — How foreigners marry in Georgia: conditions, documents, apostille, translation, witnesses and using the marriage certificate abroad. - [Driving licence for foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/driving-licence-georgia-foreigners/) — A foreign licence is valid for 1 year: exchange without exams, the 185-day rule for a Georgian licence, fines for driving without one. - [Bank account for non-residents](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/bank-account-in-georgia-for-foreigners/) — How a foreigner opens a personal or business account at a Georgian bank, what the bank asks for, why it refuses and how to prepare. - [Tax residency in Georgia](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/tax-residency-georgia/) — When you become a Georgian tax resident, the residence certificate, HNWI status and the exemption for foreign income. - [Double tax treaties](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/double-tax-treaties-georgia/) — Georgia's 58 double tax treaties: how they work, dual residency and the rates with the UK, Germany and the US. - [Crypto: tax and VASP registration](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/crypto-in-georgia/) — An individual's crypto income is tax-exempt; a crypto business needs National Bank VASP registration and capital. - [Checking a Georgian company](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/checking-a-georgian-company/) — Before you pay or sign with a Georgian company: business registry, pledges, debtors register, court cases and tax debt. - [Land for foreigners](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/can-foreigners-buy-land-in-georgia/) — Foreigners can buy non-agricultural land; agricultural land only through inheritance or an investment plan. - [Working remotely from Georgia](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/working-remotely-from-georgia/) — Digital nomads and remote employees in Georgia: visa-free stay, the work permit question, the 20% tax trap and the 1% sole trader. - [A child of foreign parents born in Georgia](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/baby-born-in-georgia/) — A child of foreign parents born in Georgia: birth certificate, apostille, citizenship, residence and leaving Georgia with the child. - [Car with foreign plates and customs clearance](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/foreign-car-in-georgia/) — Driving a foreign-registered car in Georgia: the 90-day limit, border insurance, fines, selling the car and import excise from 2026. - [How long you can stay](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/how-long-can-you-stay-in-georgia/) — 1 year visa-free for listed countries, 90 days in 180 or a visa for others: counting days, visa runs, residence, overstay fines. - [Hiring foreign workers (D1)](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/georgia-work-visa-d1-hiring-foreign-workers/) — How to hire a worker from India, Nepal, the Philippines, Pakistan and other visa countries: right to work, D1 visa, timing and fines. - [What you can bring into Georgia](https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/what-can-you-bring-into-georgia/) — Georgia's duty-free allowances: GEL 3,000 by air, GEL 500 otherwise, alcohol, cigarettes, cash up to GEL 30,000 and moving to Georgia. --- Source: https://mmlaw.ge/en/foreigners/georgian-laws-for-foreigners/ · MMLAW · +995 551 00 43 00 · info@mmlaw.ge