Georgia — Securities & FX Brokerage License (NBG) 2026

Georgia as a Financial Services Jurisdiction

Georgia has rapidly positioned itself as one of the most competitive and accessible financial licensing jurisdictions in the Caucasus and wider Eastern European region. With a stable, pro-business government, transparent rule of law, low bureaucratic overhead, and a genuinely fast regulatory process — the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) processes complete brokerage license applications within 30 days — Georgia offers international brokers and investment firms a compelling combination of regulatory credibility and operational efficiency.

The country's favorable tax environment — with a flat 15% corporate income tax and no tax on retained earnings under the Estonian-model tax system — further enhances its attractiveness as a base for regional financial services operations. Georgia is also increasingly recognized as a gateway to CIS markets, with strong connectivity to clients and counterparties across Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Russia, and Central Asia.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

The regulation of brokerage companies in Georgia is governed by three primary legal instruments:

• •Securities Market Law — the primary statute governing capital markets activity in Georgia
• •On the Approval of the Additional Regulation Rule of Brokerage Companies Involved in Trading with High-Risk Financial Instruments — governing CFD, margin FX, and derivatives activity
• •On Approval of a Rule of Licensing and Regulating of a Brokerage Company — setting out licensing requirements, process, and ongoing obligations

The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) is the sole authority responsible for licensing, compliance supervision, and enforcement for all brokerage companies operating in or from Georgia.

License Types — Limited vs. Full

Capital Requirements

Capital must be fully paid and maintained at all times. Zitadelle AG assists with source of funds documentation and capital structuring as part of the application process.

Corporate and Staffing Requirements

• •The applicant must be incorporated in Georgia as an LLC (Limited Liability Company) or JSC (Joint Stock Company)
• •A physical office in Georgia is required — lease or property ownership documents must be provided
• •At least one resident director with a minimum of four years of financial sector experience
• •A comprehensive AML/CFT programme with written policies and risk-based procedures
• •Full beneficial ownership (UBO) disclosure for all shareholders
• •Trading platform provider details submitted to the NBG for approval (if applicable)

CFD, Margin Trading & Leverage Rules

Additional CFD rules:

• •Automatic position closure if equity falls below 50% of margin requirement (stop-out rule)
• •Negative balance protection is mandatory for all retail clients
• •Trading incentives (bonuses, promotions) for retail clients are prohibited
• •Strict disclosure obligations in all contracts and advertising materials

Fees and Ongoing Costs

Required Documentation

1. 1
   Extract from the Georgian Company Register confirming incorporation
2. 2
   Updated Articles of Association and constitutional corporate documents
3. 3
   Full ownership structure and beneficial ownership (UBO) details
4. 4
   Identification and background check documentation for all shareholders and management
5. 5
   List of intended brokerage activities (limited or full license scope)
6. 6
   Trading platform provider details and technical specifications (if applicable)
7. 7
   Financial statements — audited if older than 6 months
8. 8
   Proof of fully paid-in minimum capital
9. 9
   CVs, professional qualifications, and declarations for all directors and key executives
10. 10
    Detailed business plan and strategic model
11. 11
    Proof of Georgian office lease or property rights
12. 12
    Group structure information (if the applicant is part of a corporate group)
13. 13
    AML/CFT compliance programme and written policies
14. 14
    Licensing fee payment confirmation

All foreign-language documents must be translated into Georgian and notarized. Zitadelle AG coordinates all translation and notarization requirements as part of the engagement.

Application Timeline

The NBG's 30-day statutory processing window is one of the fastest in the industry. The overall timeline is primarily determined by how quickly documentation can be compiled and translated. Zitadelle AG streamlines this process through established procedures and local Georgian networks.

Georgia vs Comparable Jurisdictions

Georgia is particularly compelling for brokers targeting CIS markets, Eastern European clients, or firms seeking a regulated license with low capital requirements and fast approval.

Why Choose Georgia for Your Brokerage?

How Zitadelle AG Supports Your Georgian License Application

Zitadelle AG provides end-to-end licensing and compliance support for brokerage firms seeking authorization in Georgia — alongside our expertise in licensing across Cyprus (CySEC), BVI (SIBA), Australia (AFSL), Curaçao (CBCS), Mauritius (FSC), Labuan (LFSA), and Vanuatu (VFSC).

• •Advising on the optimal license type — limited vs. full — based on your intended business model and activities
• •Georgia company incorporation — LLC or JSC formation including Articles of Association drafting
• •Full licensing application preparation — all 14 required documents compiled, translated into Georgian, and notarized
• •Business plan drafting — tailored to NBG requirements and reflective of your actual trading model
• •AML/CFT compliance programme preparation — written policies, risk-based procedures, and client agreement templates
• •Director fit and proper assessments and recruitment of qualified resident directors via HRFinEase
• •NBG liaison and submission management — handling all regulatory correspondence and query responses throughout the process