Can you carry a knife in Georgia?
A 500 GEL fine and the exceptions in the law.
Short answer
Carrying a cold weapon in Georgia is banned and fined 500 GEL with confiscation, except a knife carried for eating, work, hunting, fishing or national dress. The exception does not apply if the knife disturbs public order or poses an obvious danger. People already penalised for carrying a cold weapon face liability under Article 238¹ of the Criminal Code.
Why
- The Law on Weapons (Article 12) bans individuals from manufacturing and carrying cold weapons.
- A 500 GEL fine with confiscation is set by Article 181 of the Administrative Offences Code.
- What counts as a cold weapon is decided by technical characteristics approved by the Government of Georgia (Article 3 of the Law on Weapons).
Details
Note 2 to Article 181 lists the purposes for which there is no fine: personal hygiene, preparing and eating food, professional work, hunting, fishing, gathering plant products, farming and animal husbandry, and carrying as part of national dress. Such dress is covered in What is Georgian national dress called.
Other bans and fines for visitors are collected in What is banned for tourists in Georgia and what they are fined for and How Georgians treat tourists and how to behave.
Tip
For a picnic or cooking, take an ordinary kitchen knife and carry it in a backpack or luggage rather than on your belt or in a pocket.
What may differ
Whether a particular knife counts as a cold weapon depends on technical characteristics approved by the government, so for a borderline knife it is best to ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The rules are updated: the Law on Weapons was last amended on 17 December 2025.
Common misconception
Since a dagger is part of Georgian national dress, a tourist can carry a knife too.
What actually happens
The law exempts only the listed purposes: food, hygiene, work, hunting, fishing, gathering plants, farming and national dress. A knife carried without such a purpose can bring a 500 GEL fine and confiscation.
People also ask
- Is it legal to carry a knife in Georgia?
Sources
Weapons rules are strict. If you are unsure about a specific knife, ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia before you travel.
Related questions
-
When and where can you set off fireworks in Georgia?
Fireworks in Georgia are sold and imported under permits, some categories are for certificate holders only, and breaking the rules in a public place is fined 2,500 GEL.
-
Can you cross the road in the wrong place in Georgia and what is the fine?
In Georgia you cross at a pedestrian crossing or junction, and a pedestrian who ignores signals, signs or markings faces a 50 GEL fine, or 100 GEL on highways.
-
Can you make a campfire and grill kebabs outdoors in Georgia?
In Georgian forests a campfire is allowed only in specially designated places, and the fine for breaking fire safety rules in a forest is 100 to 200 GEL.
-
Can you fly a drone in Georgia and is registration required?
Drones are allowed in Georgia under Civil Aviation Agency rules, and the operator of a drone of 250 grams or more must register for free on the unmanned aircraft platform.