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What currency does Georgia use, and what money should you bring?

Lari and tetri, which currency to bring, where to exchange it and paying by card.

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Short answer

Georgia's currency is the lari (GEL), divided into 100 tetri, and all payments inside the country are made in lari. US dollars or euros are the easiest to bring and exchange at city exchange offices; rubles can also be exchanged in Tbilisi and Batumi, usually at a worse rate. Visa and Mastercard cards from foreign banks are accepted almost everywhere, but Russian cards do not work.

Money and currency in Georgia faq-cover-money-and-banks.png

Why

  1. The lari is the only legal tender in Georgia, and prices are shown in lari.
  2. Dollars and euros can be exchanged in any town; buying and selling rates are posted at every exchange office.
  3. Russian-issued Visa, Mastercard and Mir cards do not work in Georgia because of sanctions.

Details

In cities you can pay by card almost everywhere; cash is needed at markets, on minibuses and in villages. Airport rates are usually worse than in town, so exchange only a small amount there for the journey. The National Bank of Georgia publishes the official rate every day, and exchange offices differ slightly from it.

Tip

Bring newer banknotes without tears or writing: worn dollars and euros are accepted reluctantly or at a worse rate.

What may differ

Tbilisi and Batumi have plenty of exchange offices; in small towns and villages it is harder, so get lari in advance.

Common misconception

You can pay in dollars in Georgia.

What actually happens

No, payments inside the country are made in lari. Dollars must first be exchanged at an exchange office or bank.

People also ask

  • What is the currency of Georgia?
  • What currency should I take to Georgia?
  • Can I use US dollars in Georgia?
  • Are cards widely accepted in Georgia?

Sources

The lari rate changes daily; check the National Bank website or the exchange office board for the current figure.

Money and currency in Georgia

  • What banks are there in Georgia, and which should a foreigner choose?

    Georgia's largest banks are TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia, with the most branches and ATMs, good English-language apps and often Russian-speaking support.

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  • Who is pictured on Georgian lari banknotes?

    Lari banknotes feature notable Georgians: scholar Ivane Javakhishvili on 5 lari, poet Akaki Tsereteli on 10, writer Ilia Chavchavadze on 20, Queen Tamar on 50, poet Shota Rustaveli on 100 and Kakutsa Cholokashvili, a hero of the 1920s independence struggle, on 200.

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  • How can a Russian citizen open a bank card in Georgia?

    A Russian citizen can open an account and card at a Georgian bank, but only in person at a branch: you need your international passport, a Georgian phone number and a questionnaire on the account's purpose and your income sources.

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  • How can you send money from Georgia to Russia?

    Money usually goes from Georgia to Russia by bank transfer from a Georgian account to an account at a Russian bank that is not under sanctions, or through money transfer services.

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