Should you pay by card in Georgia in lari or in your own currency?
Lari or card currency: what the terminal offers.
Short answer
Prices in Georgia are shown in lari, and if a terminal offers to charge the amount in your card currency, the choice is yours and the total can differ. This service is called dynamic currency conversion, and it includes an exchange rate and additional fees. The terminal should show the amounts in both currencies, the rate and the fees, and should not choose for you.
Why
- Under Article 34 (paragraph 2¹) of the National Bank law, an entrepreneur shows the price only in lari.
- Merchants and ATMs should let you accept or decline conversion and must not choose on your behalf.
- Declining the conversion does not affect your ability to pay or withdraw cash abroad.
Details
The National Bank law requires entrepreneurs to show prices in lari (Article 34, paragraph 2¹), so a bill in Georgia starts out in lari. Dynamic currency conversion means the terminal offers to recalculate the amount in your currency, and Visa warns that this includes an exchange rate and additional fees, so the total can differ from paying in the local currency.
The screen or receipt should show both amounts with currency symbols, the rate and the fees. If these are missing or you feel pressured, decline the conversion and report it to your card issuer. On currency in the country see What currency does Georgia use, and what money should you bring, and on the rate see How much is the lari in rubles today, and where can you check the rate.
Tip
Before confirming, compare the total in both currencies and check the rate and fees. If the terminal does not show them, choose to pay in lari.
What may differ
The conversion rate and fee for your card are set by the issuing bank, not by the Georgian shop. For choosing the currency at a terminal, rely on the card network rules and your bank's terms.
Common misconception
Paying in your own card currency is cheaper because you see the exact amount right away.
What actually happens
Dynamic currency conversion includes an exchange rate and additional fees, so the total can differ from paying in the local currency. Compare both amounts.
People also ask
- Which currency should I pay in by card in Georgia?
Sources
The conversion rate and fee are set by the bank that issued your card, check with your bank.
How to pay in Georgia: cards, cash and taxisRelated questions
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How do you receive a transfer from abroad to a Georgian account?
You can receive money from abroad by bank transfer to your IBAN, through a system such as Western Union, or via Visa+ by phone number to a TBC card.
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What is a Georgian IBAN and where do you find it?
A Georgian IBAN has 22 characters: the country code GE, two check digits, two letters of the bank code and 16 digits of the account identifier assigned by the bank.
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How can you top up a card or pay a bill at a terminal in Georgia?
Utilities, mobile, internet, television and state services in Georgia are paid at payment terminals: the TBC Pay network has more than 4,000 terminals and over 1,000 services.
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Where can you exchange damaged or old lari banknotes?
Worn and damaged lari banknotes and coins are replaced free at face value at the National Bank of Georgia and commercial banks if they still meet the fitness criteria.