Paying for property in Georgia from abroad
SWIFT, fees, payment references and what to report at home.
Proving source of funds. Who asks about the money, and what they want to see.
In short
When you buy an apartment in Georgia, your own bank, the Georgian bank and any notary involved will ask where the money comes from. The basis is Georgia's 2019 anti-money-laundering law and, at home, your own country's AML rules, in Germany the Money Laundering Act (GwG). Documents that show the origin often suffice: a sale contract, payslips, a grant of probate or a loan agreement. Have them ready before the first payment.
Documents by sourceThis page covers the checks. How the transfer itself works and what you have to report is on the payments page.
Paying for property from abroadWho checks
Who checks, and what follows.
The checks run independently. Clearance from your own bank does not stop the Georgian bank asking its own questions.
Your bank at home
Under the German Money Laundering Act, banks must monitor relationships and transactions on an ongoing basis and, where needed, against what they know about the source of the assets (section 10(1) no. 5 GwG). Austria applies the same EU rules, and the UK and Switzerland have their own AML laws. A large payment abroad that does not fit your account history often triggers questions.
The bank in Georgia
Under the Law on Facilitating the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing of 30 October 2019, Georgian commercial banks must identify customers and examine unusual activity. That applies to the developer's bank as much as to your own Georgian account. The National Bank of Georgia supervises them.
Notary, registry and FIU
MONEYVAL's 2020 evaluation lists Georgian notaries and the National Agency of Public Registry as obliged entities. Suspicious transaction reports go to the Financial Monitoring Service of Georgia.
Sanctions screening
Banks screen the payer, the payee and every bank in the chain against sanctions lists. Similar names produce hits that a member of staff clears by hand. That can hold up a payment for days even when nothing is wrong.
What a bank cannot tell you
If a German bank has filed a suspicious activity report, it may not tell you (section 47 GwG). If it cannot complete its due diligence, it may not carry out the transaction and must end an existing relationship (section 10(9) GwG). Complete paperwork is the quickest route.
Documents
Which papers fit which source of money.
Banks want to trace the money from its origin to your account. These documents are usually accepted, though any bank may ask for more.
Savings from income
Saved up over years.
- Documents
- Payslips, tax assessments
- Plus
- Statements showing the savings build up
- Note
- Be ready to explain large cash deposits
Sale or inheritance
Moved from other assets.
- Sale
- Sale contract and the credit of proceeds
- Inheritance
- Grant of probate or certificate of inheritance
- Investments
- Broker statement showing the sale
Loan
Paid with borrowed money.
- Documents
- Loan agreement and drawdown confirmation
- Plus
- Proof of the income that covers repayments
- Note
- The purpose stated in the loan agreement
Foreign documents often need a certified translation in Georgia, and some need an apostille. Ask the bank beforehand in what form it accepts them.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about source of funds.
Why banks ask, what is enough and what helps when a payment is held.
Why does my bank want to know where the money comes from?
Anti-money-laundering law requires banks to monitor relationships and transactions. For large or unusual payments they establish the source of funds. The question is routine, not an accusation.
Which documents prove the source of funds for a property purchase?
Documents that show where the money came from: payslips and tax assessments, a sale contract, a grant of probate or a loan agreement. Add bank statements showing how the money reached your account.
My bank has blocked my transfer. What can I do?
Ask your bank which information or documents are missing and send them in full. If the payment is held at an intermediary bank, your bank can chase it there. Tell the developer about the delay in writing so that no contractual deadline passes.
Does the Georgian bank check too?
Yes. Under the 2019 AML law, Georgian banks must check customers and transactions. Expect questions about your income, occupation and source of funds when you open an account.
Why keep the documents after the purchase?
They show later how you paid for the apartment. That helps with questions about the residence permit, on a sale when banks check the proceeds, and for tax when you need to prove the acquisition cost.
Last reviewed on November 2, 2026. Sources: Law of Georgia on Facilitating the Prevention of Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism of 30 October 2019, no. 5226 (matsne.gov.ge), Financial Monitoring Service of Georgia (fms.gov.ge); National Bank of Georgia: AML/CFT Supervision of commercial banks under the AML law (nbg.gov.ge), German Money Laundering Act (GwG), sections 10 and 47 (gesetze-im-internet.de), MONEYVAL (coe.int): Fifth Round Mutual Evaluation Report on Georgia, September 2020; 4th enhanced follow-up report, December 2025. This guide is not legal or tax advice.
Read next
More on payments and accounts.
The transfer itself, a bank account in Georgia and the residence permit through property.
Have the documents ready before the first payment.
Then reservation, deposit and instalments go through without waiting on queries.