A number of new regulations are coming into force in Georgia from September 1, 2026—tightening rules on payment services, increasing fines for credit organizations, and more. The publication Businesspressnews has compiled details on all key innovations.
Payment rules tightened for individuals over 60—transfers exceeding 500 GEL (approx. $190) for gambling, crypto assets, and trading to be considered suspicious
Under an April decision adopted by the National Bank of Georgia (NBG), payment requirements for citizens over the age of 60 will be tightened starting September 1, 2026.
As explained by the NBG (National Bank of Georgia), the aim of this measure is to protect this demographic from fraudulent schemes.
Under the new regulation, payment service providers are required to implement additional specialized safeguards for customers aged 60 and older. Specifically, the provider must temporarily hold the transaction or, where technically unfeasible, decline to execute the risky electronic payment operation initiated by the user.
A transaction is deemed risky under the following circumstances: the payment amount exceeds 500 GEL and the stated purpose is linked to high-risk fraud profile activities—including online Forex trading, investment platforms, gambling, or operations with virtual assets; or if atypical spending patterns and uncharacteristic behavior are identified for the customer.
Ministry of Internal Affairs to begin measuring vehicle noise levels on-site with portable devices
Starting September 1, 2026, authorized units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will inspect vehicle noise levels in real-world traffic conditions using portable sound level meters conforming to the international standard ISO 5130:2019.
It should be noted that vehicle operational noise levels in populated areas during nighttime hours—from 23:00 to 08:00—must not exceed 80 decibels.
Regarding penalties, operating a vehicle with a noise level exceeding the statutory threshold will, for a first offense, incur a fine of 100 GEL and a 10-point deduction from the driver’s license.
In the event of a repeated violation, the driver will face a fine of 200 GEL (approx. $75) with a 20-point deduction, while a third and each subsequent infraction entails a fine of 300 GEL and a 30-point deduction from the license point balance.
New requirements introduced for tea producers
Earlier this summer, the government approved the “Technical Regulation on Tea.”
The document establishes mandatory requirements for food business operators across the stages of tea production, processing, placing on the market, and distribution, alongside other regulatory standards.
While the new requirements for business operators enter into force on September 1, 2026, the document provides for a transition period.
Specifically, tea placed on the market and/or labeled prior to the resolution taking effect that does not comply with the new regulatory standards may be sold until the product’s expiration date, but no later than September 1, 2027.
According to the document, the rules apply to tea marketed for direct human consumption. Furthermore, the regulation defines general standards for both packaged and loose black and green tea.
Oversight of compliance with the established standards will be carried out by the National Food Agency. At the same time, supervision must also be ensured by the business operators themselves through internal production quality control systems.
NBG increases sanctions for credit institutions
Starting September 1, 2026, amendments to the “Rules for Determining, Imposing, and Enforcing Monetary Fines on Lending Entities” come into effect.
As a result, penalties for various regulatory infractions by lending institutions have been increased. Specifically, failure to submit financial reports to the National Bank within the specified deadlines or in the approved format, as well as submitting false information, will carry a fine of 1,000 GEL (approx. $380) per identified instance.
A fine of the same amount has been set for the late submission of documents or information requested by the National Bank, the provision of inaccurate data, and failure to comply with written instructions; however, for repeated violations, the fine will increase to 10,000 GEL.
Under the new rules, failure to maintain proper accounting records of assets and liabilities, as well as income and expenses, will subject the lender to a fine of 5,000 GEL per instance.
Additionally, fines for non-compliance with registration and regulatory requirements are set between 10,000 and 20,000 GEL, while breaches of other requirements will range from 2,000 to 5,000 GEL depending on the nature and recurrence of the offense.
Furthermore, the revisions will affect compliance requirements regarding anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT).
Specifically, if a credit organization lacks appropriate software capable of identifying suspicious transactions and automatically screening for sanctioned individuals, or if the system suffers from significant disruptions, the fine will amount to 15,000 GEL.
Moreover, for each detected instance of executing a transaction in violation or circumvention of sanctions regimes, a fine of 10,000 GEL will be imposed.
Traffic shifts to new circulation scheme due to Rustaveli Avenue rehabilitation
In connection with renovation work on Rustaveli Avenue, the capital’s City Hall has introduced a temporary traffic circulation scheme effective from September 1. Specifically, according to the City Hall, starting September 1:
- two-way traffic is introduced on Pavle Ingorokva Street;
- two-way traffic is also permitted on the section of 9 April Street—from the intersection with Ingorokva Street to the intersection with Zurab Zhvania Street;
- on a designated section of Zhvania Street (from the intersection with 9 April Street to the intersection with Zakaria Chichinadze Street), traffic will become two-way, while remaining one-way up to the intersection with Besiki Street;
- furthermore, the section of Besiki Street from the intersection with Zhvania Street to the intersection with Shevchenko Street will become one-way;
- one-way traffic is also being introduced on Shevchenko Street—in the direction from Besiki Street toward Chichinadze Street;
- one-way traffic is maintained on Lermontov Street, but the direction of travel is reversed: access to Shalva Dadiani Street will now be available from Kikodze and Machabeli streets via Lermontov Street;
- access to the First Classical Gymnasium of Tbilisi will be possible via two primary routes: from Freedom Square via Leonidze and Ingorokva streets, motorists will reach 9 April Street, turn left onto Zhvania Street, and continue toward Besiki and Shevchenko streets;
- motorists will also be able to exit from Chonkadze and Polikarpe Kakabadze streets onto Mtatsminda Street and proceed via Arsen Street to Besiki and Shevchenko streets;
- from Shevchenko Street, turning left allows drivers to return via Zhvania, 9 April, and Ingorokva streets, from where motorists can reach Lermontov and Dadiani streets via Leonidze and Kikodze streets,
- as well as Freedom Square; access to the upper streets of Mtatsminda will remain open from 9 April Street via Arsen Street.
National Bank tightens regulations for currency exchange bureaus
Following a decision by the National Bank of Georgia, additional requirements and oversight mechanisms regarding the operation of currency exchange bureaus will take effect on September 1, 2026.
Under the amendments, exchange bureaus authorized to conduct non-cash foreign exchange operations will only be permitted to obtain working capital directly from the verified owner or ultimate beneficial owner (with documented proof) or from financial institutions.
Furthermore, proof of ownership or lawful leasehold rights for the real estate property where the bureau operates has been added to the list of mandatory registration documents.
The decree also stipulates that the National Bank holds the right to deny branch opening permits if an exchange bureau has outstanding unpaid fines imposed by the NBG or fails to comply with statutory and regulatory requirements.
The updated rules also tighten operational accounting. Bureaus are obligated to log all transactions in specialized software in real time and issue a system-generated printed receipt bearing mandatory identification details for every cash deposit or withdrawal operation.
The reforms also encompass video surveillance systems. Under the new requirements, cameras must be installed both within the premises and along the bureau’s exterior perimeter, with continuous video recording. Footage from exterior cameras must be retained for at least 30 days, and from interior cameras for at least 180 days. Upon request, recordings must be made immediately available to the National Bank.
In addition, the list of grounds on which the regulator may revoke an exchange bureau’s registration has been expanded.
These include violations of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing legislation, as well as unfair business practices that could jeopardize the stability of the entity or the proper functioning of the broader financial sector.
In accordance with these new rules, exchange bureaus must submit monthly reporting through the National Bank’s NBFI remote supervision portal no later than 15 calendar days following the end of the reporting month.