To transfer funds to Georgia for a property purchase, start by coordinating the amount, currency, and recipient details with both the sending and receiving banks. Next, prepare your purchase contract and proof of funds. Just because a card-to-card transfer option is available doesn’t mean it can handle your entire transaction.
When choosing new developments in Batumi, verify the payment settlement process before putting down a deposit: the payment deadline in your contract may turn out to be shorter than the bank’s compliance review. Below is a step-by-step guide to preparing your payment along with public service terms verified as of September 11, 2026. Be sure to double-check them again before sending any funds.
Regulations to Review Before Transferring Funds from Russia
A regulatory rule and the practical ability to execute a specific transaction are two very different things. In guidance from the Bank of Russia, updated on June 1, 2026, individuals who are residents or non-residents from friendly countries can transfer funds abroad to their own accounts or to another person without limits under the stated rule. Separate conditions apply to non-residents from unfriendly jurisdictions.
If the recipient is a property developer, don’t assume the rules for personal transfers automatically apply to a corporate entity. You must state the true purpose of the transaction to the bank: settlement under a real estate purchase agreement. The compliance check depends on the sender’s and recipient’s status, destination country, currency, intermediary banks involved, and any applicable restrictions.
Outdated lists of “banks that work” also need to be re-verified. For instance, Raiffeisenbank’s page for individual clients continues to state that outgoing cross-border transfers have been unavailable since September 2, 2024. Before purchasing foreign currency, confirm the exact terms for your specific transfer corridor directly with your bank, rather than relying on someone else’s successful payment from a year ago.
Matching the Payment Method to Your Transaction Amount
Start with the exact amount the seller must receive, then compare that figure against the transfer service’s capabilities. Retail transfer channels often vary by crediting currency, per-transaction limits, and eligible recipient types. The example from T-Bank’s guidelines for Georgia shows why these details cannot be overlooked.
| Method | Sample Public Terms | What to Check for Real Estate Purchases |
|---|---|---|
| Via IBAN in the T-Bank app | Debited in rubles, credited in lari; from 3,500 to 550,000 ₽ per transfer. Supported banks include: Bank of Georgia, TBC Bank, Credo Bank, Liberty Bank, and Basisbank. | Whether the limit is sufficient, the currency is acceptable, and your recipient type and payment purpose are permitted. |
| Card transfer via T-Bank | Up to 1,000,000 ₽ per transfer and up to 5,000,000 ₽ per month; crediting currency depends on the receiving bank and available settings. | Whether this channel suits the transaction amount and purpose, and what documents will verify the subsequent payment to the seller. |
| Wire transfer using full bank details | Feasibility, currency, fees, and intermediary banks are determined on a case-by-case basis. | Whether the receiving bank accepts payments from the specified sender under a real estate purchase agreement. |
Before sending a large payment, confirm with the recipient that the funds can be credited and prepare all requested documentation. Sending a successful test transfer helps verify account details, but it does not guarantee that the entire sum will clear compliance checks.
When using money transfer services, check the rules by originating country, payout method, and payment purpose. Being able to pick up cash or receive funds on a personal card is not the same as paying an invoice issued by a corporate entity. Do not split payments or use third-party senders to circumvent transfer limits or compliance screening.
Transferring to Your Own Account vs. Directly to the Seller
Sending funds to your own Georgian bank account lets you handle the cross-border transfer first, and then settle with the seller locally. To do this, your account must already be open, and the bank must be willing to accept incoming funds with your declared source of wealth and payment purpose. Factor in account maintenance fees, subsequent currency conversion, and domestic transfer charges. Simply having an open account does not mean a large upcoming transaction will be approved automatically.
Paying the seller directly eliminates the extra step of transferring between your own accounts, provided both the contract terms and the banks allow it. Request official bank details and payment confirmation procedures directly from the developer of your chosen development. The recipient must strictly match the contract; directing funds to a third-party account requires clear legal justification, not just verbal reassurances from an agent.
A wire transfer order may require the recipient’s legal name, registered address, IBAN, receiving bank, SWIFT/BIC code, and intermediary/correspondent bank details. Obtain intermediary bank instructions directly from the receiving bank for the chosen currency. While the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) specifies that Georgian IBANs are 22 characters long, having the right length does not prove the account belongs to the seller. If payment details change unexpectedly, re-verify them through a previously established, trusted communication channel.
Documentation Required by Banks
You need to explain both the origin of the funds and the purpose of the payment. Georgian AML legislation requires customer due diligence, verification of business relationship purposes, and, where applicable, proof of source of funds. The specific documentation required for any given transaction is set by the servicing bank in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
Gather your purchase contract (or a draft if pre-approval is required before signing), payment schedule, and an invoice from the seller if one has been issued. To prove your source of funds, you may need income certificates, tax returns, bank savings statements, or a sale agreement for previous property along with proof of receipt of proceeds. These are options tailored to different financial circumstances, not a rigid checklist required in full for every buyer.
Ensure that all documents align seamlessly: the sender’s name must match the account holder, the transaction amount must be clearly justified by your income or asset sales, and the payment reference must correspond to the contract. If the funds previously moved between multiple accounts of yours, keep account statements documenting the entire chain. Simply routing funds through your own overseas account does not substitute for proving the original source of the money.
Clarify in advance the accepted document languages, whether certified translations or notarizations are needed, and the preferred secure submission method. If you have changed your surname, have discrepancies in Latin transliteration of your name, or are acting through a power of attorney, prepare written explanations and supporting paperwork. Never alter bank statements manually or enter fictitious payment references in an attempt to speed up processing.
How to Calculate the True Cost of the Transfer
Compare total expenses based on the exact net amount the seller must receive. The sending fee is only part of the overall cost. Your calculation must include exchange rate markups, intermediary bank deductions, potential incoming transfer fees, and local transfer costs within Georgia. If rubles are converted to lari but the purchase agreement specifies settlement in another currency, find out the costs and rules governing that subsequent conversion.
Ask for a transparent breakdown: how much will be debited from your account, what amount will reach the recipient, and which deductions remain pending. For wire transfers, clarify how fees are allocated. The SHA instruction splits fees between parties, while OUR indicates the sender covers all charges; however, the availability and specific terms of these options must be confirmed with the sending bank for your particular transfer.
A “zero fee” marketing claim does not mean currency conversion is free. For example, Korona explicitly states in its help center that it applies its own exchange markup and that the card-issuing bank may levy an additional fee. Comparing transfer options solely by advertised commission rates masks the real spread between the amount debited and the funds credited.
In property purchases, any shortfall directly affects contract performance. If deductions cause the seller to receive less than the due amount, you will have to make up the difference. Agree beforehand on who covers transfer fees and what document serves as proof of payment in full. For installment plans, recalculate costs before each payment, as previous exchange rates and terms are not automatically locked in for the entire term.
Handling Delays and Returned Transfers
A “sent” status merely confirms that the transfer is being processed; it does not guarantee that the seller’s account has been credited. Retain your payment order, transaction reference number, and any official confirmation from the bank. For SWIFT payments, request a confirmation document or UETR tracking code so banks can trace the path of the funds.
If funds are delayed, contact the sending bank to check the current status, find out whether an intermediary or beneficiary bank has issued a request for information, and initiate a payment trace if needed. Submit any requested paperwork through official banking channels. Notify the seller of the delay and review the contractual payment deadlines; a bank compliance hold does not automatically pause your legal obligations.
If a transfer is returned, determine the exact reason, the net amount credited back, and any deducted fees. Before attempting to send funds again, rectify any errors in payment details or documentation discrepancies, and re-confirm transaction feasibility. If a bank declined the payment due to regulatory restrictions, never attempt to disguise the purpose or parties involved. Instead, consult your bank and your real estate attorney to discuss compliant payment alternatives and their implications for your purchase contract.
What to Coordinate Before Paying a Deposit
Prepare a payment summary sheet detailing the originating country and bank, account holder, source of funds, amount and currency, beneficiary details, and contractual grounds. Submit this summary to the involved banks via their official channels to verify their specific requirements. Obtain clear payment terms from the seller, including deadlines, fee allocation, and protocols in case of delays or returns. Once you have their responses, you can compare total costs and choose the payment method best suited for your purchase.
