How to Pay in Georgia

Georgia uses the Georgian lari, GEL, and it is the only legal tender for ordinary domestic payment.

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, attractions and other formal businesses in Tbilisi, Batumi and larger cities. A short-stay visitor does not need a Georgian bank app. Bank of Georgia and TBC mobile banking require a suitable local banking relationship, while Revolut or Wise is useful only if the traveler already has an eligible account and favorable terms. Bring a physical card with its PIN, plus a second card from another issuer kept separately.

Phone wallets can work but are not a complete substitute because an ATM, older terminal or verification step may need the physical card. Carry modest lari for markets, small vendors, marshrutkas, rural guesthouses and mountain areas. Obtain cash from a recognizable bank ATM or a registered exchange office. ATM operator fees and withdrawal terms change, so read the on-screen charge rather than following a fixed bank recommendation.

Bank of Georgia introduced or changed fees for some foreign-card withdrawals in 2026, which is another reason to compare the live screen. If an ATM or terminal offers conversion to the card's home currency, choose GEL and decline dynamic currency conversion unless the traveler has independently confirmed it is better. Keep the receipt from an exchange office. Georgia's official travel guidance notes a right to reverse eligible currency exchanges under GEL 5,000 within 30 minutes when the receipt and original currency are presented.

Never hand a card to an unofficial exchanger or approve an unexpected phone prompt.