Updated:
- Pay from an account in your own name to a party to the contract, not to an outsider. Banks may ask about the source of funds and suspend a doubtful payment, so prepare documents in advance.
- The Israel-Georgia tax treaty has been in force since 22.11.2011. Which returns you need in Israel, which taxes apply in Georgia and how they are credited is for an accountant to decide, not this guide.
- The NAPR fee for registering a right: ₾150 (4 working days), ₾270 (1 day) or ₾350 (same day). We do not name other sums, thresholds or fees because we could not confirm them on official pages: ask in writing.
The path in brief: four stops and a check at each
The money passes through your Israeli bank, one or more intermediary banks, the recipient's Georgian bank and finally registration at the National Agency of Public Registry (NAPR). Each stop checks something different: the Israeli bank the source of funds, the Georgian bank the identity of the recipient, the notary and registrar the parties to the deal.
This guide turns that path into a checklist: steps, what to attach and what to ask. Checking the property and the seller is covered in the guide on verifying a property, opening an account in the bank account and transfers guide, and the whole process in the buying process guide.
- 1
Preparation in Israel
Ask the bank for its document list, gather source-of-funds proof and talk to an accountant
before all - 2
Recipient account
An account in the contract party's name, or a notary deposit. NAPR escrow: Georgian citizens
not private - 3
Transfer details
SWIFT, IBAN, purpose of payment and a choice between OUR and SHA
in writing - 4
Test transfer
A small amount first. A bank may ask for documents and suspend a doubtful order
days - 5
Payment under contract
Deposit or advance, the balance when agreed, bank confirmation and a receipt
contract - 6
Registration at NAPR
Registering the right; fee ₾150, 270 or 350 depending on timing
150/270/350 - 7
Tax in Israel
Tell the accountant about the property abroad and ask which returns are needed
accountant
Bank of Israel anti-money-laundering order (translation), NAPR, Credo, Discount, Leumi; October 2026
This is a sequence of actions, not advice: confirm sums, thresholds and deadlines with the bank, a lawyer and an accountant.
Who sends and to which account
The practical rule: the buyer sends from an account in their own name, and the recipient is whoever the contract names as seller or developer. Under the Bank of Israel's anti-money-laundering order (English translation on gov.il), the bank identifies the customer, records the customer's and the recipient's details on a transfer abroad and keeps the records. A payment from another name or to another name raises questions, so it is best to avoid such a set-up.
We found no single official settlement procedure for foreigners in Georgia. The table shows the options, what is known about each and what to ask.
| Destination | What is known | What to ask / what to attach |
|---|---|---|
| A Georgian account in your name | Credo states it receives SWIFT in USD, EUR and GBP; account opening terms are in the bank account guide | Ask the Georgian bank which documents it needs to open an account and to receive a transfer; attach a passport and source-of-funds documents |
| The seller's or developer's account, directly by SWIFT | The Israeli bank records the recipient's details | Ask a lawyer and the seller whether an account in Georgia is needed; get the details in writing and match the account holder's name and the IBAN to the contract party |
| Deposit with a notary | Georgia's Law on Notaries lists receiving money on deposit among notarial actions | Ask the notary in writing: procedure, fee, timing and the conditions for releasing the money to the seller |
| NAPR escrow (smart contract) | By the NAPR site the service is meant for Georgian citizens and lari accounts | By the site it appears closed to a foreign non-citizen; confirm with NAPR |
| A third party's private account, or cash | No contractual trail, and banks will ask questions | Not recommended; see the risk table |
Currency, conversion, SWIFT and fees
Shekel, dollar, euro and lari: each conversion is a cost point. According to Discount Bank's page, an individual pays a transfer commission and an exchange commission or rate spread, with the amounts only in the bank's fee schedule. Ask your bank for its fee schedule in writing before the transfer. We found no confirmation that a Georgian bank accepts shekels: ask the recipient's bank in which currency it accepts a payment.
The official rate of the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) is calculated daily from interbank trades and published by 17:00; the page does not say banks apply it to customers. So ask the seller and a lawyer in which currency the price is set, at which rate and on which day it is converted, and write that into the contract.
| Topic | What is known | What to ask / do |
|---|---|---|
| Details required | The beneficiary bank's SWIFT, the beneficiary's name, address and account number (IBAN), and the purpose of the transfer (Discount); a Georgian IBAN starts with GE | Get the details in writing, ideally as a bank confirmation from the recipient |
| OUR | The fees of your bank, the correspondent banks and the beneficiary's bank are charged to the sender (Bank Leumi form 624-36) | The recipient should receive the full amount; ask the bank what it costs |
| SHA | Your bank's fees are charged to you; the correspondent banks and the beneficiary's bank are charged to the beneficiary (same form) | Less than the stated amount may arrive |
| BEN | All fees are charged to the beneficiary (same form) | Unsuitable when an exact amount is due |
| Fee for receiving in Georgia | We did not confirm the amounts on official pages | Ask the Georgian bank in writing for its tariff on incoming transfers |
| Timing | The time to credit in Georgia is not stated on the pages we found | Plan for days, and send a small test transfer first |
The bank in Israel: what it asks and what to attach
The Prohibition on Money Laundering order for banking corporations (English translation on gov.il) requires the bank to identify the customer, keep records and apply a know-your-customer procedure: the bank may clarify the source of funds, occupation, the purpose of the transaction and the planned transactions, and may report an unusual transaction that raises suspicion to the competent authority. That is the bank's duty, not a prohibition and not a sign of suspicion.
The translation on gov.il has no legal status, and the Hebrew text and the bank's practice may differ. The terms and the list of documents are set by your bank alone.
- Ask the bank in writing which documents it requires for a transfer to buy property abroad, whether to warn it in advance, what the fees are and which recipient details it needs.
- Attach source-of-funds documents: account statements, a property sale contract, income confirmations, proof of a gift or inheritance. These are examples, not an official list from your bank.
- If part of the money comes from a relative or a joint account, attach a document showing whose money it is.
- Attach the contract or preliminary contract and the recipient's details: the bank may ask what you are paying for.
- Reply to the bank's requests quickly and keep every transfer confirmation.
Tax and reporting in Israel: the treaty with Georgia and questions for an accountant
Which returns and reports an Israeli resident with property abroad needs depends on your situation and the rules in force, which we did not check on official pages. Tell your accountant about the property abroad and ask which returns are needed: in the year of purchase, in the years of letting and on sale.
The Israel-Georgia treaty on avoiding double taxation has been in force since 22.11.2011 (per Georgia's Ministry of Finance table). The table restates the treaty articles; applying them to your case is for the accountant.
| Article | What the treaty says | What to ask the accountant |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 2: taxes covered | In Georgia: profit tax and income tax; in Israel: income tax and capital gains tax | Which other taxes apply to owning an apartment |
| Art. 6: income from property | Income from immovable property in the other state may be taxed in that state, including from use or letting | How rent is taxed in Georgia and in Israel and what to attach: the lease and proof of payments |
| Art. 13: gain on sale | Gains from alienating immovable property in the other state may be taxed in that state | Which documents to keep for a sale: the purchase contract, payments, costs |
| Art. 22(2): tax credit | Israel allows a deduction of the tax paid in Georgia, up to the part of Israeli tax attributable to that income, subject to Israeli law | How to claim the credit and which proofs of Georgian tax paid are needed |
| Art. 29: from which period | Tax withheld at source applies to income from 1 January of the year after the treaty enters into force | From which year the treaty applies to your income |
In Georgia: bank, contract, notary, registration and payments
A Georgian bank may request more documents and suspend an operation. In Credo's general terms (in force from 1.7.2024) the bank may require additional information and documents from the client and suspend the operation until receiving them (clause 3.1.5), and may suspend a payment order that looks doubtful (clause 4.9). For other banks, read their agreements and the bank account guide.
Under Georgia's Law on Notaries a notary establishes the identity of the parties and their representatives and meets the duties of the anti-money-laundering law. Who will formalize your contract (a notary or the House of Justice) and what that requires, ask a lawyer.
- Order of payments (our recommendation, not a rule): check the extract and the seller's name, a written contract, the deposit or the sum under the contract, and only then the balance at signing or against registration. Ask a lawyer how a deposit differs from an advance and what happens to the money if the deal does not go ahead.
- Ask that the contract state the price and currency, the conversion rate, the recipient's bank and account number, the payment date and the refund procedure.
- Obtain a bank confirmation for every payment and a signed receipt.
| Item | What is known | What to ask / attach |
|---|---|---|
| Registering the right at NAPR | ₾150 for 4 working days, ₾270 for 1 working day, ₾350 on the day of filing (NAPR tariff, checked 30.10.2026) | Which timing to choose and who files the application |
| Confirming signatures on a transaction filed for registration | ₾7, immediate (NAPR tariff) | Whether it is needed in your case |
| Notary services | We do not quote a tariff: we did not confirm the current scale | Ask for a written quote before signing |
| Lawyer and bank services in Georgia | We do not quote tariffs | Ask for a written offer and a list of services |
Common risks and what to do
Cash is no substitute for a bank payment: it leaves no trail in the contract. For the rules on carrying and declaring cash across the border, ask a lawyer and see the official site of the Georgia Revenue Service.
| Risk | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Paying a private account of someone who is not a party to the contract | There is no contractual link between the payment and the property | Pay only the contract party; check the name and IBAN in writing; ask a lawyer who may receive the money |
| Paying before a written contract | No proof of the price and date | A signed contract before any payment beyond a small deposit (ask a lawyer what counts as small) |
| Sender's name differs from the buyer's | Banks ask questions and request an explanation | Transfer from an account in the buyer's name |
| An unchecked developer | The money goes to a party whose reliability you have not checked | Check the developer per the verification guide; ask a lawyer what guarantees a buyer has before construction ends |
| Delay or freeze at a bank | Banks may suspend a doubtful order (Credo, clause 4.9) | A test transfer, quick replies to the bank, source documents ready |
| Exchange-rate change between transfer and contract | A price in one currency and payment in another may not match | Fix the rate and the conversion date in the contract |
Checklist before the first shekel
| Step | What to do | What to attach / what to ask |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check the property and the seller or developer | Attach the NAPR extract, the seller's documents and the draft contract. Ask a lawyer whether all is in order (verification guide) |
| 2 | Agree the terms with a lawyer in Georgia | Ask: the price currency, the rate and conversion date, the payment method, who will formalize the contract, what the costs are |
| 3 | Find out your Israeli bank's requirements | Ask in writing: the list of documents, the fees, whether to warn it in advance |
| 4 | Gather source-of-funds documents | Attach statements, a property sale contract, income confirmations, proof of a gift or inheritance |
| 5 | Get the recipient's details in writing | Name, address, account number (IBAN), the bank's SWIFT and the payment purpose; match the account holder's name to the contract party |
| 6 | Choose OUR or SHA and send a test transfer | Ask the bank who pays which fees and how much will arrive |
| 7 | Pay under the contract | Keep the bank confirmation and the recipient's receipt |
| 8 | Register the right and tell your accountant | Attach the NAPR extract and payment proofs; ask the accountant which returns are needed |
What you must clarify before sending money
A short list of questions. Ask them in writing and keep the answers.
| Whom | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Your bank in Israel | Which documents it needs for a transfer to buy property abroad; what the fees are; whether to warn it in advance; what the timing is; how to act if it asks about the source of funds |
| The Georgian bank, a notary and the registry | Which documents are needed for an account and an incoming transfer; the tariff for incoming transfers; the procedure and cost at a notary; whether the NAPR escrow is open to a foreigner; how to confirm payment |
| An accountant in Israel | Which returns are needed in the year of purchase, on letting and on sale; how tax paid in Georgia is credited; which documents to keep |
| A lawyer in Georgia | Checking the property and the developer; the text of the contract; currency and rate; the order of payments, deposit and advance; guarantees at the construction stage; who formalizes the deal |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I send money from Israel to Georgia to buy an apartment?
By SWIFT transfer from an account in the buyer's name to the account of a party to the contract, with the IBAN and the purpose of payment. Ask your bank in advance which documents it needs, and prepare source-of-funds documents. Set payment terms in a written contract.
Do I need a bank account in Georgia to buy an apartment?
Ask a lawyer and the seller or developer: we found no single official rule for foreigners. Get the recipient's details in writing. Opening an account is covered in the bank account guide.
Does the Israeli bank report a transfer to Georgia?
The Bank of Israel's anti-money-laundering order requires the bank to identify the customer and keep records, and the bank may report an unusual transaction to the competent authority. Ask your bank which documents and details it will request.
Do I have to report an apartment in Georgia to the Israeli Tax Authority?
Tell your accountant about the property abroad and ask which returns and reports are needed in the year of purchase, on letting and on sale. Attach the contract, payment confirmations and the NAPR extract.
Which currency to pay in: shekel, dollar or lari?
We found no single official rule for a foreign buyer. Ask the seller and a lawyer in which currency the price is set, at which rate and on which day it is converted, and write that into the contract.
Who pays the intermediary bank's fees?
It depends on the option: with OUR the sender; with SHA your bank charges you and the intermediaries and the recipient's bank charge the recipient; with BEN the recipient bears all fees. If an exact amount is needed, ask your bank about OUR.
Sources: gov.il: Prohibition on Money Laundering order for banking corporations, Bank of Israel English translation (checked 30.10.2026) · Ministry of Finance of Georgia: tax convention with Israel, text in force from 22.11.2011 (checked 30.10.2026) · Ministry of Finance of Georgia: Israel treaty page (checked 30.10.2026) · NAPR: registration fees (checked 30.10.2026) · NAPR: smart contract and escrow, FAQ (checked 30.10.2026) · National Bank of Georgia: how the official rate is set (checked 30.10.2026) · Matsne: Law of Georgia on Notaries (checked 30.10.2026) · Credo Bank: receiving SWIFT (checked 30.10.2026) · Credo Bank: general terms, from 1.7.2024 (checked 30.10.2026) · Discount Bank: foreign currency transfers for individuals (checked 30.10.2026) · Bank Leumi: foreign currency transfer request form 624-36 (checked 30.10.2026)