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Georgia registers seven main business forms: LLC (შპს), JSC (სს), Individual Entrepreneur (IE), Non-commercial Non-profit Legal Entity (NNLE), General Partnership (GP), Limited Partnership (LP), and foreign company branches. The LLC (შპს) dominates with over 332,000 registered entities and limited liability for founders.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-10
The Limited Liability Company (შეზღუდული პასუხისმგებლობის საზოგადოება, შპს, shpS) is the most common business form in Georgia, with 332,300 registered LLCs [GE360 registry data, 2026]. An LLC provides limited liability to its participants (shareholders) — meaning founders are not personally liable for the company's debts beyond their contribution to the share capital.
Key features of Georgian LLCs: no statutory minimum share capital under the Law on Entrepreneurs (see matsne.gov.ge); management by a director (მმართველი) appointed by participants; and flexibility in the charter to define governance rules. LLCs are the standard vehicle for small and medium businesses, startups, subsidiaries of foreign companies, and professional service firms.
Registration is through NAPR and takes one business day. The charter (deed of foundation) must be notarized. For foreign founders, additional apostilled documents are required. See how to check an LLC on the NAPR registry.
The Joint-Stock Company (სააქციო საზოგადოება, სს, sS) is a corporate form designed for larger businesses that may seek external equity investment or have a dispersed shareholder base. Georgia has 2,733 registered JSCs [GE360 registry data, 2026] — a small number reflecting that most businesses prefer the LLC for its simplicity.
Key differences between LLC and JSC in Georgia: (1) JSC shares are freely transferable without shareholder consent, while LLC participations often require other participants' approval; (2) JSCs are subject to greater corporate governance requirements, which depending on the company may include a supervisory board and external audit; (3) Banks, insurance companies, and publicly listed companies must be organized as JSCs; (4) JSC minimum capital is 100,000 GEL.
For most new businesses and foreign subsidiaries, the LLC is the appropriate form. The JSC is chosen when the business structure requires freely tradeable shares, when listing on a securities exchange is planned, or when regulatory requirements mandate the JSC form.
An Individual Entrepreneur (ინდივიდუალური მეწარმე, IE) is a natural person who conducts business under their own name without forming a separate legal entity. Georgia has 436,738 registered IEs [GE360 registry data, 2026] — the single largest category in the business registry.
The IE is the simplest and cheapest form to register and has no minimum capital requirement. However, the IE does not provide limited liability: the entrepreneur is personally liable for all business debts with their entire personal estate. IEs are widely used by sole traders, freelancers, micro-businesses, and individuals who need formal registration for invoicing or banking purposes.
Many businesses start as IEs and later convert to LLCs as they grow and the liability risk warrants protection. IE registration is through NAPR and can be completed in one day. The IE's 9-digit registration code is identical in format to a company code.
A Non-commercial Non-profit Legal Entity (არასამეწარმეო (არაკომერციული) იურიდიული პირი, NNLE) is the standard vehicle for civil society organizations, NGOs, professional associations, foundations, and charities in Georgia. There are 22,335 registered NNLEs [GE360 registry data, 2026].
NNLEs cannot distribute profits to their members or founders — all surplus must be reinvested in the entity's stated mission. They can, however, conduct commercial activities as long as the income is used to fund the non-commercial purpose. NNLEs are registered with NAPR and receive a 9-digit registration code. They are governed by the Civil Code of Georgia (see matsne.gov.ge).
Foreign-funded NNLEs operating in Georgia's public sphere may be subject to additional transparency requirements under recently enacted legislation. Legal advice specific to the current regulatory environment is recommended for foreign-funded civil society organizations.
Foreign companies can operate in Georgia through two main structures: a branch (ფილიალი), which is an extension of the foreign company with no separate legal personality (the parent is fully liable), or a subsidiary, which is a separate Georgian legal entity (usually an LLC) owned by the foreign company.
Branches must be registered with NAPR. The registration requires apostilled copies of the parent company's documents (certificate of incorporation, charter, and a resolution authorizing the branch). The branch receives its own 9-digit Georgian registration code and can conduct business in Georgia, enter contracts, and hold bank accounts.
Subsidiaries (LLCs with a foreign company as the sole founder) follow the same registration process as domestic LLCs but with apostilled foreign documents. Most foreign investors prefer the subsidiary structure for liability protection. See the Georgian company registry guide for details on the registration process, browse the full legal-form breakdown on the registry statistics page, or search any registered entity by name or code.
The LLC (შპს, shpS) is the most common form with 332,300 registered entities [GE360 registry data, 2026], followed by Individual Entrepreneurs (IE) with 436,738 registrations. Together they account for the vast majority of Georgian business registrations.
შპს stands for შეზღუდული პასუხისმგებლობის საზოგადოება (shezghduli pasukismgebloba sazogadoeba), meaning Limited Liability Company. It is the Georgian equivalent of an LLC, GmbH, SARL, or private limited company.
Company registration in Georgia is handled by NAPR (napr.gov.ge) or through licensed legal service providers. The process for an LLC typically takes one business day and requires a notarized charter (deed of foundation), founder identification documents, and the registration fee. Foreign founders need apostilled documents.
For an LLC (შპს), there is no statutory minimum capital — founders register with whatever capital they choose, often a small symbolic amount. For a JSC (სს), the Law on Entrepreneurs sets a minimum issued capital of 100,000 GEL. There is no minimum capital for individual entrepreneurs.
სსიპ stands for საჯარო სამართლის იურიდიული პირი (Legal Entity of Public Law, LEPL). These are government-owned or government-created entities with a specific public function — similar to quangos or public authorities. They appear in the Georgian registry alongside commercial entities.
Yes. Georgian law places no nationality restrictions on company founders or directors. Foreigners can hold 100% of an LLC or JSC and can serve as directors. However, certain licensed sectors (banking, certain media) have restrictions that must be verified separately.