A Georgian number is about more than staying in touch. Without one you cannot pass SMS verification at a bank, the government services portal is awkward to use, and dealing with a landlord, utility companies and couriers becomes a chore. The good news: a SIM card takes ten minutes, costs very little, and requires neither a residence permit nor a local address — just your passport.
- Three operators: Magti (best coverage, around 99% of the population), Silknet and Cellfie (usually cheaper).
- Only a passport is needed — no residence permit, no address.
- What it costs: tourist packages from 7 to 30 GEL, with 4 to 20 GB of data.
- eSIM works for the first days, but you will still need a Georgian number for the bank.
- Main use: bank SMS codes, government services, renting, utilities.
The three operators
Georgia's mobile market is split between three companies. The differences are not dramatic: coverage in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi is decent everywhere, and the gaps only show up in the mountains and on remote highways.
Magti
The largest operator with the widest coverage. The sensible choice if you travel to Kazbegi or Svaneti, drive mountain roads, or live outside the big cities.
Silknet
The second largest operator and one of the main home internet providers. Convenient if you want your flat's internet and your mobile line with the same company.
Cellfie
The budget option with inexpensive tourist offers. City coverage is fine, but in remote areas it trails Magti.
What it costs
Tourist packages are the easiest start: data, minutes and SMS are bundled for a fixed period, with nothing to configure.
| Package | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Cellfie tourist | from 7 GEL | about 7 GB for 7 days |
| Silknet Tourist Start | 15 GEL | about 4 GB for 15 days |
| Magti tourist | 15 GEL | up to 20 GB |
| Silknet Tourist Unlimited | 30 GEL | unlimited data for the package period |
Operators change tariffs often, so the figures above are an order of magnitude, not a price list. Current packages are always shown in the shop and in the operator's app.
If you are staying long term, a tourist package only makes sense for the first month. After that a regular monthly plan is better value: for 15–25 GEL a month you get more data and are not tied to a 7- or 15-day window.
Where and how to buy
- At the airport. Operator desks work in the arrivals area in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi. The most expensive option, but convenient if you need a number immediately.
- At an operator's shop. There are plenty downtown and in shopping centres. The best option: staff will set up the APN and activate the package for you.
- In a supermarket or kiosk. Starter packs are sold in the big chains, but you still need a passport to register the number.
The only document required is your foreign passport. The number is registered in your name at the point of sale — there are no anonymous SIM cards in Georgia. The whole procedure takes 5–10 minutes.
eSIM and roaming
If your phone supports eSIM, you can buy a tourist data profile before you fly — international services such as Airalo start at roughly $5.50 for Georgia. It is handy on day one: you have internet right at the airport, with no queue and no hunt for a shop.
One important limitation: a tourist eSIM normally gives you data but not a Georgian number capable of receiving SMS. For the bank, government services and verification codes you will still need an ordinary local SIM registered with your passport.
A sensible approach is an eSIM for the flight and the first day, then a local SIM from one of the three operators as soon as you reach a shop.
Why the number really matters
| Task | Role of the number |
|---|---|
| Bank account | Mandatory: SMS codes, app login, payment confirmations |
| Government services | Registration and notifications from the House of Justice, my.gov.ge |
| Renting a flat | Contacting the owner, calling a repairman, submitting meter readings |
| Utility payments | Linking accounts and receiving arrears notifications |
| Delivery and taxis | Couriers and drivers call a local number rather than messaging you |
The practical order when relocating is usually: SIM card → bank account → tenancy agreement → utility accounts. The number comes first for a reason: without it everything else stalls.
Worth knowing in advance
- Check that your phone is not carrier-locked to an operator back home — otherwise a local SIM will not work.
- Keep your number topped up. You can pay at Pay Box and TBC Pay terminals, in your banking app, or in the operator's shop.
- Do not throw away the starter receipt: it carries the number and registration details, useful if you ever need the SIM restored.
- Two numbers is normal. Many people keep their home number on an eSIM for messengers and use the Georgian one for banks and services.
With connectivity sorted, you can move on to housing: prices and supply structure by district are on the district pages, listings in the rental search, and the paperwork side in the article on the tenancy agreement.