Georgia Tightens Loan Rules: 25% Payment Cap Will Cover Incomes up to 2,500 GEL in 2027

The Financial Stability Committee of the National Bank of Georgia decided on 30 September 2026 to raise the income threshold for its strictest payment-to-income (PTI) limit. Borrowers below the threshold may spend no more than 25% of their monthly income on loan payments.

According to the National Bank of Georgia, the thresholds were based on 2017 data and last updated in 2022. Wages have grown since then, so the old figures no longer reflect how income and debt are spread among borrowers.

The limits today

The PTI rule caps the monthly loan payment as a share of the borrower's net income. These are the current limits published by the regulator:

What changes and when

The 25% cap will cover incomes up to 2,000 GEL a month from 1 February 2027 and up to 2,500 GEL from 1 September 2027. The regulator chose two steps so that the effect on borrowers is spread over time.

Take a borrower with a net income of 1,600 GEL. Today this person can spend up to 800 GEL a month on payments for a loan in lari. After 1 February 2027 the limit drops to 400 GEL, so a bank can approve a much smaller loan for the same term.

Who is affected

The change concerns lending to individuals, so it matters if you earn between 1,500 and 2,500 GEL a month and plan a consumer loan or a mortgage in Georgia.

Opening a personal bank account in Georgia and using cards are not affected: the rule only limits how much you can borrow. Until 1 February 2027 banks keep applying the current thresholds.

The decision has been adopted by the committee and takes effect in two stages in 2027. The next committee meeting is scheduled for 25 November 2026.