Which Payment Cards Are the Most Popular in Georgia?

Statistics on the use of payment cards in Georgia show that Mastercard and VISA dominate local transactions, while AMEX and other cards hold a relatively small share. According to the National Bank of Georgia’s 2024 data, transactions conducted within the country using cards issued by resident entities amounted to 22.1 billion GEL for Mastercard, 19 billion GEL for VISA, 3.6 billion GEL for AMEX, and 105 million GEL for other cards. These figures reflect only transactions made within Georgia using cards issued by local banks, meaning that foreign bank cards and transactions conducted abroad are not included in this data.

The Georgian market aligns to some extent with global trends, but it also has its own specific characteristics. Globally, VISA is the most widely used card, followed by Mastercard, while AMEX holds a significantly smaller share. In the U.S. and Europe, VISA and Mastercard maintain nearly equal shares, with VISA having a slight edge. However, in certain countries like the U.S. and Canada, AMEX enjoys greater popularity compared to Georgia. This card is primarily targeted at high-income consumers since American Express is known for high transaction fees and premium services, making it less attractive for businesses to accept.

In Asian countries like China, international brands do not dominate at all, as UnionPay holds the overwhelming majority of the market. In Japan and South Korea, local card systems such as JCB and T-Money compete with VISA and Mastercard.

While Georgia’s banking system is integrated into the global financial network, consumer habits remain somewhat unique. Despite the dominance of VISA and Mastercard, Mastercard’s slight advantage may be attributed to banks and payment services frequently offering promotional benefits and discounts for its users. The low usage of AMEX in Georgia suggests that its services are less relevant in the local market, mainly due to high transaction fees and limited acceptance by businesses.

Looking ahead, VISA and Mastercard are expected to maintain their strong positions, though increased competition may introduce new players offering more flexible services and better terms for consumers.