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Obtaining a License to Use Subsoil Space in Georgia

Irakli

RegHub Georgia Specialist

Obtaining a license to use subsoil space in Georgia is essential if you want to legally place and operate facilities beneath the ground. This document secures your rights to a specific subsoil plot, allowing you to move forward with infrastructure, engineering, or commercial projects without worrying about sudden bans or interruptions.

This is a separate form of using a public resource — and it has nothing to do with extracting minerals. Here, the focus is on using underground space itself: natural cavities, tunnels, storage facilities, communication lines, and other structures where the subsoil serves as a physical environment rather than a source of raw materials. It’s important to draw a clear line between this and mining activities. In one case, the object is the underground environment and how it can be used. In the other, it’s mineral resources and their extraction. That difference affects everything — from approval conditions to the structure of the license.

In most cases, obtaining a license to use underground space in Georgia happens through an electronic auction. Simply put, the right to use a specific plot goes to the bidder offering the best financial terms — as long as all technical and regulatory requirements are met.

What Counts as Using Subsoil Space in Georgia

Subsoil is not only a source of minerals — the state also treats it as a usable environment for placing structures. In this context, the underground part of the land becomes a physical space with specific geological characteristics.

Activities that require obtaining a subsoil space license in Georgia are those where no mineral extraction takes place, and the goal is to place or operate underground facilities.

These include:

• using natural underground cavities, including caves and other formations, for business or infrastructure purposes;

• construction of tunnels, underground passages, engineering systems, and transport facilities;

• placement of storage units, reservoirs, warehouse complexes, and other structures below ground level;

• operation of underground facilities used for technical, energy, or logistics purposes.

When projects like these are carried out in Georgia, a license granting the right to use a subsoil plot must be obtained. This is a separate public authorization specifically tied to underground space.

At the same time, a mining allotment is granted. This refers to a defined section of subsoil with fixed boundaries by coordinates and depth, within which the project can operate. It is not issued as a separate document — it is automatically included as part of the license.

Obtaining a License to Use Subsoil Space in Georgia: Legal Framework and Access Regulation

The legal pathway for obtaining the right to use subsoil space in Georgia is built on a mix of sector-specific rules and general permit regulations. It’s not just paperwork — it’s a structured system that defines how access to underground resources is granted and controlled.

At the core are two key laws:

• The Law on Subsoil — sets the legal status of subsoil as a state-owned resource, defines types of use, outlines how plots are allocated, and establishes rules for their operation;

• The Law on Licenses and Permits — defines the concept of authorization to use public resources, including the procedure for obtaining it, often through an electronic auction.

Together, these laws shape the foundation for obtaining a subsoil use license in Georgia, directly affecting whether a project can move forward and how stable it will be from a legal standpoint.

Several core principles stand behind this system:

• subsoil is recognized as exclusive state property, regardless of who owns the land above;

• owning a land plot does not automatically grant access to underground space and cannot replace official authorization;

• the right to use subsoil is granted on a paid basis, meaning required fees must be covered;

• in certain cases, subsoil space can be used without a license — if the object stays within private land boundaries and involves no mineral extraction;

• obtaining a subsoil space license in Georgia typically follows an auction model and comes with clearly defined conditions.

These rules form the legal ground on which every underground project is evaluated. Whether you’re planning storage, infrastructure, or engineering solutions, everything begins with understanding — and navigating — this framework.

Licensing the Use of Subsoil Plots in Georgia: Which Authorities Are Involved

The National Agency of Mineral Resources is a government agency in Georgia that falls under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection. When applying for a subsurface use license in the Peach State, this entity is pivotal. Its technology is used for electronic auction organization, initial data review, and application submission.

Its role covers several key functions:

• managing applications for subsoil usage rights;

• preparing materials for listing plots on an electronic auction;

• shaping the terms of the future license based on technical and geological specifics of the site;

• issuing the Georgian license for underground space use once the auction is completed and all payments are settled.

In essence, this agency is the gateway through which the state transfers the right to use its underground resources.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, in turn, acts as the main policy driver in the field of subsoil use.

Its responsibilities include:

• setting national policy on subsoil management;

• coordinating the work of subordinate bodies, including the mineral resources agency;

• taking part in regulating projects that raise environmental concerns.

Through the ministry’s system, the licensing procedure stays closely tied to environmental compliance — not just on paper, but in practice.

When it comes to obtaining a subsoil space license in Georgia, other government bodies may also step in, depending on the specific location or type of activity involved.

During the approval stage:

• project materials are forwarded to authorities responsible for the relevant territory;

• if required, an environmental decision is issued, often with strict conditions attached to the project;

• specialized agencies may introduce additional requirements that later become part of the license itself.

The process doesn't stop after the license is given. A state control mechanism steps in to make sure that all conditions are met, from following the laws about the borders of the assigned subsoil plot to following safety and environmental protection rules.

Obtaining a Permit for Developing Subsoil Plots in Georgia: Requirements for Applicants

Georgian law takes a fairly open approach — access to subsoil use is equal for individuals and companies, regardless of citizenship or place of registration. In other words, the system is built to welcome both local and international players, as long as they follow the rules.

You can obtain a subsoil use license in Georgia if you fall into one of these categories:

• citizens of Georgia;

• foreign individuals;

• Georgian-registered companies;

• foreign legal entities, provided they meet national regulatory requirements.

Registration with the tax authority is an essential requirement that non-residents must fulfill. Registering with the Georgia Revenue Service is what this entails. The application process for a Georgia license to use underground spaces cannot be initiated without this.

The admission criteria are less about formal status and more about how well the project is prepared — and whether the applicant is ready to play by the established rules of resource allocation.

To move forward, you’ll need to meet several key requirements:

• clearly define the licensing object, including the type of activity and the characteristics of the underground plot;

• provide precise coordinates of the site, aligned with the official geographic data system;

• if the project involves privately owned land, secure notarized consent from the landowner;

• be ready to participate in an electronic auction, which is the standard path for obtaining a subsoil space license in Georgia;

• demonstrate financial capacity to cover all required payments, including the security deposit and the final price formed during the bidding process.

At this stage, everything comes down to clarity and readiness — how well you shape your project, and how confidently you step into the procedure.

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How to Obtain a License for Using Subsoil Space in Georgia: A Step-by-Step Roadmap

The process of obtaining a subsoil use license in Georgia for underground space follows a clear sequence. It’s structured, a bit bureaucratic, but once you see the flow, it starts to feel manageable — almost like moving through checkpoints.

Here’s how it unfolds:

Validity Period of the Permit

A permit granting the right to use subsoil space in Georgia is always issued for a limited term. The law does not allow indefinite access. For projects where underground space is used to place and operate facilities without extracting minerals, the term can reach up to 45 years. This long horizon reflects the capital nature of such structures and the need for stable, long-term operation. Still, the exact duration is never universal — it is set individually, based on the specifics and scale of the project.

In order to renew a license and continue to utilize subsoil space in Georgia, a distinct approval procedure is necessary, frequently involving government-level review. The decision is contingent upon a variety of factors, including the extent to which the conditions of use have been adhered to, the actual utilization of the subsoil tract, and the existence of any violations during the operational period.

Managing Subsoil Licensing in Georgia

Handling the process of obtaining a subsoil use license in Georgia is more than just filing documents. It involves shaping the project structure, preparing the application, navigating the auction stage, and maintaining steady communication with state authorities. This kind of support is usually offered as a full-cycle service — guiding the project all the way from idea to final authorization.