Uzbekistan Introduces Key Legislative Changes from 1 April

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Norma.uz portal has provided an overview of key legislative changes in Uzbekistan that will take effect from 1 April 2026. The reforms cover multiple sectors, including entrepreneurship, taxation, environmental protection, and digitalization of public services.

Notably, the requirement for comprehensive technical task evaluations during the development of pre-project documentation has been abolished, simplifying procedures and shortening project implementation timelines.

Several measures aim to support businesses. Goods not produced in Uzbekistan, imported by manufacturers of dietary supplements and cosmetics for their own needs, will be exempt from customs duties.

Entrepreneurs in conformity assessment services will benefit from eased regulations, including a 2.5-fold reduction in fees for accreditation services, as well as expanded options for selecting educational programs to improve staff qualifications.

Significant changes affect the Value Added Tax (VAT) refund system for foreign citizens. Refunds can now be made in cash, and a tax-free system will be implemented at all international airports, removing previous limitations on eligible goods (excluding food products).

In the context of digitalization and transparency, new requirements will be introduced for payments. Transactions for various goods and services—including government services, utilities, fuel, real estate, and vehicles—will be conducted primarily cashless, using bank cards or electronic payment systems.

State bodies and organizations with public ownership are required to actively engage citizens and entrepreneurs in addressing priority issues. This includes posting announcements and holding competitions on crowdsourcing platforms, as well as organizing regular meetings with startup initiators.

New provisions for notary activities come into force, covering electronic data exchange between notaries and banks in real estate and vehicle transactions, and mechanisms for selecting and training notary candidates.

Social sector reforms include enabling public-private partnerships for preschool institutions in regions with less than 80% coverage, and medical institutions transitioning to a five-day workweek.

Public procurement will include price preferences for local producers, and foreign citizens with Uzbek language proficiency of B1 or higher will have a simplified citizenship procedure.

Environmental regulation will be strengthened with financial sanctions for violations of environmental laws, along with mechanisms for community oversight of green spaces.

Road safety regulations will now apply penalty points for violations recorded by automated photo and video systems, allowing responsibility to be shared between the vehicle owner and the actual driver.

Overall, the legislative reforms aim to further liberalize the economy, support entrepreneurship, digitalize public services, and improve the quality of life for Uzbekistan’s population.