According to the review prepared based on materials of the Ministry of Justice, and Lex.uz national legislative database, several legislative changes and novelties have taken effect in Uzbekistan since April 1.

Payments for Gasoline, Cigarettes, Cars, and Real Estate—Cashless Only

Payments for electricity, natural gas, drinking water, and goods valued at over 25 million soums are transitioning to a fully cashless form. Certain transactions can now only be completed via bank cards or electronic payment systems.

Approximately 28,000 items—roughly 7% of total goods in circulation—fall under these new requirements:

• Alcohol and Tobacco: About 22,000 items (due to the wide variety).
• Gas Stations: Sale of oil and gas products and electric vehicle charging.
• Transport and Housing: 561 types of real estate and vehicles (manufactured within the last 10 years).
• Governmental Services: 56 different types of governmental services.

The new requirements also apply to purchase and sale of real estate and vehicles in categories M, N, O, and G (produced within the last 10 years), including specialized machinery.

Settlements for these transactions must now be conducted through escrow accounts. Funds will only be transferred to the seller once the contract has been certified by a notary.

VAT Refunds for Foreigners

A value-added tax (VAT) refund system (Tax Free) for foreign citizens is being introduced at all international airports across the country. The minimum purchase amount for a refund is dropping from 1 million to 300,000 soums. Additionally, the restricted list of eligible goods (excluding food products) is being abolished.

Mortgages for the Self-Employed

Starting April 1, self-employed individuals who pay social tax are eligible for state-funded mortgage loans. Eligibility checks for subsidies will now be performed automatically through the Ministry of Economy and Finance's subsidya.idm.uz system, removing human intervention from the process.

Medical Facilities Move to a Five-Day Week

Public medical institutions in Uzbekistan are transitioning from a six-day to a five-day work week. On weekends, services will be maintained by staff on duty.

Traffic Violation Points via Cameras

Penalty points will now be issued not only for violations recorded by traffic officers but also for those captured by surveillance cameras. If the violation was committed by someone other than the owner (e.g., via power of attorney or insurance policy), the points will be assigned to the actual driver.

SOS Button for Women with Protection Orders

With their consent, women who have suffered violence and hold a protection order will have a National Agency for Social Protection mobile app (SOS button) installed on their devices. When pressed, internal affairs officers within a 5km radius are required to arrive at the scene within 10 minutes.

Environmental Sanctions Shift to Legal Entities

Fines for violating environmental laws will now be applied exclusively to legal entities (companies) rather than their employees.