Why is this important
Expansion of non-cash payments is one of the key tools for reducing the shadow economy and increasing the transparency of financial flows. The transition of a portion of mandatory payments to electronic format strengthens control over cash flow and reduces the risks of unaccounted transactions. This also stimulates the development of digital payment services and changes the daily financial habits of the population.
What happened
- Starting from 2026, a number of payments in Uzbekistan can only be made using bank cards or electronic payment systems based on a government decree.
- The innovation will take effect from April 1, 2026 — the measure is aimed at reducing the share of the shadow economy by 2030.
- The document provides for a target for reducing the share of the shadow economy in the gross domestic product by 1.3 times, and also sets the task of increasing the share of non-cash payments of the population in trade and services to 75%.
Cashless form of payment
Payments for the following items will be converted to cashless payments:
- services provided by state bodies;
- payment for electricity, natural gas, drinking water;
- alcoholic and tobacco products;
- sale of petroleum products to the population through gas stations and electric vehicle charging services;
- goods and services worth more than 25 million soums;
- sale and purchase of real estate, vehicles of categories M, N, O and G, the age of which does not exceed 10 years, and specialized vehicles.
Context
- The state develops payment infrastructure, stimulates the use of bank cards and electronic wallets, and limits the circulation of cash in certain sectors of the economy.
- These measures are aimed at increasing the transparency of financial operations, improving tax administration, and reducing the informal circulation of funds.
- For the population, this means wider use of bank cards and electronic payment services in everyday settlements.
- For the state, this is a tool to combat shadow turnover and a step towards increasing the share of official financial transactions in the economy.
