The government of Uzbekistan is taking decisive steps to sharply reduce cash transactions. According to a new decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which will take effect on April 1, 2026, cash payments for certain goods and services will be prohibited.
Under the decree, payments for alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and utility services — including electricity, gas, water, and fuel stations — will only be allowed in non-cash form. Payments for services provided by government agencies are also included in this list.
The restrictions do not stop there. The purchase and sale of real estate and vehicles less than 10 years old will be fully transferred to a cashless system. Additionally, any goods or services priced above 25 million Uzbek soms (approximately 3,400 AZN at the current exchange rate) will not accept cash payments.
The main goal of these reforms is to reduce the size of the “shadow economy” in the country. The government aims to increase the share of cashless payments in the trade and service sector to 75% by 2030.
