Strengthening the protection of entrepreneurial activity
From 18 November 2026, new provisions aimed at strengthening guarantees of freedom of entrepreneurial activity and improving mechanisms for supporting business entities enter into force.
The Law provides for expanded legal guarantees for the protection of entrepreneurs, improved state oversight and the introduction of additional business support mechanisms.
Key changes
Protection of private property. Additional guarantees of the inviolability of private property are established, including a prohibition on state authorities initiating a review or annulment of privatisation results, including the results of valuations of privatised property.
Restrictions on inspections and enforcement measures. Inspections based on a risk analysis system and information from other state authorities must be conducted after preventive measures, subject to established exceptions. Suspension of activities and a number of other enforcement measures are permitted primarily by court order.
Mitigation of financial sanctions. Where violations are remedied and damage is voluntarily compensated, financial sanctions do not apply, except for sanctions for tax offences. Provision is made for the possibility of paying 50% of a fine within one month, with exemption from the remaining amount, or paying it in instalments over six months.
Unified Register of Mandatory Requirements. A Unified Register of Mandatory Requirements in the field of entrepreneurial activity is being introduced. Entrepreneurs may not be held liable for failure to comply with requirements not included in that Register.
Simplified suspension of activities. Provision is made for the temporary suspension of entrepreneurial activity at the entrepreneur’s own request, with a corresponding suspension of certain tax and statistical reporting obligations.
Classification of businesses. Categories of micro, small, medium-sized and large businesses are established by law, depending on aggregate annual income and the composition of participants.
Additional state support measures. The legal framework for supporting social and responsible entrepreneurship is established, including through tax and customs benefits, grants and preferences in public procurement.
Legal basis: Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. ZRU-1168 dated 17 August 2026.
What this means for business
The changes are aimed at reducing the administrative burden and strengthening the protection of entrepreneurs in their dealings with state authorities. Companies are advised to take the new guarantees into account during inspections, when appealing decisions of regulatory authorities and when using state support measures.
Advertising and marketing
From 1 November 2026, advertising SMS messages may be sent only after obtaining the recipient’s written or electronic consent. A prohibition on advertising calls and notifications from 18:00 to 09:00 is also introduced. At a subscriber’s request, mobile operators are required to block advertising calls and SMS messages in full or in part.Legal basis: Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PP-265 dated 15 July 2026.
What this means for business
Companies using SMS marketing are advised, before 1 November, to:
- obtain and document customers’ consents;
- update consent forms and the personal data processing policy;
- adjust the timing of message distribution.
Subsoil use
From 1 November 2026, the procedure for granting subsoil use rights through electronic online auctions changes:- starting prices for auctions are approved;
- where a plot is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, the fee for it equals the auction starting price;
- the starting price for the right to extract precious metals using the prospecting method increases from 35 to 100 base calculation units (BCUs) per hectare.
What this means for business
Subsoil users and investors in mining projects should recalculate their budgets for acquiring rights. If an application is submitted in November or later, the new procedure applies.
Employment relations and pension provision
For persons recognised as unemployed as a result of a reduction in the volume of work or liquidation of an enterprise, proactive assignment of an old-age pension two years before the generally established retirement age is introduced.Employees working in harmful and arduous conditions, as well as other persons entitled to a preferential pension, will be able to apply for its assignment electronically.
By 1 November, provision is made for introducing the capability to record information on qualifying service and workplace assessment results in the Unified National Labour System.
Legal basis: Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PP-355 dated 28 September 2026.
What this means for business
Employers with workplaces involving special working conditions are advised to verify the completeness of information on qualifying service and workplace assessments. HR departments should also update personnel procedures in cases of staff reductions and liquidation of an enterprise.
Real estate agency activities
From 8 November 2026, the new version of the Law «On Real Estate Agency Activities» enters into force:- the authorised body is the State Assets Management Agency;
- real estate agents must undergo training, pass an examination and obtain a qualification certificate;
- real estate agencies and agents may operate only from the date of their inclusion in the public Unified Register;
- four types of services are established: intermediary services in real estate transactions, organisation of auctions, trust management of real estate, and information, consulting and advertising services.
What this means for business
Developers, property development companies and companies working through agents are advised to check whether their real estate agent counterparty is included in the Unified Register. This condition should be included in agency agreements as a representation of fact.
