Heating, gas, and new rules for business. What will change in Uzbekistan from November 1

**Heating, gas, and new rules for business. What will change in Uzbekistan from November 1**

Uzbekistan, Tashkent –

From November 1, a new package of rules and changes will come into force in Uzbekistan. They will affect several areas at once — public utilities, entrepreneurship, urban planning, transport, and international travel.

### Heating will become more expensive

From November 1, Tashkent plans to increase tariffs for heating and hot water. The corresponding draft implies a price growth of about 30% for the services.

According to the proposed rates, heating will cost 314 soums per square meter per day, including VAT. Currently, the tariff is 241.4 soums.

Hot water with a meter will cost 11,607 soums per cubic meter instead of the current 8,928.7 soums. For consumers without meters, the monthly fee will be 45,330 soums per person instead of the previous 34,868.9 soums. For hostel residents, the hot water tariff is planned to be set at 33,720 soums per person per month.

It is also proposed to raise the thermal energy tariff to 206,636 soums per gigacalorie — by almost 48%.

Public discussion of the draft will last until October 28.

### Gas and electricity under new rules

From November 1, for enterprises connected to automated electricity and natural gas accounting systems, the monthly advance payment will be reduced to 15%. The new terms will apply to consumers whose meters support remote disconnection and reconnection.

At the same time, the benefit will not extend to entrepreneurs with poor payment discipline over the previous two months. For enterprises using automated accounting systems, the requirement to send written reports on resource consumption to regional suppliers will also be canceled. In addition, electricity and gas supply contracts will be transferred to an electronic format.

The changes will also affect the supply of liquefied gas. From November 1, its procurement and delivery will be organized through a separate exchange platform.

According to "Hududgaztaminot", over 398 thousand tons of liquefied gas were supplied to the population in January–September 2026. Another 325.7 thousand tons are planned for delivery for the 2026/2027 autumn-winter season.

### Urban planning documentation will be digitized

From November 1, the procedure for working with urban planning documentation will change in Uzbekistan. The National Committee for Sustainable Development of Urbanization and the Housing Market will begin maintaining a unified electronic register of master plans. It will be possible to implement projects only after the official registration of the relevant documents.

After the approval of the general plan, a territory development program for three to five years will need to be prepared within three months, indicating the sources of financing and the implementation deadlines for the measures.

Local kengashes will monitor the implementation of such programs, and information on their execution will need to be published in the media.

For cities that do not have general plans or where current documents were approved more than ten years ago, new plans will be prepared at the expense of the state budget.

### Promotional calls will be time-restricted

From November 1, mobile advertising rules will change in Uzbekistan. Companies and individuals will have to obtain the recipients' consent for promotional SMS mailings, and operators of such services will have to register their information systems in the state register of personal data bases.

In addition, promotional calls and messages will be prohibited from 18:00 to 09:00. Subscribers will be able to ask mobile operators to fully or partially block promotional SMS and calls.

### Pensioners will be able to travel on trains at a discount

From November 1 to 30, citizens of Uzbekistan receiving an old-age pension will be able to buy tickets for domestic trains at a 20% discount. The benefit applies to women over 55 and men over 60.

The discount will apply to the tariff portion of the ticket cost, with the exception of the high-speed "Afrosiyob" trains. Tickets can be purchased at railway ticket offices or online.

The campaign is held twice a year: in October, as part of the Elderly People Week, and in November, which is declared the month of tourism for the elderly.

### Logistics will receive new benefits

From November 1, the customs fee for processing international parcels delivered by courier services will decrease by 20% in Uzbekistan. Benefits are also provided for the import of equipment and components for logistics centers and vehicle manufacturers.

Until August 1, 2029, registered logistics centers will be able, subject to established conditions, to import certain types of equipment and spare parts not produced in Uzbekistan without duties and mandatory certification. For manufacturers of M-2, M-3, and N category vehicles, similar benefits will be valid until the end of 2027.

In addition, by the end of 2030, logistics centers must connect to the E-logistika digital platform of the Ministry of Transport.

### New rules for overseas travel

From November, travel conditions to Egypt and Kazakhstan will change for citizens of Uzbekistan. Egypt will tighten entry requirements for certain categories of tourists, while Kazakhstan will start introducing an electronic permit system.

To travel to Egypt, Uzbeks will need to apply for a visa in advance through the country's diplomatic missions. In addition, tourist trips will have to be organized exclusively through accredited tour operators.

Citizens under 40 years of age will be able to enter Egypt only accompanied by close relatives — parents, spouse, or children. At the same time, the family must have at least 5 thousand dollars in cash. Independent travelers over 40 will need a minimum of 3 thousand dollars.

When passing border control, tourists will need to present hotel booking confirmation, mobile communications data, and documents confirming the availability of the required amount. Changing the type of tourist visa during the stay in the country will be prohibited.

Passengers who do not provide a full package of documents will not be allowed into Egypt. In this case, they will be deported at the expense of the airline they arrived with.

In November, Kazakhstan will begin implementing an electronic entry permit. At the first stage, the system will operate at Aktau airport and at individual road checkpoints.

From July 1, 2027, the permit will become mandatory. An application through the digital platform must be submitted no later than 72 hours before the trip. The requirement applies to citizens of countries with which Kazakhstan has concluded visa-free agreements, including member states of the Eurasian Economic Union.

At the same time, exceptions are provided. A permit will not be required for citizens of visa-free countries under 16 and over 65 years of age, drivers of international trucks and buses, crew members of aircraft and watercraft, train crews, as well as certain categories of diplomats and official delegations. Exceptions are also provided for some other categories of foreigners.