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Kazakhstan will tighten bank account rules from January 11, 2026, requiring a clean separation between personal finances and professional or business income. The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) says the move aims to curb the misuse of personal accounts and bring transparency to cashless payments.

This was reported by the Infohub.kz news agency.

What changes from January 11, 2026

Updated rules for opening, maintaining and closing accounts will require individuals, when opening a personal account, to confirm in writing that it will not be used for business or professional activity unless a separate agreement with the bank states otherwise.

The resolution approving the changes was adopted on December 31, 2025, and takes legal effect on January 11, 2026.

Who is covered by the ban

The prohibition applies to income from entrepreneurial activity, special tax regimes for the self-employed, notarial and advocacy services, enforcement by private bailiffs, and dispute resolution through mediation.

Using a personal current account for these types of earnings will not be allowed under the new framework.

Additional approval for certain current accounts

For some categories of current accounts, clients must present authorization from the central authorized body for budget execution (the Treasury). Documentation must comply with treasury execution procedures, cash servicing rules, and treasury accounting and monitoring requirements.

Self-employed: required documents

Individuals operating under a special tax regime, including self-employed persons, will provide two documents to open a current account: an identity document and an application to open an account under the special tax regime.

The application must be prepared in accordance with Section 77 of the Tax Code.

Non-cash payments via escrow for grant projects

Rules for cashless payments are also updated. For commercialization within grant-funded scientific and scientific-technical projects, payments from an escrow-mode current account opened in the grantee’s name will be made strictly under contract and transferred to the counterparty’s bank account.

Effective date and what to do now

The new requirements take effect on January 11, 2026. Individuals earning from professional or entrepreneurial activities should plan to use dedicated business or professional accounts and prepare the necessary documents ahead of time.