Review of changes in the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan for December 2024
- The Operator of the unified gambling accounting system has been identified
- Changes in compulsory social health insurance (CHI)
- Changes in the rules of currency transactions in Kazakhstan
- Embassies and consulates of Kazakhstan have suspended the issuance of IINS to non-residents
- Penalties for illegal collection of personal data in Kazakhstan have been tightened
- Contact our legal team to learn more
The Operator of the unified gambling accounting system has been identified
On December 20, 2024, the Government adopted a resolution on the establishment of the Unified Accounting System Operator Limited Liability Partnership. This partnership will be fully owned by the state, and its authorized capital will be formed at the expense of the republican property assigned to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
The main task of the operator will be to ensure the functioning of a unified accounting system provided for by the law "On Gambling".
The system will ensure all financial transactions between betting participants, bookmakers and sweepstakes, including the of winnings payment. Accepting and making payments without the participation of the system is prohibited.
The system is also required to block payments for persons who are restricted from participating in gambling or betting.
Changes in compulsory social health insurance (CHI)
In December 2024, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan prepared a draft law "On Amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on compulsory social health insurance."
According to the current draft, starting in 2026, it is planned to increase the upper limit of income used to calculate contributions to the MHI from 10 times to 50 times the minimum wage (from 850,000 tenge to 4,250,000 tenge (approximately €8 212)). This will lead to an increase in contributions for high-income employees.
If the bill is passed, employers will pay 3% of employees' income within the new limit, and 2% of employees' salaries will be deducted. The changes may affect about 9% of employees whose incomes exceed the current limit.
Changes in the rules of currency transactions in Kazakhstan
On January 1, 2025, the amendments introduced by the resolution of the Board of the National Bank dated August 22, 2024 came into force.
Now, resident legal entities, when purchasing non-cash foreign currency for a total amount exceeding 50,000 US dollars in equivalent per business day (including all applications during the day), are required to:
- Specify the purpose of the purchase.
- Provide a currency agreement.
- Indicate the obligation to sell unused currency back.
Without providing these documents, legal entities can purchase foreign currency from one bank in the amount of up to 50,000 US dollars in equivalent on one business day.
For transfers of foreign currency to another bank, legal entities are also required to indicate in the application the date of purchase of the currency, as well as the number and date of the currency agreement under which it was purchased. In the absence of this information, the bank will refuse to carry out the operation.
Embassies and consulates of Kazakhstan have suspended the issuance of IINS to non-residents
Since January 1, 2025, Kazakhstan's foreign institutions have stopped issuing Individual Identification Numbers (IINS) to foreign citizens.
Earlier, during 2024, there was a pilot project initiated jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, under which foreign citizens could obtain an IIN at 96 embassies and consulates of Kazakhstan abroad.
Although a draft regulatory legal act was published earlier in December 2024 to extend this service until December 2025, this draft has not yet entered into force. Accordingly, obtaining an IIN is possible only in public service centers in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
An IIN is a unique identification number required to receive a number of government and banking services. Without an IIN, it is impossible, for example, to open a legal entity, a bank account, or access other administrative services.
Foreign citizens planning to apply for an IIN are advised to plan a visit to Kazakhstan in advance and prepare the necessary documents for applying to public service centers.
Penalties for illegal collection of personal data in Kazakhstan have been tightened
On December 26, 2024, amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences were approved in Kazakhstan, providing for a threefold increase in fines for illegal collection and processing of personal data.
Main changes:
- For individuals, the fine has been increased from 10 to 30 MCI (approximately €280).
- For small businesses, non-profit organizations, notaries, private bailiffs and officials – from 20 to 60 MCI (approximately €455).
- For medium–sized businesses - from 30 to 100 MCI (approximately €760).
- For large business entities – from 70 to 200 MCI (approximately €1 520).
According to the Ministry of Justice, in recent years there has been an increase in violations in the field of personal data protection. This indicates that the current penalties are not effective enough. The tightening of sanctions is aimed at increasing the preventive effect and strengthening the protection of personal information.
Thus, it is recommended that businesses review their internal personal data processing policies and take additional measures to ensure information security.
If you have any questions, the REVERA Kazakhstan legal team will be able to advise you.
Author: Tashkarayev Zhanture
Contact our legal team to learn more
Write to lawyerDear journalists, use of material from the REVERA website in publications is only possible with our written permission.
To approve material, please contact i.antonova@revera.legal or Telegram: https://t.me/PR_revera
