Oezbekistan: wat je moet weten voor vertrek
Het belangrijkste
- Registration is mandatory: hotels register you automatically; in private flats your host must register you via E-mehmon (FCDO: within 3 days of arrival). Missing registration means fines or deportation.
- Fill in the customs declaration in two copies on entry and keep the stamped copy — you can't leave with more foreign cash than you declared on arrival.
- Drones are effectively banned without an import licence; codeine and some other medicines are restricted — check before you fly.
- Russian-issued Mir, Visa and Mastercard cards don't work; bring USD/EUR cash or a non-Russian card.
- US citizens have been visa-free for 30 days since 1 Jan 2026; British and EU citizens also 30 days. Get an entry stamp — overstays are fined.
Inreis en visa
CIS citizens (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine) need no visa. EU, UK, Turkey, UAE, China and (since 1 Jan 2026) US citizens get 30 days visa-free. Indians: 30 days visa-free only with a valid multiple-entry US, UK, Schengen, Canada, Australia, Japan, NZ or Korea visa (from Sept 2026), otherwise e-Visa. A tourist tax applies per night and is usually collected by hotels.
Online aankomstformulieren en vergunningen
- Uzbekistan e-Visa ↗ optioneel
At least 3 working days before travel · Kosten: USD 20 · Eligible nationalities that are not visa-free - E-mehmon registration ↗ verplicht
On arrival (hotels do it; private hosts register you) · All foreign visitors
Geldigheid paspoort: At least 3 months beyond arrival.
Aan de grens kan worden gevraagd naar
- Complete two copies of the customs declaration; keep the stamped one for exit.
- Check you get an entry stamp.
- Ask hotels for registration slips (or keep the E-mehmon confirmation).
Douane
- Declare cash over USD 10,000 and precious metals/gems over 65 g.
- You can't export more foreign currency than declared on entry.
- Check the list of restricted medicines; carry prescriptions and declare medicines.
- Drones need an import licence and permission in advance.
Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, e-visa.gov.uz ↗, esquireindia.co.in ↗, t-j.ru ↗
Geld
Contant en pinnen zijn allebei gangbaar. Kaarten vooral in steden en toeristische plaatsen.
Betaalnetwerken: Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay
Apple Pay — werkt op sommige plekken · Google Pay — werkt op sommige plekken
Waar je geld wisselt
- Banks and official exchange booths (e.g. in bank branches, hotels) — rates are close to the official one
- ATMs in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara for UZS (some dispense USD)
Waar je beter niet wisselt
- Street money changers (illegal, risk of fake notes)
- Dynamic currency conversion
Geldautomaten: ATMs accept foreign Visa/Mastercard in big cities; some fail — have a backup card and cash. Carry plenty of cash outside major cities.
Fooi: Many restaurants add 10–15% service; otherwise rounding up is enough.
- Russian cards (Mir, Visa, Mastercard) don't work; some Russian UnionPay cards reportedly do. QR payments via some Russian bank apps work at connected merchants.
- Local payment apps (Click, Payme) need an Uzbek card.
Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: cbu.uz ↗, t-j.ru ↗, avo.cards ↗
Regels en verboden
Verboden
- Drones without permits
- Any drugs; some prescription medicines (e.g. codeine) restricted
- Photographing military sites, airports, border areas and some metro/government buildings
- Unofficial currency exchange
Wetten die reizigers onbewust overtreden
- Register each stay as required; keep registration slips.
- Same-sex relations between men are criminalised.
- Carry your passport for police checks.
Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗
Cultuur en kleding
Religie: Mostly Sunni Muslim, secular state; alcohol is available.
Kleding: Modest: cover shoulders and knees, especially in mosques, madrasas and the Fergana Valley. Women should bring a scarf for mosques.
Etiquette
- Bread (non) is sacred — never put it upside down or throw it away.
- Accept tea with the right hand; hosts pour small amounts as a sign of hospitality.
- Remove shoes in homes.
- Bargain in bazaars.
Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗
Klimaat
Sharply continental and dry: very hot summers (Bukhara/Khiva 40°C+), cold winters near or below freezing, short pleasant springs and autumns.
Per maand
- januari: Jan: cold, Tashkent ~-3–6°C
- februari: Feb: cold, occasional snow
- maart: Mar: mild; Navruz (21 Mar)
- april: Apr: pleasant, ~12–24°C, ideal
- mei: May: warm, ideal
- juni: Jun: hot, 30–35°C
- juli: Jul: very hot, 40°C+ in the desert
- augustus: Aug: very hot and dry
- september: Sep: warm, pleasant, harvest
- oktober: Oct: mild, ideal
- november: Nov: cool
- december: Dec: cold
Beste seizoen: April–May and September–October.
Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: en.wikipedia.org ↗
Wat mee te nemen
- Cash in clean USD/EUR
- Scarf and long clothing for mosques
- Sun hat, sunscreen
- Prescriptions for medicines
- Copies of passport and registration slips
Niet meenemen / invoer verboden
- Drones
- Codeine painkillers without checking rules
- Relying on Russian bank cards
Praktisch
Stopcontacten: Type C/F, 220 V, 50 Hz
Water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
Verkeer: rechts rijden
Mobiel en eSIM: SIMs from Beeline, Ucell, Mobiuz, Uzmobile with a passport; eSIMs available.
Apps: Yandex Go, Yandex Maps, Uzbekistan Railways (UZ Railways), Google Maps
Gezondheid: No compulsory vaccinations; hepatitis A and typhoid advised. Food hygiene can be poor in summer.
Verzekering: Not required for entry; travel medical insurance recommended.
Noodnummers: 112 — unified; 101 fire, 102 police, 103 ambulance
Gecontroleerd op 29 oktober 2026 · Bronnen: gov.uk ↗, travelhealthpro.org.uk ↗
Inreisregels veranderen. Controleer vóór de reis de website van de ambassade of immigratiedienst van het land.