BAKU, Azerbaijan - Bank customers in Azerbaijan may be refused a second debit card for the same product in the same currency unless they give the issuing bank a reasonable explanation for needing it.
The policy does not limit a person to one bank card overall. Under the banking sector’s risk-based approach, a customer may generally hold one card for each product in manats and one card for that product in each foreign currency. The customer may also obtain different products from the same bank or cards from other banks.
For example, holding a manat-denominated card does not prevent a customer from requesting a dollar-denominated version or a different debit-card product. But ordering two active cards of the same product in the same currency may trigger an additional review.
Extra Cards Require an Explanation
A customer may ask for another identical card for a legitimate reason, such as keeping savings separate from daily spending. The bank can then review the stated purpose, the customer’s transaction history and whether the explanation is consistent with information already held about the account.
An explanation does not guarantee approval. The bank or electronic-money institution may increase the basic limit for an individual customer only after it is satisfied that the additional payment instrument will not be used for illegal purposes, according to an Azerbaijan Banks Association explanation reported by Lent.az.
Some banks have already incorporated the restriction into their ordering systems. Bank Respublika’s card-order page, for example, says a new card of the same product and currency can be ordered only when no active card exists for that product.
Existing Cards Remain Valid
Cards issued before the change can continue to be used until they expire or the holder closes them. The approach excludes salary cards, pension cards and other social-payment cards, along with cards linked to business and deposit accounts.
Virtual cards are counted within the relevant card product. Banks began introducing the broader risk-based approach on Aug. 1, 2026, with implementation proceeding in stages according to each institution’s technical systems and internal procedures.
Five Incoming Transactions a Day, 20,000 Manats a Month
The restriction on the number of cards is separate from limits on money credited to a payment instrument.
Under the baseline framework agreed by the Azerbaijan Banks Association and the Azerbaijan Fintech Association, each payment instrument may receive no more than five incoming transactions a day and incoming transfers totaling up to 20,000 manats a month. The rule also covers cash deposits through payment terminals and ATMs.
The associations said the limits are intended to reduce the risk of payment services being misused. Transfers between a customer’s own cards and incoming transfers from close relatives may be excluded, while banks can make other exceptions after reviewing the customer’s explanation and supporting information. Trend reported the associations’ detailed statement when the framework took effect in August.
The framework does not impose a sector-wide limit on outgoing transactions. Customers may still face withdrawal fees, ATM limits and other technical or contractual restrictions set by their individual bank.
The 50,000-Manat Figure Refers to Reporting
A separate 50,000-manat threshold that is due to apply from Jan. 1, 2027, concerns the reporting of individuals’ electronic transfers to Azerbaijan’s Financial Monitoring Service. It is a reporting threshold, not a new general monthly limit for adding money to a card.
For customers, the immediate practical change is narrower: requesting a second identical debit card may now require a direct application and a clear explanation of why it is needed. People who want to separate savings from everyday spending can still ask for another card, but should confirm the available products and approval requirements with their bank.
Source: Vesti Baku, the Azerbaijan Banks Association, the Azerbaijan Fintech Association, Trend and Lent.az.