Existing bank cards in Azerbaijan will remain valid until they expire or the linked account is closed, despite new risk-based limits on the issuance of additional cards, the Azerbaijan Banks Association said.
The rules, introduced in stages from Aug. 1, 2026, do not invalidate cards that banks have already issued, according to an explanation reported by Vesti Baku.
The basic limit applies to new cards. At each bank, a customer is generally permitted one manat-denominated card for each card product and one card in each foreign currency for that product.
The restriction does not apply to salary, pension and other social-payment cards. Cards linked to business and deposit accounts are also exempt.
The limit is not applied to a customer across Azerbaijan’s entire banking system. A person may still obtain cards from other banks and use different products from the same bank, including separate debit, credit or co-branded cards.
A bank may approve additional cards when a customer demonstrates a reasonable need. The stated purpose and expected transactions must be consistent with information held by the bank and must not raise suspicions of unlawful use.
The Azerbaijan Banks Association said the risk-based approach is intended to curb fraud and misuse of payment instruments. Banks are implementing the rules in phases according to their technical capacity and internal procedures.