“With new changes, we are increasing the number of individuals whose mandatory insurance premiums are covered by the state by 9 times. We are ensuring that all people in certain categories – children, pensioners, persons with disabilities, and the unemployed – will be insured by the state. For the first time, the law stipulates that the unemployed will also be insured by the state.”
This was stated by Finance Minister Sahil Babayev during the discussion of the 2026 state budget at the plenary session of the Milli Majlis held today.
“900 million manat has been allocated in the state budget for the next year for this purpose. This covers the insurance premiums for approximately 7.3-7.5 million of our citizens. Approximately 2 million individuals are employed. Their insurance premiums are covered by the employee and employer. The insurance of individual entrepreneurs is also covered by them. This means that at least 95% of the population will be fully covered by insurance. Who will be excluded? Those who are employed, have income, hide their income, i.e., are informally employed,” the minister stated.
The minister added that operating informally is prohibited by law. “We are saying that only individuals operating in ways prohibited by legislation will pay their own insurance. What are the criteria for determining this? There will be special rules, and the procedures for their determination will be conducted electronically. It will be determined based on personalized information and the number of the presented identity card which category these individuals fall into. Individuals not in these categories will be asked about the source of their income. They are not excluded from insurance either. Conditions are being created so that by paying a one-time insurance premium, they can benefit from medical services of any amount. On the contrary, this innovation is another positive and preferential step towards covering our population with social insurance.”