On 15 March 2026, the citizens of Kazakhstan approved the draft of a new Constitution at a national referendum, with 87.15% of participants voting in favour. The document took effect on 1 July 2026, replacing the 1995 Constitution.
The key institutional changes are the transition from a bicameral Parliament to a unicameral Kurultai of 145 deputies (elections are scheduled for August 2026), the introduction of the office of vice-president, and the creation of a new consultative body — the People’s Council.
What businesses need to know
- all current laws and codes, including tax legislation, remain in force to the extent they do not contradict the new Constitution;
- the priority of national legislation is now enshrined: the provision on the supremacy of international treaties over the laws of Kazakhstan has been removed;
- the status of the tenge as the sole national currency and the state’s exclusive right of monetary issue are confirmed;
- disclosure requirements regarding foreign financing of non-profit organisations have been expanded;
- personal data protection guarantees have been strengthened: the privacy of correspondence now expressly covers messengers and digital services.
During the transition period, individual laws and regulations will be brought into line with the new Constitution. ECOVIS Kazakhstan specialists are monitoring the changes and can advise on the practical implications for your business.