Kvazar · Atlas · Tourist Tax

The Tourist Tax in Uzbekistan: What It Is and How Much

A small but little-known line of trip spending. Uzbekistan, like many countries, charges guests a symbolic hotel tax for each night of stay. The sum is tiny — a couple of dollars a day — but meeting it at reception unprepared can be a surprise. Here's who pays, how much and how.

A Kvazar guide · Updated 2026 · ~6 min read

Home → Atlas → Tourist Tax

The tourist tax is the last of the practical little things worth knowing before a trip to Uzbekistan. It's not a visa payment or a duty: similar hotel taxes have long existed in dozens of countries from Catalonia to Japan, and Uzbekistan is no exception. The amount is modest and barely affects the budget, but it's useful to understand the mechanics — so you're not surprised by an extra line on the hotel bill and keep a little cash on hand for it in advance.

In short: Uzbekistan has a tourist (hotel) tax — a small charge for each night of stay, paid by foreign guests. Its size is tied to the base calculation value (BCV) and depends on the type and size of the accommodation: the larger the hotel, the higher the rate. In practice this is roughly $2–5 per day. The tax is usually charged to guests over 16 for stays of less than 30 days. It's paid at reception on check-in (in cash, in som or foreign currency) or is already included in the price at booking. In private accommodation it's paid during registration through the E-mehmon system.
In this guide What the tourist tax is How much it is Who pays How and where to pay When it's already included FAQ

What is the tourist tax in Uzbekistan?

It's a hotel tax that accommodation providers charge guests for each day of stay and remit to the state for the development of tourism infrastructure. It isn't tied to the visa or registration — it's a separate small payment linked to the overnight stay. Similar taxes exist in many countries around the world.

It's important not to confuse three different things: the visa (not needed by most tourists), registration (mandatory recording of your place of stay) and the tourist tax (a charge per night). They're independent of each other. The tax is the most "harmless" of the three: it's minimal in amount and requires nothing of you beyond paying it on the spot.

How much is the tax?

The size of the tax is calculated as a percentage of the base calculation value (BCV) and depends on the type of accommodation. The rate is higher the larger the hotel: for private accommodation and small guesthouses it's minimal, for large hotels it's maximal (around 15% of the BCV per day). Translated into money, that's roughly $2–5 per day per person. The BCV is an indexed value (since August 2025 it has been 412,000 som), so the absolute amount changes over time.
Type of accommodationRate (approximate)
Private accommodation, small guesthouses (up to ~10 rooms)minimal (a few % of the BCV)
Mid-size hotels (~11–40 rooms)about 10% of the BCV
Large hotels (over ~40 rooms)about 15% of the BCV

The logic is simple: a night at a large city hotel carries a higher tax than a night at a family guesthouse. Specific lower rates are stated differently across sources, and the rules have been adjusted over time, so the exact amount is always visible either at booking or at reception. In any case it's a small sum relative to the cost of the stay itself.

What the BCV is. The base calculation value is an indexed benchmark to which many payments, fines and fees in Uzbekistan are tied. Since August 1, 2025, 1 BCV = 412,000 som. When the state revises the BCV, the absolute size of the tourist tax automatically changes too, although the percentage rate stays the same.

Who pays the tourist tax?

The tax is paid by foreign guests staying in hotels and other accommodation. As a rule, it's charged to tourists over 16 and for stays of less than 30 days in the country. The charge accrues for each day of stay, even if the day is incomplete. Children under that age are generally exempt.

For an ordinary tourist this means: for each night in each city, a small tax sum is added to the bill. On a four-city route over two weeks, that's a few tens of dollars in total — a noticeable but not critical amount for the budget, which it's worth simply allowing for in advance.

How and where do you pay?

The tax is paid in two ways: at reception on check-in (in cash, in som or foreign currency at the hotel's rate) or in advance at booking, if that option exists. In private accommodation the tax is paid when arranging registration through the E-mehmon system. The accommodation providers collect and remit the money themselves.

Practical tip: keep a small reserve of cash on hand for when a hotel asks you to pay the tax separately at the desk. Sometimes it's already included in the booking price, sometimes it's charged on the spot — better to check in advance. If you book online, information on the tax amount is usually given in the hotel details or in your account; if it isn't, ask at booking.

When is the tax already included in the price?

Some hotels and aggregators include the tourist tax in the cost of the stay at booking — then there's nothing to pay separately at reception. In other cases the tax is charged additionally on the spot. There's no single rule, so the status of the tax is worth checking for each specific booking.

To avoid surprises, when booking pay attention to notes like "taxes and fees included." If there's no such note, assume the tax is paid separately on check-in. This is the little detail that won't spoil a trip, but will spare you an awkward moment at the desk if you find yourself without cash.

The tourist tax in Uzbekistan is a couple of dollars a night and one line worth knowing about in advance.

Frequently asked questions about the tourist tax

What is the tourist tax in Uzbekistan?

It's a hotel tax for each night of stay, which hotels charge foreign guests and remit to the state for tourism development. It isn't tied to the visa or registration.

How much does it cost?

The size is tied to the base calculation value (BCV) and depends on the type of accommodation: from a minimal rate for private accommodation to about 15% of the BCV for large hotels. In practice, roughly $2–5 per day.

Who has to pay?

Foreign guests, as a rule over 16, for stays of less than 30 days. The tax accrues for each day of stay, even an incomplete one. Children under that age are usually exempt.

How and where do you pay?

At reception on check-in (in cash, in som or foreign currency) or in advance at booking. In private accommodation — during registration through E-mehmon. The accommodation providers collect the tax themselves.

Can the tax already be included in the price?

Yes. Some hotels and aggregators include it in the booking cost. In other cases it's charged separately on the spot. Check the status of the tax for each booking.

What is the BCV?

The base calculation value — an indexed benchmark to which payments and fees in Uzbekistan are tied. Since August 1, 2025, 1 BCV = 412,000 som. When it's revised, the absolute size of the tax changes too.

Keep preparing

Want to see Uzbekistan the way the people who live here see it?

Become a Kvazar Explorer →