Azerbaijan tightens oversight of foreign media with registry rule change

The government is revising the system for disclosing ownership structures of commercial legal entities, replacing the concept of a “beneficial owner” with a more formal classification of shareholders and asset holders. Analysts say the move reflects a broader institutional shift in corporate governance.

Azerbaijan has approved a new regulatory framework to modernise property sales through enforcement proceedings and align notarial procedures with electronic systems, in a move authorities say will improve transparency and legal certainty while accelerating transactions.

Azerbaijan has introduced new state fees for forensic examination services ranging from 200 to 2,000 manats, under a cabinet decision signed by Prime Minister Ali Asadov, raising concerns about affordability for low-income citizens.

By a decree of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, dated March 31, 2026, amendments to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Patents” have entered into force. The amendments to the law were adopted by the Milli Majlis on February 10, 2026.