Azerbaijan (AZ)
Oil-rich Caspian nation blending ancient heritage with a modern capital, offering low living costs, a strategic Silk Road location, and a rapidly growing expat community in energy, diplomacy, and tech sectors.
Digital Services
Digital ID, e-government and essential apps in Azerbaijan.
ASAN İmza (e-Signature) / İD Kart
ASAN imza is Azerbaijan's mobile digital signature — a SIM-based qualified electronic signature that allows citizens and residents to sign documents and authenticate for government services. The İD Kart (national ID card) is the physical smart card with an embedded chip for digital authentication. Foreign residents with a TRP can apply for an ASAN imza through mobile operators.
How to get it: ASAN imza: Apply at an ASAN Service centre or via mobile operator stores (Azercell, Bakcell). Requires TRP and VÖEN. The e-signature is loaded onto a SIM card. İD Kart equivalent for foreigners: the TRP itself serves as an identity document. ASAN imza is available to foreign residents and enables use of the full e-gov.az portal.
E-Government Portal
https://www.e-gov.azThe e-gov.az portal is primarily in Azerbaijani language. Most services require ASAN imza authentication for full access. ASAN Service centres (asan.gov.az) provide in-person assistance for complex e-government transactions and are the recommended starting point for new arrivals.
Essential Apps
Bolt
FreeDominant ride-hailing app in Baku. Download before arrival. Also covers Ganja and Sumgayit.
Uber
FreeRide-hailing app operating in Baku. Comparable pricing to Bolt. Good airport transfers.
BakıKart App
FreeOfficial app for Baku Metro BakıKart top-up and balance checking. Available on iOS and Android.
M10
FreeAzerbaijani mobile wallet for contactless payments, utility bills, and transfers. Widely used for everyday payments.
Kapital Bank Mobile
FreeMost feature-rich mobile banking app in Azerbaijan. Supports bill payments, SWIFT transfers, card management, and ASAN Ödəniş.
ASAN Viza
FreeOfficial e-visa application portal for Azerbaijan (evisa.gov.az). Use before arrival for 30-day tourist e-Visa.
Wolt
FreeLeading food delivery app in Baku with wide restaurant coverage. Delivery typically 20–40 minutes.
Glovo
FreeFood and grocery delivery app in Baku. Competes with Wolt across most Baku districts.
ExpatCheapRent
FreeExpat-focused cheap rental finder at expatcheaprent.com — compares listings across major rental portals to help newcomers find affordable apartments.
Bina.az
FreeLeading property portal in Azerbaijan for rentals and purchases. Useful for apartment hunting.
Tap.az
FreeGeneral classifieds and marketplace app. Used for secondhand goods, housing, vehicles, and services.
The primary messaging platform in Azerbaijan — used for personal, business, and community communications. Essential.
Telegram
FreeWidely used for news channels, group communications, and business messaging in Azerbaijan.
ICBAR Mobile
FreeApp for checking mandatory health insurance contributions and status (icbar.gov.az).
Azerbaijan is rapidly digitising its public services. ASAN Service centres (asan.gov.az) in Baku are exemplary one-stop government service centres — clean, well-staffed, and efficient. They offer over 400 public services and accept payments on-site. New arrivals should visit an ASAN Service centre early to handle TRP, VÖEN, and related documentation. Note that most e-gov portals and government websites are in Azerbaijani language — use Google Translate where needed or bring an Azerbaijani-speaking colleague.