Armenia: technology regulation at a glance

Framework: Law of the Republic of Armenia 'On Crypto-Assets' (adopted 29 May 2025, in force 4 July 2025), with implementing by-laws of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) in force from 31 January 2026; supervised and licensed by the Central Bank of Armenia. Crypto-assets are also defined for tax purposes in the Tax Code and treated as a distinct asset class under the Civil Code.

Crypto is legal in Armenia and is now governed by a comprehensive, MiCA-modeled regime. The Law 'On Crypto-Assets' entered into force on 4 July 2025 and the first package of Central Bank by-laws governing crypto-asset service providers took effect on 31 January 2026, requiring CBA licensing for exchanges, custodians, token issuers and related providers. The law regulates the financial (not technological) side of the sector and aligns closely with EU Regulation 2023/1114 (MiCA).

Framework: No comprehensive domestic AI law in force; policy guided by the Ministry of High-Tech Industry's AI priority agenda, the Digital Transformation Strategy 2021-2025, and Armenia's January 2026 signing (not yet ratified) of the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence (CETS No. 225)

Armenia has no standalone AI legislation in force. The government has identified AI as a strategic priority through ministerial policy and the Digital Transformation Strategy 2021-2025, and on 27 January 2026 Armenia signed the Council of Europe's Framework Convention on AI, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, the first international legally binding AI treaty, though domestic ratification is pending. A formal national AI strategy document has been publicly discussed but not formally adopted as binding law.

Framework: Law of the Republic of Armenia on Personal Data Protection (ՀՕ-49-Ն, adopted 18 May 2015, as amended); supervised by the Personal Data Protection Agency (PDPA) under the Ministry of Justice

Armenia has a comprehensive personal data protection law in force since 2015, substantially amended over subsequent years to align closer with GDPR principles and Convention 108+. The Personal Data Protection Agency (PDPA), a subdivision of the Ministry of Justice, serves as the supervisory authority with powers to investigate, fine, and order corrective measures. Armenia was the first state to ratify the modernised Council of Europe Convention 108+ in January 2022, and a further revised law entered into force on 9 August 2025 strengthening purpose limitation and pseudonymisation obligations.

Framework: Law of the Republic of Armenia on Payment Systems and Payment Organizations (HO-150, 21 Dec 2004, as amended); CBA Regulations 17/01-17/03 (payment org licensing), 16/1-16/2 (e-money); supervised by the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA)

Armenia operates a functioning licensing regime for payment institutions and electronic money institutions, administered by the Central Bank of Armenia under the Law on Payment Systems and Payment Organizations. Three distinct licence categories exist, Payment Organisation (PO), Electronic Money Institution (EMI), and Money Transfer Organisation, with a two-month CBA review period. As of April 2026, a new, PSD2-aligned payment services law is under active development to modernise the framework for instant payments and real-time settlements.

Framework: Law on the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Republic of Armenia (1994, as amended); Temporary and Permanent Residence administered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs Migration and Passport Department via migration.e-gov.am; IE registration via Agency for State Register of Legal Entities, Ministry of Justice (e-register.am)

Armenia has no dedicated digital nomad visa, but remote workers and freelancers widely use the Individual Entrepreneur (IE) registration route to obtain a 1-year renewable Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) on entrepreneurial grounds, with no statutory minimum income threshold. Citizens of 116+ nationalities may also enter and stay visa-free for up to 180 days per year without a TRP, making Armenia de facto accessible for shorter-term remote work stays.

Framework: Law of the Republic of Armenia 'On Cybersecurity' (in force 4 January 2026); Law on Mass Communication; Criminal Code hate-speech provisions; Information Systems Regulatory Body (established under December 2025 legislative package); supervised by Ministry of High-Tech Industry

Armenia has a generally open internet rated 'Free' by Freedom House in 2025, with no comprehensive online-safety law comparable to the EU DSA or UK OSA. Regulation is fragmented: a new Cybersecurity Law (January 2026) addresses critical-infrastructure incident response rather than content moderation, while online platforms operate without a dedicated safety or liability regime. A Ministry of Justice draft law proposing mandatory removal of 'slanderous' media content was introduced in May 2025 but had not been enacted as of mid-2026.

Framework: Law of the Republic of Armenia 'On Cybersecurity' (entered into force 4 January 2026), administered by the Ministry of High-Tech Industry and a newly mandated Information Systems Regulatory Authority; Government CERT operates under the Information Systems Agency of Armenia (ISAA)

Armenia enacted a comprehensive cybersecurity law that came into force on 4 January 2026, establishing a unified national cybersecurity policy covering both state bodies and private critical-infrastructure operators across 14 designated sectors. The law mandates risk management, minimum security standards (ISO 27001 or equivalent), and a 72-hour incident-reporting obligation for serious cyber incidents to the Authorised Body. An autonomous Information Systems Regulatory Authority is to be constituted by the National Assembly, and approximately 30 secondary regulatory acts are still required for full implementation.

Framework: Law of the Republic of Armenia on State Registration of Legal Entities, administered by the State Register Agency of Legal Entities under the Ministry of Justice; electronic portal: e-register.am

Armenia permits 100% foreign ownership across virtually all sectors with no minimum capital requirement for the most common form (LLC) and zero government registration fees. An LLC can be registered fully online via the official e-register.am portal in as little as one business day, making Armenia one of the most accessible jurisdictions in the region for foreign entrepreneurs. The U.S., Armenia Bilateral Investment Treaty (in force since 1996) provides additional legal protections for U.S. investors.