The number of stores linked to the tax refund system for tourists will increase by the end of 2025
Abu Dhabi, 29 January / WAM / The Federal Tax Authority confirmed that the digital system for tax refunds for tourists has witnessed a significant expansion in the customer base throughout the country, with the number of retail stores (sales outlets) registered with the authority that are electronically linked to the system increasing by 7.6% to about 19 thousand stores by the end of last year compared to 17.6 thousand stores by the end of 2024.
The authority explained in a press release today that the number of sales outlets that were linked to the system during the year 2025 reached 1,326 commercial outlets, compared to 1,208 outlets that were linked to the system during 2024, with an increase of 9.8% in the number of outlets that joined the system annually.
She pointed out that the number of self-service devices to refund value-added tax for tourists increased during the year 2025 by 7.3% to 103 devices at the end of last year compared to 96 devices at the end of 2024, while 23 new devices were added during the past two years, including 15 devices added in 2024 and 8 devices in 2025, as these devices are spread in many major commercial centers “malls” and hotels, in addition to being available in outlets. Tourists leaving the country.
His Excellency Khaled Ali Al Bustani, Director General of the Federal Tax Authority, said that the authority’s continuous follow-ups show that the digital system for tax refunds for tourists enjoys high satisfaction rates and praise from tourists who use the system, due to the ease of dealing through it and the speed of tax refund procedures for tourists who are eligible for a refund.
He added: The continued expansion of the system’s customer base is in line with the digital government strategy, which aims to transform all government services into a smart manner, and to focus on proactive services that aim to provide an innovative model that reflects the leadership and excellence of the government work system in the UAE by providing services that meet the aspirations of customers, to complete their transactions with ease, ease, and speed.
He explained that the digital system for refunding tax to tourists for their purchases via e-commerce, which the authority launched during the recent period, is the first of its kind in the world. It is witnessing significant demand as it provides a distinctive experience for customers, and allows tourists to recover the refundable paid tax on all their purchases during their stay in the UAE. Whether he purchases from traditional stores or from electronic platforms registered with the Authority, tax refund procedures are processed simply and quickly from the purchase process until the tax refund is completed when the tourist leaves the country, which contributes to enhancing tourism prosperity and developing Emirati electronic and traditional commerce.
The Federal Tax Authority indicated that there are five countries whose citizens issued a list of beneficiaries of the tax refund service for tourists during the past two years. It included India, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Iran, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Authority confirmed that it continued the development and improvement process for the value-added tax refund service for tourists, and 7 new additional languages were introduced to deal with the self-service machines for tax refunds for tourists, including French, Spanish, Turkish, German, Persian, Portuguese, and Hindi, and all refund methods were displayed, so that refund methods available by location only appear in color, while unavailable methods appear in grey. Tourists can also register in Planet’s application before making the first purchase, and even before arriving in the UAE. Tourists can check their eligibility for the VAT refund system directly from the control panel page upon their arrival in the UAE.
The authority added that a large-scale branding campaign was also implemented at Zayed International Airport. Messages reminding tourists of the need to visit Planet’s check-in desks before completing baggage check-in procedures will be displayed on large screens in the departure hall above gates, on bridges and next to escalators, in addition to promoting Planet’s mobile phone application through a QR code in a clear way that anyone can scan to download the application.
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