The Federal Tax Authority has announced a significant increase in the digital tax refund system for tourists across the nation, with the number of retail outlets registered with the authority and linked to the system rising by 7.6% to nearly 19,000 stores by the end of the previous year compared to 17,600 stores at the conclusion of 2024.
The authority noted that in 2025, 1,326 retail outlets connected to the system, an increase from 1,208 outlets in 2024, marking a yearly growth rate of 9.8% in participating outlets.
Additionally, the number of self-service kiosks for VAT refunds for tourists increased by 7.3% in 2025, reaching 103 kiosks by the end of last year, up from 96 at the end of 2024. Over the past two years, 23 new kiosks were added, with 15 introduced in 2024 and 8 added in 2025. These kiosks are located in several major shopping centers and hotels, as well as at tourist departure points.
According to Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director General of the Federal Tax Authority, ongoing assessments indicate a high level of satisfaction among tourists using the digital tax refund system due to its simplicity and the efficiency of tax refund processes for eligible tourists.
He added that the continuous expansion of the system’s user base aligns with the government’s digital strategy, which aims for a smart transformation of all governmental services, focusing on proactive services that offer an innovative model reflecting the excellence of the UAE’s government services by providing experiences that meet customer expectations for smooth and rapid transaction completion.
The authority explained that the recently launched digital tax refund system for tourists on e-commerce purchases, a worldwide first, is witnessing notable demand as it provides a unique experience for users, allowing tourists to reclaim recoverable tax on all purchases made during their stay in the UAE, whether from traditional stores or registered online platforms. The tax refund process is streamlined and efficient from the point of purchase to the refund completion upon the tourist’s departure from the country, contributing to the growth of tourism and both e-commerce and traditional retail in the UAE.
The authority has also continued enhancing the VAT refund service for tourists by adding seven new languages to the self-service kiosks, including French, Spanish, Turkish, German, Persian, Portuguese, and Hindi. Additionally, available refund methods are now displayed by location in color, with unavailable options in gray. Tourists can register on the Planet app prior to making their first purchase, even before arriving in the UAE, and check their eligibility for the VAT refund system directly from their dashboard upon arrival.
Furthermore, a comprehensive branding campaign has been implemented at Zayed International Airport, featuring reminders for tourists to visit Planet’s verification offices before completing luggage registration. These reminders are displayed on large screens in the departure hall above the gates, on bridges, and next to escalators, along with promotions for the Planet mobile app through a scannable QR code for easy download.