Everything you need to know about Dubai tourist taxes

Are you budgeting enough for your trip to Dubai?

Whilst Dubai is well-known as a tax-free earnings haven for many of its international expatriate workers, make no mistake there are many other taxes along the way!

In this tourist tax guide, we talk you through what sort of taxes you can expect to pay as a visitor to the UAE, how the 5% VAT introduced in 2018 works and refunds available to tourists.

You can read our complete guide to Dubai money matters here

Dubai Hotel Taxes

When you are booking a hotel online for Dubai it is VERY likely you are being quoted the gross price for just the hotel room, NOT the taxes, which are payable directly to the hotel.

These taxes on Dubai hotels have changed significantly over the years, but as at 2023, you can expect to pay:

• VAT 5%
• Municipality fee 7%
• Property service charge 10%
• “Tourism Dirham Fee” per room, per night 7 – 20 AED (varies depending on the grade of hotel, also called Hotel Tax or City Tax)

Learn more about the best places to stay in Dubai here! 

The hotel tax system down the road in Abu Dhabi is slightly different. If you would like to learn more about local tourism taxes in Abu Dhabi, pop over to this guide.

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Dining Taxes in Dubai

When you are dining in a hotel restaurant or ordering room service, you can also expect the following charges to be added to your dining bill:

• Service Charge
• Municipality fee
• VAT 5%

In restaurants not attached to a hotel, you should expect to only pay 5% VAT.

You are not required as a restaurant customer to leave a tip in the UAE. Many will either round up or add 10-15% if they are happy with the service.

In a food court fast food outlet in Dubai, you should expect to pay:

• Only the 5% VAT. This should be included in your advertised price.

Purchasing food in a supermarket

• All supermarket food is subject to the 5% VAT; there are no zero-rated food items. The price on the shelf already includes VAT.

Learn more about the best places to dine in Dubai here

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What about alcohol in Dubai? Is it taxed?

As you might know, alcohol IS available for non-Muslims in Dubai from licensed outlets.

It comes at a cost, though, as “excise tax” (AKA Sin Tax) is added for the pleasure. You won’t see it as this excess is added at the importation stage of the sale process. As a consumer, you will only see a separate line item for the VAT, and any hotel service charges.

PLEASE NOTE: For a trial period 1 January to 31 December 2023 the excise tax on alcohol has been removed, so drink prices in Dubai emirate should become cheaper.

If you have a liquor license for home consumption (now also available for tourists), the final 30% tax at the retail stores will be removed in 2023 (albeit how much of the 30% cut will be passed on to consumers is yet to be seen).

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Other taxes and excises in Dubai

So as you’re starting to see, there are no income taxes but plenty of indirect taxes to be wary of!

Again, you will not notice excise as a consumer as they are paid by the importing wholesaler, but items such as carbonated drinks, energy drinks, sweetened drinks, tobacco and tobacco products also incur between 50-100% excise.

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Dubai Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme

When VAT was first introduced in 2018, tourists still had to pay the full amount of VAT.

Since 18 November 2018, tourists only temporarily in the UAE can now apply for a VAT refund, operated by Planet, on behalf of the Federal Tax Authority. There are, of course, conditions:

• Goods must be purchased from a retailer who is participating in the ‘Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme’.
• Goods are not excluded from the Refund Scheme of the Federal Tax Authority.
• You must have the explicit intention to leave the UAE in 90 days from the date of supply, along with the purchased supplies.
• You must export the purchased goods out of the UAE within three months from the date of supply.
• The process of purchase and export of goods must be carried out according to the requirements and procedures determined by the Federal Tax Authority.
• Minimum spend 250 AED.

You can learn more about the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme on the Planet website.

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