2026 will be one of the most intense periods for regulatory changes in the UAE in recent years. Federal and local regulators have approved a wide package of reforms affecting tax administration, media, construction, engineering services, environmental regulation and government activities.
Significant changes are aimed at increasing transparency, harmonizing procedures and strengthening compliance with the law. These changes focus on changes to tax regulations (VAT, excise taxes and tax procedures), the transition to a national electronic invoicing system, the introduction of new requirements for businesses in the contracting and engineering consulting sectors and stricter environmental standards.
International legal innovations deserve special attention, including the entry into force of a new agreement between the UAE and Russia on the avoidance of double taxation, which expands the scope of tax coordination and information exchange.
This overview systematizes the key regulations coming into force in 2026. This information is intended for legal teams, financial directors, c...