The UAE and wider Gulf noticed every week of main coverage shifts, market milestones and regulatory updates shaping 2026 and past.
Dubai’s record-breaking actual property efficiency, new UAE tax and VAT guidelines, and the primary public vacation of 2026 dominated nationwide headlines. Throughout the area, Oman accelerated long-term residency funding, Qatar expanded visa entry for GCC residents, and Saudi Arabia authorized a SR1.31tn funds.
Meet up with 10 of the most important tales this week, as chosen by Arabian Enterprise editors.
First UAE vacation of 2026 dates revealed
UAE residents and residents loved the ultimate public vacation of the 12 months this week, with an extended weekend to commemorate Eid Al Etihad 2025.
Following the ultimate public vacation of the 12 months, employees don’t have lengthy to attend till the primary break of subsequent 12 months – with the subsequent break simply weeks away.
New 12 months’s Day is an official vacation within the UAE, that means there’s lower than a month to attend earlier than the subsequent break for the private and non-private sector.
UAE points main tax rule change from January 1, 2026
The UAE has launched vital updates to its tax procedures framework with the issuance of Federal Decree-Legislation No. (17) of 2025, amending key provisions of Federal Decree-Legislation No. (28) of 2022 on Tax Procedures.
The Ministry of Finance confirmed that the brand new legislation will take impact on January 1, 2026. The amendments enhance effectivity, improve readability for taxpayers, and strengthen transparency, equity and monetary self-discipline throughout the UAE’s tax system.
A central element of the amendments is an outlined interval—not exceeding 5 years from the top of the related tax interval—for taxpayers to request a refund of a credit score stability from the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) or apply that stability towards excellent tax liabilities.
UAE broadcasts new VAT guidelines efficient January 1, 2026
The UAE has issued new modifications Worth Added Tax (VAT) guidelines, introducing measures that tighten governance, streamline procedures and improve compliance.
The revised guidelines—efficient January 1, 2026—goal to enhance administrative effectivity and hold the tax system aligned with worldwide requirements. The Ministry of Finance has introduced the issuance of Federal Decree-Legislation No. (16) of 2025, amending sure provisions of Federal Decree-Legislation No. (8) of 2017 on Worth Added Tax. The amended legislation will take impact from January 1, 2026.
In keeping with the Ministry, the modifications type a part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to develop its tax system and improve regulatory and administrative effectivity. The amendments goal to simplify tax procedures for taxpayers whereas guaranteeing transparency and compliance with worldwide requirements.
UAE petrol costs improve in December 2025
The UAE has introduced cuts to petrol and diesel costs for December 2025.
Petrol costs elevated for all classes, following vital deductions within the earlier month.
It’s now barely costlier to replenish a tank than 12 months in the past, with E-Plus 91, 95 and 98 changing into much less reasonably priced than they have been 12 months in the past. Diesel stays barely cheaper than this time final 12 months.
Abu Dhabi overhauls engineering requirements with new four-tier skilled grading system
Abu Dhabi has unveiled a serious replace to its skilled engineering framework, introducing a brand new four-tier grading construction designed to strengthen competency, streamline profession development, and align requirements with international greatest observe.
The modifications have been introduced by the Division of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) as a part of administrative resolution 113/2025.
The revised framework replaces the earlier three-grade construction with 4 distinct classes:
- Intern Engineer
- Practitioner Engineer
- Skilled Engineer
- Knowledgeable Engineer
Dubai actual property units new annual report as 2025 gross sales hit AED624.1bn
Dubai’s actual property market prolonged its report run in 2025, with November pushing each gross sales volumes and values past final 12 months’s full-year peaks, in accordance with new knowledge from fäm Properties.
The agency’s newest market report reveals that final month generated 19,019 transactions, a 30.9 per cent year-on-year rise, taking complete offers for the 12 months to 197,263. This surpasses the earlier annual excessive of 180,900 set in 2024, with one month nonetheless to go.
Gross sales worth has additionally continued to climb. After 2024’s report AED522.1bn was overtaken in October, an extra AED64.7bn value of transactions in November lifted the 2025 complete to AED624.1bn, up 49.6 per cent 12 months on 12 months.
Oman’s new 10-year residency scheme attracts rising investor curiosity
Oman’s just lately launched 10-year Golden Residency programme is attracting rising curiosity from international traders, entrepreneurs and internationally cellular households, three months after its rollout.
Positioned underneath Oman Imaginative and prescient 2040, the initiative is designed to supply long-term stability, clear regulation and a safe base for funding in one of many area’s extra politically impartial and economically regular markets.
The residency scheme grants long-term standing to eligible candidates in return for a minimal funding of US$520,000. Traders can qualify via seven routes, together with buying accomplished actual property in Built-in Tourism Complexes, establishing a registered firm in Oman, shopping for authorities growth bonds, investing in listed securities on the Muscat Inventory Trade or putting a five-year fixed-term deposit in a licensed Omani financial institution.
Saudi Arabia approves 2026 funds: $349.2bn spending, $305.9bn income
Saudi Arabia has authorized the state’s normal funds for the fiscal 12 months 1447/1448 AH (2026 AD), outlining SR1.31tn ($349.2bn) in expenditure and a projected deficit because the Kingdom continues to advance financial and growth programmes underneath Saudi Imaginative and prescient 2030.
The choice was made throughout a Cupboard session chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Council of Financial and Growth Affairs, held in Dammam on 2 December 2025. The Cupboard reviewed the total gadgets of the overall funds earlier than issuing its resolution.
- The authorized state normal expenditures quantity to SR1,312,800,000,000 ($349.2bn)
- The state’s normal revenues are estimated at SR1,147,400,000,000 ($305.9bn)
- The deficit is estimated at SR165,400,000,000 ($44bn)
Qatar unveils main Hayya visa replace for GCC residents with longer stays
Qatar has launched new updates to its Hayya GCC Resident Visa (A2), increasing keep durations and bettering journey flexibility for regional guests forward of a serious 12 months of sporting, cultural, and leisure occasions.
The enhancements, introduced by Qatar Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Inside and the Everlasting Committee for Managing Customer Entry, are designed to create a smoother and extra handy arrival expertise. Underneath the brand new guidelines taking impact on November 30, 2025, GCC residents will be capable of keep in Qatar for as much as two months and luxuriate in multiple-entry entry.
The modifications are meant to make it simpler for guests to attend a full season of occasions and transfer in and in a foreign country via all factors of arrival.
Dubai actual property gross sales cross $17.5bn in November – best-performing areas and tasks revealed
The Dubai actual property market recorded one in all its strongest months on report in November 2025, with gross sales quantity and worth rising sharply throughout flats, villas, plots and industrial belongings.
The newest knowledge from the Dubai Land Division (DLD) displays strengthened investor confidence, sustained demand and continued momentum heading into 2026.
A complete of 19,016 transactions have been recorded in November, with a mixed worth of AED 64.7bn ($17.63bn) — marking a 30.9 per cent improve in quantity and a 49.5 per cent rise in worth in contrast with November 2024. The typical value per sq. foot reached AED 1,755 ($479).
