Dubai is one of the world’s leading shopping hubs, and a pleasant bonus for tourists is that part of the money spent on purchases can be reclaimed. The UAE has a 5% value added tax (VAT), and tourists are entitled to reclaim it through the Tax Free system. Let us go step by step through how this works in 2026 and how not to miss out on the refund.
What Tax Free Is and How Much You Get Back
Since 2018 the UAE has had 5% VAT, built into the price of most goods. Tourists (non-residents of the UAE) can reclaim this tax on purchases they take out of the country. The system operator is the company Planet — it is their desks and terminals you will see in stores and at the airport.
An important nuance: you do not get back the full 5%, but about 85% of the tax amount — the rest is retained as a service fee. So on a purchase of 1,000 AED (which includes 5% VAT ≈ 47.6 AED) you will get back roughly 40 AED.
Conditions for a Refund
To arrange Tax Free, the following conditions must be met:
- you are a tourist, not a resident of the UAE;
- the purchase is made in a store that participates in the system (the Tax Free logo on the window or till);
- the minimum amount for a single purchase is 250 AED;
- the goods are taken out of the country within the set time limit;
- the refund is arranged at the airport on departure.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. In the store. When you pay, say that you want to arrange Tax Free and show your passport. The cashier will issue an electronic Tax Free receipt linked to your passport and stick a special tag onto your purchase receipt. Keep your receipts.
Step 2. At the airport before departure. Arrive early. In the DXB departures area find the Planet self-service terminals or a desk. Scan your passport and Tax Free receipts — the system will validate your purchases.
If the purchased goods are in your checked luggage, you need to validate Tax Free before checking in your bags. Staff may sometimes ask to see the goods, so keep them accessible.
Step 3. Receive the refund. After validation, choose the refund method:
- to a bank card (the credit arrives within a few days);
- in cash at a special desk (usually with a small additional fee and a limit).
What to Keep in Mind
- The refund is available at DXB and DWC airports, as well as at some land border exit points.
- You need to validate Tax Free within the set time limit after the purchase (usually up to 90 days) and before you actually depart.
- Some categories of goods are not eligible for a refund (for example, anything already used or consumed in the country).
- It is best to pay for purchases with a foreign bank card — for which cards work, read the guide to money and currency in Dubai.
Where It Pays to Shop
Most large stores and shopping malls take part in the Tax Free system — these include Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and others. The best places and sale periods (for example, the Dubai Shopping Festival) are collected in the guide to shopping in Dubai. Factor your purchases and any refund into the overall trip budget.
Reclaiming the 5% VAT is a pleasant bonus that is easy to forget in the rush. Ask for a Tax Free receipt at the till with your passport, then at the airport before departure validate your purchases at a Planet terminal and choose a refund to your card or in cash. On large purchases — electronics, designer clothes, gold — the saving works out noticeable, so allow a couple of extra minutes at the airport and do not miss out on it.
