1. Friday prayer time modifications and shorter college days

2. Etihad Rail passenger companies to launch

Etihad Rail is making ready to launch passenger companies in 2026, introducing a nationwide railway community connecting 11 cities from Al Sila to Fujairah.

3. Air taxis set to take off in Dubai

The plane will carry 4 passengers and a pilot, journey at speeds exceeding 300km/h, and canopy distances of greater than 200 kilometres, doubtlessly slicing inter-emirate journey occasions to below half-hour. The primary vertiport is below building at Dubai Worldwide Airport, with extra deliberate close to Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Mall.

4. Banks to part out SMS one-time passwords

5. Nationwide ban on single-use plastics

Dubai Municipality has additionally applied the ultimate part of its personal plastic ban, increasing restrictions on merchandise already prohibited throughout 2025, together with polystyrene containers, plastic cotton buds, desk covers and straws.

6. New VAT and sugary drinks tax guidelines

Amendments to the UAE’s VAT regulation got here into impact on January 1, 2026, simplifying compliance for companies. One key change removes the requirement for self-invoicing below the reverse cost mechanism, supplied normal transaction data are maintained.

Individually, the UAE launched up to date excise tax guidelines for sugar-sweetened drinks. The system now makes use of tiered tax charges primarily based on sugar content material, changing the earlier flat 50 per cent tax. Drinks with increased sugar ranges will face increased taxes, encouraging more healthy client selections and reformulation by producers.

7. Unified GCC vacationer visa anticipated

A single GCC vacationer visa is anticipated to launch in 2026, permitting guests to journey throughout all six Gulf international locations utilizing one allow. The visa will cowl the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, and is designed to spice up tourism and regional journey.

8. ‘Yr of Household’ declared within the UAE

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared 2026 the Yr of Household, highlighting the household as the inspiration of UAE society. The initiative focuses on strengthening household values, preserving cultural id and supporting future generations by means of family-centred insurance policies and programmes.

9. Advertiser licence required for content material creators

The allow applies to anybody selling or reviewing services or products on social media, even when unpaid. It’s legitimate for one 12 months, renewable, and will likely be free for the primary three years as a assist measure.

10. Main federal regulation reforms introduced

A number of new federal legal guidelines have been introduced and can come into pressure after publication within the Official Gazette.

A brand new little one digital security regulation introduces strict necessities for on-line platforms, together with age verification, privateness protections, content material filtering and bans on kids accessing on-line gambling-related video games.

11. Paid parking launched in additional Dubai communities

Paid parking will likely be launched in Dubai Worldwide Metropolis from February 1, 2026, with costs making use of from 8am to midnight and free parking on Sundays and public holidays.

In the meantime, Discovery Gardens will introduce regulated parking from January 15, 2026. Residents with out current parking amenities will obtain one complimentary allow per unit, whereas extra autos would require a paid subscription.

1. Friday prayer time adjustments and shorter faculty days

2. Etihad Rail passenger companies to launch

Etihad Rail is getting ready to launch passenger companies in 2026, introducing a nationwide railway community connecting 11 cities from Al Sila to Fujairah.

3. Air taxis set to take off in Dubai

The plane will carry 4 passengers and a pilot, journey at speeds exceeding 300km/h, and canopy distances of greater than 200 kilometres, probably slicing inter-emirate journey occasions to underneath half-hour. The primary vertiport is underneath building at Dubai Worldwide Airport, with extra deliberate close to Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Mall.

4. Banks to section out SMS one-time passwords

5. Nationwide ban on single-use plastics

Dubai Municipality has additionally carried out the ultimate section of its personal plastic ban, increasing restrictions on merchandise already prohibited throughout 2025, together with polystyrene containers, plastic cotton buds, desk covers and straws.

6. New VAT and sugary drinks tax guidelines

Amendments to the UAE’s VAT regulation got here into impact on January 1, 2026, simplifying compliance for companies. One key change removes the requirement for self-invoicing underneath the reverse cost mechanism, supplied normal transaction data are maintained.

Individually, the UAE launched up to date excise tax guidelines for sugar-sweetened drinks. The system now makes use of tiered tax charges based mostly on sugar content material, changing the earlier flat 50 per cent tax. Drinks with larger sugar ranges will face larger taxes, encouraging more healthy shopper decisions and reformulation by producers.

7. Unified GCC vacationer visa anticipated

A single GCC vacationer visa is anticipated to launch in 2026, permitting guests to journey throughout all six Gulf international locations utilizing one allow. The visa will cowl the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, and is designed to spice up tourism and regional journey.

8. ‘12 months of Household’ declared within the UAE

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared 2026 the 12 months of Household, highlighting the household as the muse of UAE society. The initiative focuses on strengthening household values, preserving cultural identification and supporting future generations by way of family-centred insurance policies and programmes.

9. Advertiser licence required for content material creators

The allow applies to anybody selling or reviewing services or products on social media, even when unpaid. It’s legitimate for one 12 months, renewable, and will likely be free for the primary three years as a assist measure.

10. Main federal regulation reforms introduced

A number of new federal legal guidelines have been introduced and can come into pressure after publication within the Official Gazette.

A brand new baby digital security regulation introduces strict necessities for on-line platforms, together with age verification, privateness protections, content material filtering and bans on youngsters accessing on-line gambling-related video games.

11. Paid parking launched in additional Dubai communities

Paid parking will likely be launched in Dubai Worldwide Metropolis from February 1, 2026, with fees making use of from 8am to midnight and free parking on Sundays and public holidays.

In the meantime, Discovery Gardens will introduce regulated parking from January 15, 2026. Residents with out present parking amenities will obtain one complimentary allow per unit, whereas further automobiles would require a paid subscription.