Tourists in the UAE can now reclaim Value Added Tax (VAT) on eligible purchases through 19,340 stores, 100 self-service kiosks, and select orders placed on the Noon online platform.

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) announced that the number of retail outlets linked to the "Digital Tax Refund System for Tourists" reached approximately 19,340 by the end of June 2026, representing a 5.9% annual growth compared to 18,260 stores during the same period last year.

The system enables tourists to receive digital invoices, submit refund requests electronically, and complete the final procedures at kiosks located at exit points, various shopping malls, and hotels before departing the country.

The Noon platform has joined the initiative in partnership with Planet, the system's authorized operator. This allows tourists to register tax refund requests for eligible online purchases made during their stay in the UAE. The FTA intends to integrate more e-commerce stores and platforms into the system in the future.

During the first half of 2026, an additional 449 stores joined the scheme. The total number of stores added over the past two and a half years has reached 2,983 units.

The number of self-service refund kiosks increased to 100 by the end of June, up from 93 a year earlier. These kiosks are strategically located at airports and other exit points, as well as several hotels and shopping malls across the UAE.

A new version of the Planet app was released in 2026, supporting 12 languages, including English. According to FTA data, tourists from India, Russia, Turkey, China, and the United States were the most frequent users of tax refund services this year.