United Arab Emirates ยท ุงูุฅู ุงุฑุงุช ุงูุนุฑุจูุฉ ุงูู ุชุญุฏุฉ
UAE Construction & Trades Software Directory
Independent reviews of 24 UAE-relevant vendors and official bodies across Dubai and Abu Dhabi: project and BIM platforms (Oracle Aconex, Autodesk, Procore), ERP and accounting software (Focus Softnet, First Bit, PACT, Sage, Zoho Books), field-service and CAFM tools, contractor insurers and project intelligence, with the local compliance context: Dubai Municipalityโs Contractors Register, 5% VAT through the FTA, Peppol e-invoicing mandatory in phases from January 2027, Emiratisation, Abu Dhabiโs Estidama Pearl rating and Dubaiโs BIM requirement.
Deciding between two options?
See UAE vendors compared side by side: verdict, pros and cons, UAE-specific notes, and pricing, head to head.
Whatโs different about choosing software in the UAE
Several UAE rules shape what your software has to handle. VAT is 5%, administered by the Federal Tax Authority since 1 January 2018: registration is mandatory once taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 over 12 months, and returns and payments are due through EmaraTax within 28 days of the end of each tax period, so set your invoicing up for UAE VAT at 5%. E-invoicing runs on a decentralised Peppol model through Accredited Service Providers: under Ministerial Decision No. 244 of 2025, as amended by Ministerial Resolution No. 66 of 2026, businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more must appoint one by 30 October 2026 and implement e-invoicing by 1 January 2027, and smaller businesses by 31 March 2027 and 1 July 2027. E-invoice-capable software is not enough on its own; you need a contract with a provider on the Ministry of Finance list. Emiratisation targets from MOHRE apply to companies with 50 or more employees, and to companies with 20-49 employees in 14 sectors, with a financial contribution for each missed position; MOHRE points employers to the Nafis platform to find Emirati candidates. Rules also differ by emirate: Dubai work needs entry in Dubai Municipalityโs Contractors Register under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025, while Abu Dhabi runs DMT classification and building permits, which require at least one Estidama Pearl (two for government-funded projects). Dubai Municipality also announced that from 1 January 2024 it would accept planning applications above set size thresholds, and for hospitals, universities and all government projects, only with a BIM model (as reported by Global Construction Review).
Construction & trades software
Document control and scheduling from Oracle (Aconex, Primavera P6), BIM and construction platforms from Autodesk (now sold as Autodesk Forma) and Bentley, project management from Procore and site inspections from PlanRadar; ERP and finance systems (Focus Softnet, First Bit, PACT, Sage); Zohoโs accounting, project and field-service apps; and CAFM and field-service tools (Horizon FMS, FSM Grid). Focus Softnet, PACT and Zoho are on the Ministry of Finance list of accredited e-invoicing service providers (list checked 30 September 2026).
Oracle Aconex
Tier A ยท ListedOracle's cloud document control and project collaboration platform
Oracle Aconex is a cloud platform where every party on a project shares documents, formal correspondence (Mail) and review workflows in one auditable record; Oracle announced its purchase of Aconex in December 2017. Oracle's Aconex status page lists a Middle East (MEA) instance and a separate Saudi Arabia (KSA1) instance. Construction Week reported in March 2017 that Aconex had signed a five-year deal with Dubai Airports.
UAE-specific note
Aconex suits main contractors, consultants and clients who need one shared record of documents and correspondence across many companies. It does not keep VAT records or issue tax invoices, so pair it with a VAT-ready accounting system.
Pros
- + Documents, Mail and approval workflows in one shared project record
- + Middle East (MEA) and Saudi (KSA1) instances listed by Oracle
- + Oracle Aconex Mobile app for site teams
- + Still developed: Oracle announced new Aconex capabilities in April 2026
Cons
- โ No public prices: quote from Oracle
- โ Built for multi-party projects, more than a small contractor needs
- โ Not an accounting or VAT tool
- โ Support Central help is not offered in Arabic
Oracle Primavera P6
Tier A ยท ListedOracle's critical-path scheduling and project portfolio software
Primavera P6 is Oracle's project scheduling line: P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio Management (EPPM), which Oracle offers on-premises or in the cloud, and the desktop P6 Professional. Oracle's documentation describes P6 Professional as designed for large-scale, multifaceted projects, with unlimited resources and target plans. Both products are documented up to version 26.
UAE-specific note
If a client contract specifies the programme format or scheduling software, confirm the requirement before you buy. P6 handles scheduling only, so VAT records and invoicing stay in your accounting system.
Pros
- + Critical-path scheduling with unlimited resources and target plans (per Oracle)
- + Portfolio and multi-project planning in P6 EPPM
- + P6 EPPM runs on-premises or in Oracle's cloud
- + Current release (version 26) documented on docs.oracle.com
Cons
- โ No public prices: quote from Oracle or a partner
- โ Built for professional planners; a learning curve for occasional users
- โ More than a small firm's job schedule needs
- โ Scheduling only: no accounting or VAT
Autodesk Forma (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud)
Tier A ยท ListedAutodesk's construction platform, now sold as Autodesk Forma
Autodesk moved Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) into its Autodesk Forma brand on 24 March 2026 and renamed the products, for example Forma Build, Forma Data Management, Forma Takeoff and Forma Estimate. Autodesk sells them in three quote-based bundles, Model Management, Preconstruction and Construction Operations, which also include Navisworks Manage, BuildingConnected Pro, ProEst and Pype tools.
UAE-specific note
Global Construction Review reported in November 2023 that from 1 January 2024 Dubai Municipality would accept permit applications only with BIM models for buildings above 20 floors (architectural models) or 40 floors (structural), large complexes, specialised buildings such as hospitals and universities, and all government projects, following the Dubai BIM standard. The mandate names no software, so Autodesk Forma is one option among several BIM tools.
Pros
- + Model coordination, design collaboration and document management in one account
- + Bundles run from takeoff, estimating and bidding to field operations and closeout
- + User-, project- and account-based pricing options (per Autodesk)
- + 30-day money-back guarantee stated on the pricing page
Cons
- โ No public prices for the construction bundles: quote-based
- โ Product names changed in March 2026, so older guides use ACC names
- โ Not an accounting or VAT tool
- โ BIM depth is more than simple jobs need
Procore
Tier A ยท ListedConstruction project management, quality, safety and financials
Procore Technologies (NYSE: PCOR) opened its first MENA office in Dubai Internet City in September 2022 and runs a UAE site with a Dubai phone line. Its UAE site lists project management, quality and safety, financial management and Procore AI on one platform. Every contract includes unlimited users and data storage, per Procore.
UAE-specific note
Procore's financial tools cover budgets, forecasts, change orders and payment applications, not UAE VAT accounting, so keep a VAT-ready accounting system alongside it. Procore lists connectors for accounting tools such as Xero and Sage 50 Accounts Cloud.
Pros
- + Unlimited users and data storage in every contract (per Procore)
- + Project management, quality and safety, and financial tools on one platform
- + 500+ integrations, including Xero and Sage 50 Accounts Cloud (per Procore)
- + Dubai office and a UAE phone line
Cons
- โ No public prices: annual fee per product based on turnover
- โ UAE site is English only, with no Arabic option
- โ Not an accounting system: UAE VAT returns stay elsewhere
- โ A full rollout across projects and subcontractors takes planning
Bentley Systems
Tier S ยท Published pricesInfrastructure design, project delivery and 4D construction software
Bentley Systems makes infrastructure engineering software, including ProjectWise for project delivery, SYNCHRO 4D for construction planning, OpenRoads Designer for roads and MicroStation for CAD, and has an office in City Tower 2 on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. It publishes USD prices for 12-month Virtuoso subscriptions on its website, with enterprise licensing by quote. Buyers of its ProjectWise bundle can choose the UAE as their data storage location.
UAE-specific note
Most relevant for infrastructure and civil packages such as roads, utilities and large civil works rather than standard building fit-out. Buyers of the ProjectWise bundle can pick the UAE as their data storage location.
Pros
- + Published online prices for single licences (USD, 12-month subscriptions)
- + ProjectWise bundle data can be stored in the UAE
- + 4D construction planning in SYNCHRO 4D
- + Dubai office on Sheikh Zayed Road
Cons
- โ High per-seat prices for design tools (OpenRoads Designer from $7,226 a year)
- โ Built for infrastructure and civil work more than building fit-out
- โ Specialist engineering tools with a learning curve
- โ Enterprise terms and bundles beyond the list are by quote
PlanRadar
Tier S ยท Published pricesSite inspections, snagging, defects and site documentation
PlanRadar, founded in Vienna in 2013, is a site documentation, inspection and defect-management app with a Dubai office in Boulevard Plaza Tower 1, Downtown. PlanRadar says it has more than 200,000 users in 75+ countries, and its Arabic-language UAE page names customers including Shapoorji Pallonji, Amana Steel Buildings and National Central Cooling Company. It publishes per-user prices, and subcontractors join free on every plan.
UAE-specific note
PlanRadar runs an Arabic-language UAE site and a Dubai office. It suits contractors who want digital snagging, inspections and handover records without an enterprise rollout; VAT invoicing stays in your accounting system.
Pros
- + Published per-user prices and a 30-day free trial with no credit card
- + Unlimited subcontractors free on every plan
- + Arabic-language UAE website and pricing page
- + Dubai office in Downtown
Cons
- โ Site execution only, not scheduling or accounting
- โ Starter and Pro are capped at 10 users; more needs Enterprise
- โ 4% innovation fee on the annual fee from the second billing period
- โ Prices shown in USD, EUR, GBP or AUD, not AED
First Bit ERP
Tier A ยท ListedConstruction ERP for UAE contractors: costing, procurement, accounting and payroll
First Bit sells a construction ERP that it says is built exclusively for UAE contractors, covering project cost control, procurement, accounting, VAT and corporate tax, HR and payroll, equipment and warehouse. The company was founded in Moscow in 1997, says it has been in the UAE for 13 years with a separate UAE legal entity since 2022, and has an office in Falcon House, Dubai Investment Park. First Bit says more than 2,000 UAE companies have chosen it.
UAE-specific note
First Bit describes the software as FTA-approved for VAT and says it covers corporate tax and supports UAE e-invoicing integration as the rules roll out. The FTA publishes a list of accredited tax accounting software with a validity date for each product, so check First Bit's current entry there before relying on the approval. First Bit is not on the Ministry of Finance list of accredited e-invoicing service providers (checked 30 September 2026), so UAE e-invoices would go through a separate accredited provider.
Pros
- + Built for contracting: project cost control, procurement and equipment
- + VAT returns and corporate tax calculation built in (per First Bit)
- + Arabic-English bilingual reporting (per First Bit)
- + Cloud or on-premises, with implementation, training and support in the subscription
Cons
- โ No public prices: quote based on users, deployment and scope
- โ Phased ERP implementation takes time
- โ More system than a small trade firm needs
Focus Softnet
Tier A ยท ListedERP suite with project costing, contract management and CAFM
Focus Softnet, established in 1992, sells the Focus X cloud ERP and related products including CRM, HCM, warehouse, POS and Focus CAFM, and says it operates from 27 offices in 17 countries. Its UAE site lists a head office in Dubai Internet City plus offices in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Focus Softnet is on the Ministry of Finance list of accredited e-invoicing service providers (accreditation number 134577).
UAE-specific note
Focus Softnet appears on the UAE Ministry of Finance list of accredited e-invoicing service providers (number 134577, list updated 30 September 2026), and says its e-invoicing product is OpenPeppol certified for the PINT-AE format. Compare its project costing depth with construction-specific ERPs before choosing.
Pros
- + Ministry of Finance accredited e-invoicing service provider
- + Project costing, contract management and equipment servicing modules
- + Focus CAFM for facility work orders and maintenance
- + Offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah
Cons
- โ No public prices: demo and quote only
- โ A general ERP with construction modules, not a construction-only product
- โ Broad suite, more than small firms need
- โ ERP implementation effort
PACT ERP
Tier A ยท ListedModular ERP with contracting, procurement and WPS payroll
PACT Software, which says it has provided ERP since 1998, sells a modular ERP covering finance, procurement, inventory, projects and HR and payroll, with a construction and contracting solution, and has an office in SIT Tower, Dubai Silicon Oasis. PACT Software Services LLC is on the Ministry of Finance list of accredited e-invoicing service providers (accreditation number 129353). PACT says it has more than 12,000 customers worldwide.
UAE-specific note
PACT Software Services LLC appears on the UAE Ministry of Finance list of accredited e-invoicing service providers (number 129353, list updated 30 September 2026), and PACT says its payroll module generates WPS salary files. Ask for a demo of BOQ, retention and progress billing, which its construction page does not detail.
Pros
- + Ministry of Finance accredited e-invoicing service provider
- + Project planning, budgeting and cost control for contractors
- + Payroll with WPS salary file generation (per PACT)
- + Office in Dubai Silicon Oasis
Cons
- โ No public prices: quote only
- โ Construction page does not detail BOQ, retention or progress billing
- โ ERP setup effort
Sage (200 / 300)
Tier A ยท ListedSage mid-market finance and ERP (Sage 300, X3, Intacct) sold through UAE partners
Sage sells its mid-market finance and ERP products in the UAE through business partners. It launched Sage Intacct, its cloud financial management platform, in the UAE on 23 October 2025, to be delivered through certified business partners. Sage partner SynergERP, which has a Dubai office, sells Sage X3, Sage Intacct and Sage 300 in the UAE.
UAE-specific note
Sage is not on the UAE Ministry of Finance list of accredited e-invoicing service providers (checked 30 September 2026), so e-invoices would go through a separate accredited provider. For Sage Intacct, UAE VAT returns, FTA audit files and tax invoices come from the Intaxx module, which partner SynergERP says Sage contracted it to build. It suits firms where finance and cost control come first and a partner configures it for contracting.
Pros
- + Choice of Sage 300, Sage X3 or Sage Intacct through UAE partners
- + Multi-entity and multi-currency cloud finance in Sage Intacct
- + UAE VAT module for Sage Intacct (Intaxx) built by a Sage partner
Cons
- โ Sold through partners: quote only, no public UAE prices
- โ Construction features depend on the partner's set-up
- โ UAE VAT on Sage Intacct needs a partner-built module
- โ Not a site, scheduling or BIM tool
Zoho (Projects / Books / FSM)
Tier S ยท Published pricesZoho Books accounting with Projects and FSM for small firms
Zoho offers separate apps that small contractors can combine: Zoho Books for accounting and UAE VAT, Zoho Projects for project management and Zoho FSM for field-service work orders and dispatch. Zoho Books has a UAE edition with AED prices and an Arabic option, and Zoho says it files VAT returns directly with EmaraTax. Zoho Software Trading LLC is on the Ministry of Finance list of accredited e-invoicing service providers (accreditation number 121988).
UAE-specific note
Zoho Software Trading LLC is on the UAE Ministry of Finance list of accredited e-invoicing service providers (number 121988, list updated 30 September 2026), and Zoho Books can send e-invoices in the PINT-AE format through Peppol. With VAT and corporate tax records in Zoho Books, small contractors get a low-cost accounting base and can add Projects or FSM as they grow.
Pros
- + Published AED prices for Zoho Books, with a free plan
- + Ministry of Finance accredited e-invoicing service provider
- + VAT return filing to EmaraTax and corporate tax reports (per Zoho)
- + Free plans in Books, Projects (up to 5 users) and FSM (30 appointments a month)
Cons
- โ Not built for construction: general accounting, project and field-service apps
- โ You assemble and pay for several apps
- โ Zoho Books plans cap users and invoices per year
Horizon FMS (FIT)
Tier A ยท ListedDubai-built CAFM: assets, planned maintenance and work orders
Horizon FMS is a web-based computer-aided facility management (CAFM) system with mobile access from Frontline Information Technology LLC (FIT), a Dubai software company that says it has operated since 1992 and has an office in Al Karama. It covers assets, preventive maintenance, work orders and contracts for hard services such as HVAC, electrical and plumbing and soft services such as cleaning and security. FIT also sells the Horizon EBS ERP, Horizon HRMS and Horizon eProcure.
UAE-specific note
A locally built option for UAE facilities-management and MEP-maintenance firms that want CAFM from a Dubai vendor. FIT's VAT claims (FTA-format tax invoices in English and Arabic, VAT 201 returns) are made for its Horizon EBS ERP, and FIT is not on the Ministry of Finance list of accredited e-invoicing service providers (checked 30 September 2026).
Pros
- + Dubai vendor with an office in Al Karama
- + Assets, preventive maintenance, work orders and contracts in one system
- + Covers hard and soft FM services, with mobile access
- + Same vendor sells Horizon EBS ERP, HRMS and eProcure
Cons
- โ No public prices: quote only
- โ FM-focused, not construction project management
- โ VAT features are documented for Horizon EBS, not Horizon FMS
FSM Grid
Tier A ยท ListedField-service management platform from FSM Global, a Ducont Systems company with a Dubai office
FSM Grid is a field-service management platform from FSM Global Technologies, which says it is a subsidiary of Ducont Systems, an IT products and services provider based in the Middle East. It covers scheduling and dispatch, work orders, parts and inventory, quotations, contracts and SLAs, a customer portal, IoT integration and AI-driven predictive maintenance. FSM Global lists an office in Dubai Outsource City and says more than 75,000 field-service users rely on its software.
UAE-specific note
FSM Global lists a Dubai office in Dubai Outsource City and says FSM Grid supports English and Arabic in the Middle East. Its site does not describe UAE VAT or FTA e-invoicing features, so confirm tax handling with the vendor or keep invoicing in your accounting system.
Pros
- + Scheduling, dispatch, work orders and parts inventory in one platform
- + IoT integration and AI-driven predictive maintenance modules
- + Dubai office and English/Arabic support in the Middle East, per FSM Global
- + Dedicated HVAC industry module and contracts/SLA tracking
Cons
- โ No public prices; demo and quote only
- โ Not an accounting system: invoicing relies on integration with accounting software
- โ UAE VAT handling is not described on the vendor's site
- โ Industry focus is telecom, manufacturing, medical equipment and HVAC rather than general building trades
Contractor insurance
Engineering and contractor cover from UAE insurers regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE: Sukoon (formerly Oman Insurance Company), ADNIC and the Shariah-compliant takaful insurer Salama. Each lists Contractorโs All Risk, Erection All Risk and plant and machinery cover; ADNIC and Salama add workmenโs or employee compensation and public liability. None publishes premiums; every policy is quoted.
Sukoon Insurance
Tier A ยท ListedDubai insurer, formerly Oman Insurance Company, with ten engineering insurance products
Sukoon Insurance, known as Oman Insurance Company until its October 2022 rebrand, began operating in 1975 and is regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE. Its engineering line lists ten products, including Contractor's All Risk, Erection All Risk, Contractor's Plant and Machinery, Machinery Breakdown, Electronic Equipment and Principal's Advance Loss of Profits. Premiums are quoted per risk rather than published.
UAE-specific note
Sukoon's engineering line covers contractor-side risks (CAR, EAR, plant and machinery) and the project owner's Advance Loss of Profits with one insurer. Documents from before October 2022 may refer to it as Oman Insurance Company.
Pros
- + Ten engineering products, from CAR and EAR to plant, machinery and electronic equipment
- + Owner-side cover too, with Principal's Advance Loss of Profits for a delayed start
- + Regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE; operating since 1975
- + Quotes by phone, email, callback form or branch visit
Cons
- โ No public premiums; every policy is quoted
- โ Older contracts and tender documents may still name Oman Insurance Company
- โ Product pages give short summaries, so ask for the full policy wording
ADNIC (Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company)
Tier A ยท ListedAbu Dhabi insurer founded in 1972, with construction, engineering and liability cover for contractors
Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC) was founded in 1972, is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and is licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE. Its construction and engineering line covers Contractors All-Risk, Erection All-Risk, Contractor's Plant and Machinery, Machinery Breakdown, Electronic Equipment and Advance Loss of Profits, and its liability line adds workmen's compensation, public liability, professional indemnity and decennial liability.
UAE-specific note
Useful when you want CAR, workmen's compensation, professional indemnity and decennial liability from the same company. If a project owner requires a rated insurer, ask ADNIC for its current rating letter.
Pros
- + Project cover (CAR, EAR, plant and machinery) and statutory liability cover from one insurer
- + Workmen's compensation, professional indemnity and decennial liability on its liability page
- + Downloadable proposal forms plus phone, email and callback channels
Cons
- โ No public premiums; every policy is quoted
- โ Comparing it with other insurers means collecting several quotes
Salama (Islamic Arab Insurance)
Tier A ยท ListedDubai-listed takaful insurer with engineering, employee compensation and liability cover
Salama Islamic Arab Insurance Company is a Shariah-compliant (takaful) insurer based in Dubai, listed on the Dubai Financial Market and regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE; it says it has operated for more than 45 years and protects 450,000 customers. Its engineering and construction line covers Contractor's All Risks, Erection All Risks, Contractor's Plant and Machinery, Machinery Breakdown and Electronic Equipment, and its property and casualty line adds employee compensation, employee liability and public liability.
UAE-specific note
Relevant when a contractor or client requires Shariah-compliant (takaful) cover instead of conventional insurance; Salama offers both the engineering covers and employee compensation and public liability.
Pros
- + Shariah-compliant takaful cover for contractors who need it
- + Engineering set (CAR, EAR, plant, machinery breakdown, electronic equipment) plus employee compensation and public liability
- + Listed on the Dubai Financial Market and regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE
- + Quotes by phone (800-725262) or email
Cons
- โ No public premiums; every policy is quoted
- โ Shareholders approved a capital restructuring in October 2025
- โ Product pages list covers only, so ask for full policy wordings
Lead generation & project intelligence
Construction project intelligence and eTendering from ProTenders, which covers UAE projects within its GCC project data and lists an office in Abu Dhabi. A company profile is free; the Construction Intelligence and eTendering products are custom-priced, with a demo on request.
ProTenders
Tier A ยท ListedGCC construction project intelligence and eTendering platform, with free company profiles
ProTenders, run by NuServ Ltd and founded in 2011, is a construction intelligence and eTendering platform for developers, consultants, contractors and suppliers across the GCC, including the UAE. Its paid Construction Intelligence product tracks projects with participant details, contacts and notifications, and its eTendering product manages tenders and bids. A free Company Profile lists a firm's projects and products and lets it bid on private tenders; ProTenders lists offices in Abu Dhabi and Montreal.
UAE-specific note
ProTenders covers UAE projects within its GCC project data and lists an office in Abu Dhabi. It suits firms that sell to developers, consultants and main contractors and want to track GCC projects or respond to private tenders.
Pros
- + Built for construction: tracks GCC projects with participating firms and contacts
- + Free Company Profile with project listing, product catalogue and private tender bidding
- + eTendering module for issuing and managing tenders
- + Abu Dhabi office
Cons
- โ Construction Intelligence and eTendering are custom-priced; demo required
- โ The free profile gives visibility only; project tracking and contacts are in the paid product
- โ Aimed at developers, consultants, contractors and suppliers rather than homeowners
Licensing & compliance
Dubai Municipalityโs Contractors Register under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025, MOEI e-qualification for MOEI engineering projects, 5% VAT through the Federal Tax Authority, Peppol e-invoicing through accredited service providers (mandatory in phases from 1 January 2027), Emiratisation targets (MOHRE and Nafis), Abu Dhabi DMT permits with the Estidama Pearl rating, and Dubaiโs BIM model requirement.
Dubai Municipality (Contractor Licensing)
Official bodyDubai's regulator for contractor registration, classification and building permits
Dubai Municipality licenses contracting companies and engineering consultancies in Dubai and runs building permit procedures. Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025, published on 15 July 2025 and in force six months later, makes entry in an electronic Contractors Register kept by the Municipality mandatory, with classification handled through an emirate-wide system linked to the Invest in Dubai platform. The law covers contractors across the emirate, including free zones and DIFC, but excludes airport infrastructure work.
UAE-specific note
Under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025, no one may carry on or advertise contracting work in Dubai without a trade licence and entry in the Contractors Register, and clients may not hire unregistered firms. Contractors already working when the law took effect have one year from that date to comply, which the committee can extend by a further year.
What it covers
- + One emirate-wide Contractors Register kept by Dubai Municipality
- + Registration and classification through a system linked to the Invest in Dubai platform
- + Classification by activity and category, based on experience and financial and technical capability
- + Professional competency certificates for contractors' technical staff
Watch out for
- โ Existing contractors must comply within one year of the law taking effect (extendable by the committee)
- โ Fines of AED 1,000 to AED 100,000, doubled up to AED 200,000 for a repeat within a year
- โ Violations can also bring suspension, downgrading or removal from the Register
- โ Fees are not listed on Dubai Municipality's public pages
Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure (MOEI)
Official bodyFederal registration and e-qualification of contractors for MOEI engineering projects
The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI) registers and e-qualifies consultants, contractors and suppliers to carry out its engineering projects. It also runs a separate, no-fee contractor registration for its housing assistance programme, so contractors can work for programme beneficiaries. MOEI qualification sits alongside emirate-level rules such as Dubai Municipality's Contractors Register, not in place of them.
UAE-specific note
Federal and emirate-level registration are separate: MOEI e-qualification covers MOEI's own engineering projects, while contracting anywhere in Dubai also needs a trade licence and entry in Dubai Municipality's Contractors Register under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025. Check the rules of each emirate you work in.
What it covers
- + Qualifies consultants, contractors and suppliers for MOEI engineering projects
- + New registration AED 500 with no annual renewal fee, per MOEI's service listing
- + Separate no-fee registration to work on housing assistance programme projects
Watch out for
- โ Only relevant if you bid for MOEI projects or housing assistance work
- โ Does not replace emirate-level trade licensing or registration
- โ MOEI's fee list includes an AED 500 annual fine (AED 100 for soil test consultants)
- โ On 10 October 2026 both MOEI service pages said the service was temporarily suspended and pointed applicants to the MOEI call centre (8006634)
UAE VAT (Federal Tax Authority)
Official bodyUAE VAT at 5%, administered by the Federal Tax Authority since 1 January 2018
The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) administers UAE VAT, introduced on 1 January 2018 at 5%. A business must register once its taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 over 12 months, and may register voluntarily from AED 187,500. Registration, returns and payments run through the FTA's EmaraTax platform, accessed with UAE Pass, and each return and payment is due within 28 days of the end of the tax period.
UAE-specific note
Set your invoicing and accounting software up for UAE VAT at 5% and FTA returns filed through EmaraTax. If you build homes for UAE nationals, keep proper tax invoices: the owner can claim VAT on the new residence back from the FTA within 12 months of completion.
What it covers
- + One federal VAT regime at 5%
- + Free registration through EmaraTax (the FTA quotes 20 business days to process)
- + Published thresholds: AED 375,000 mandatory, AED 187,500 voluntary
- + FTA refund scheme for UAE nationals building a new home
Watch out for
- โ Invoicing software must produce UAE VAT invoices and returns at 5%
- โ Return and payment due within 28 days of each tax period end
- โ FTA services are available only online through UAE Pass and EmaraTax
UAE E-Invoicing (Peppol)
Official bodyUAE e-invoicing through accredited Peppol service providers, mandatory in phases from January 2027
The Ministry of Finance runs UAE e-invoicing on a decentralised five-corner model based on the OpenPeppol standard: each business appoints an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) that exchanges invoices with the buyer's provider and reports the data to the Federal Tax Authority. It covers business-to-business and business-to-government invoices; business-to-consumer transactions stay outside the system until the Minister decides otherwise. A pilot and voluntary adoption began on 1 July 2026, businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more must go live by 1 January 2027, and smaller businesses by 1 July 2027.
UAE-specific note
If your revenue is AED 50 million or more, the deadline to appoint an Accredited Service Provider is 30 October 2026 (moved from 31 July 2026 by Ministerial Decision No. 66 of 2026), with go-live on 1 January 2027. Smaller contractors must appoint one by 31 March 2027 and go live by 1 July 2027, so check that your accounting software works with a provider on the Ministry of Finance list.
What it covers
- + Published phased timeline set by Ministerial decision
- + Public Ministry of Finance list of ASPs (65 accredited and 5 pre-approved on 9 October 2026)
- + Business-to-consumer invoices are outside the system for now
- + Businesses under AED 50 million revenue have until 1 July 2027
Watch out for
- โ Revenue of AED 50 million or more: appoint an ASP by 30 October 2026 and go live by 1 January 2027
- โ Below AED 50 million: appoint an ASP by 31 March 2027 and go live by 1 July 2027
- โ You need a contract with an Accredited Service Provider, not just e-invoice-capable software
- โ Violations and penalties are set by Cabinet Decision No. 106 of 2025
MOHRE & Emiratisation (Nafis)
Official bodyFederal labour ministry that sets and enforces private-sector Emiratisation targets
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) sets Emiratisation targets for private companies and collects financial contributions from those that miss them. MOHRE requires companies with 50 or more employees to raise their Emirati share by 2% a year, with a first-half deadline of 30 June, and says targeted companies should reach 10% by the end of 2026. Companies with 20-49 employees in 14 sectors had to hire one Emirati in 2024 and another in 2025, and MOHRE points employers to the Nafis platform for help finding Emirati candidates.
UAE-specific note
If you have 50 or more employees, or 20-49 employees in one of the 14 targeted sectors, track your Emirati headcount against MOHRE's half-yearly targets: each missed position costs a financial contribution. Your payroll setup should also reflect the AED 6,000 monthly minimum wage for Emiratis in the private sector.
What it covers
- + Published targets with half-yearly deadlines (30 June for the first half of 2026)
- + Nafis platform helps employers find qualified Emirati candidates
- + Contribution amounts announced before collection (2025 amounts collected in January 2026)
Watch out for
- โ From 1 July 2026, AED 10,000 a month (AED 120,000 a year) per unfilled position for companies with 50 or more employees
- โ Companies with 20-49 employees in 14 sectors paid AED 108,000 per Emirati not hired under 2025 targets
- โ Fines of up to AED 500,000 for circumventing targets, per MOHRE
- โ Minimum wage for Emiratis in the private sector raised to AED 6,000 a month
Abu Dhabi DMT & Estidama
Official bodyAbu Dhabi building permits, contractor classification and the Estidama Pearl rating
The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) handles building permits in Abu Dhabi, requested through TAMM and its electronic building permit system, and classifies engineering contractors and consulting offices in grades from Special to Sixth. DMT also governs the Estidama Pearl Rating System, which rates projects from one to five Pearls. Privately funded projects need at least one Pearl and government-funded projects at least two to obtain a building permit.
UAE-specific note
Abu Dhabi and Dubai run separate systems: Abu Dhabi projects go through DMT classification, permits and Estidama Pearl ratings, while Dubai work needs entry in Dubai Municipality's Contractors Register under Dubai Law No. 7 of 2025. If you work in both emirates, expect separate registrations and different compliance paperwork.
What it covers
- + Published Estidama minimums: one Pearl for private projects, two for government-funded ones
- + Contractor and consultant classification in grades from Special to Sixth
- + Building permits requested online through TAMM
- + Pearl Qualified Professionals trained to guide projects through Estidama
Watch out for
- โ An Estidama Pearl rating is a condition of the building permit
- โ Separate regime from Dubai Municipality's registration and permits
- โ Estidama includes mandatory credits, which adds design and documentation work
- โ Fees are not listed on DMT's public pages
Dubai BIM Mandate
Official bodyDubai Municipality's BIM model requirement for large and specialised building applications
Dubai Municipality announced in an October 2023 circular that from 1 January 2024 it would accept planning applications for a wide range of buildings only with a BIM model, as reported by Global Construction Review. Architectural models are required for buildings over 20 floors or complexes over 20,000 sq m, structural models for buildings over 40 floors or complexes over 30,000 sq m, and models are also needed for hospitals, universities and all government projects. Models must follow the Dubai Building Code and the Dubai BIM standard, published on the Dubai Building Standard platform.
UAE-specific note
If you design buildings in Dubai above these thresholds, or for hospitals, universities or government clients, the planning application needs a BIM model to the Dubai BIM standard. Check the current circular on the Dubai Building Standard platform before bidding, as this entry relies on the 2023 announcement.
What it covers
- + Published size thresholds for when a model is required
- + Projects below the thresholds, other than hospitals, universities and government work, are not covered
- + One Dubai BIM standard used alongside the Dubai Building Code
Watch out for
- โ Requires BIM-capable design software and staff
- โ Adds modelling work before the planning application
- โ Covers all government projects regardless of size
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