Qatar ยท ู‚ุทุฑ

ุงู„ุนุฑุจูŠุฉ

Qatar Construction & Trades Software Directory

Independent reviews of 21 Qatar-relevant listings: project platforms (Oracle Aconex and Primavera P6, Autodesk Forma, Procore), PlanRadar for site inspections, ERPs that list Qatar contacts (Focus Softnet, PACT ERP), SkyStruct from a Doha-based company, Insight CAFM for worker accommodation, 3 Qatari insurers and 2 regional project databases, alongside the local rules: Monaqasat classification, the Qatar Construction Specifications (QCS 2014), Qatarization and a tax system with no VAT so far.

9
software
3
insurance
2
lead-gen
7
certification
No VAT
as of Sep 2026
QCS
2014 specifications

Deciding between two options?

See Qatar vendors compared side by side: verdict, pros and cons, Qatar-specific notes, and pricing, head to head.

Compare Qatar vendors โ†’

Whatโ€™s different about choosing software in Qatar

Qatar has no VAT so far: PwC expects a 5% VAT under the GCC framework with no date set, and The New Arab reported on 25 September 2026 that it is still under consideration. E-invoicing is further along: EY reports that the Council of Ministers approved a draft e-invoicing law on 6 May 2026, to be run by the General Tax Authority, and no official go-live date had been announced by 30 September 2026, so choose invoicing software that can be updated when the rules are issued. Private-sector hiring falls under Qatarization (Law No. 12 of 2024), whose rules differ from Saudi Nitaqat and UAE Emiratisation. Government tenders require Monaqasat classification, building work follows QCS 2014 (plus the Interim Advice Notes Ashghal applies on its own projects), and Kahramaa publishes lists of authorized electrical, water and solar PV contractors. 8 of the 9 software listings here publish no prices; PlanRadar publishes per-user prices in USD, EUR, GBP and AUD, not QAR.

Construction & trades software

Project platforms (Oracle Aconex; Oracle Primavera P6, with Ashghal named by Oracle as a Primavera customer; Autodesk Forma (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud); Procore, served from Dubai), PlanRadar for site inspections and snagging, ERPs that list Qatar contacts (Focus Softnet with a Doha office, PACT ERP with a Doha phone number), SkyStruct from a Doha-based company, and Insight CAFM for labour-camp and staff-accommodation management.

Oracle Aconex

Tier A ยท Listed

Oracle's cloud document control and project collaboration platform

Oracle Aconex is a cloud platform where the owner, consultants and contractors on a project share documents, formal correspondence (Mail) and review workflows in one 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. Oracle announced new Aconex capabilities in April 2026.

Qatar-specific note

Aconex suits clients, consultants and main contractors who need one shared record of documents and correspondence across many companies on a large project. It does not handle invoicing. Qatar has not introduced VAT (The New Arab reported on 25 September 2026 that it is still under consideration), and EY reported in May 2026 that Qatar approved a draft e-invoicing law, so keep invoicing in an accounting system that can follow those rules.

Pros

  • + Documents, Mail and approval workflows in one shared project record
  • + Middle East (MEA) instance listed by Oracle
  • + Oracle Aconex Mobile app for site teams
  • + Still developed: Oracle announced new Aconex capabilities in April 2026

Cons

  • โˆ’ No public prices: quote from Oracle
  • โˆ’ Built for multi-party projects, more than a small contractor needs
  • โˆ’ Not an accounting or invoicing tool
  • โˆ’ Support Central help is not offered in Arabic
Typical Qatar pricing: Quote-based; no public prices found.

Oracle Primavera P6

Tier A ยท Listed

Oracle'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, both documented up to version 26. Oracle published a customer story in April 2024 titled 'Ashghal helps transform Qatar infrastructure with Oracle Primavera', about the Public Works Authority. Gulf Times reported in March 2020 that Ashghal's Doha South project won an Oracle Construction and Engineering Excellence Award.

Qatar-specific note

If a client contract or tender specifies the programme format or scheduling software, confirm the requirement before you buy; no public Ashghal rule naming P6 was found in this check. P6 handles scheduling only, so invoicing stays in your accounting system (Qatar has not introduced VAT; The New Arab reported on 25 September 2026 that it is still under consideration).

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
  • + Ashghal is a named Oracle Primavera customer in Qatar

Cons

  • โˆ’ No public prices: quote from Oracle or a partner
  • โˆ’ Built for professional planners; a learning curve for occasional users
  • โˆ’ More than a small firm's job schedule needs
  • โˆ’ Scheduling only: no accounting or invoicing
Typical Qatar pricing: Quote-based; no public price list found.

Autodesk Forma (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud)

Tier A ยท Listed

Autodesk'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. In Doha, Thasaamah Technology says it is an Autodesk Gold Partner.

Qatar-specific note

Thasaamah Technology in Doha says it is an Autodesk Gold Partner, but its partner page lists design software (Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Navisworks, AEC Collection) rather than the Forma construction bundles, so ask any Qatar seller whether it sells and supports those bundles locally. The tools suit engineering firms and contractors working with BIM models; simple jobs do not need them.

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)
  • + Doha-based Autodesk partner (Thasaamah Technology, self-described Gold Partner)

Cons

  • โˆ’ No public prices for the construction bundles: quote-based
  • โˆ’ Product names changed in March 2026, so older guides use ACC names
  • โˆ’ Not an accounting or invoicing tool
  • โˆ’ BIM depth is more than simple jobs need
Typical Qatar pricing: Quote-based: Autodesk's construction pricing page lists three bundles (Model Management, Preconstruction, Construction Operations) with 'Get a quote' and no prices; Autodesk says it offers user-, project- and account-based pricing and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Procore

Tier A ยท Listed

Construction project management, quality, safety and financials

Procore Technologies (NYSE: PCOR) sells project management, quality and safety, financial management and Procore AI on one platform. It has no Qatar site or office; its first Middle East and North Africa office opened in Dubai Internet City in September 2022, and its UAE site serves the region with a Dubai phone line. Every contract includes unlimited users and data storage, per Procore.

Qatar-specific note

Procore serves Qatar from its Dubai office and UAE website; no Qatar office, Qatar site or Qatar-specific feature was found, so confirm who will implement and support it locally. Its financial tools cover budgets, change orders and payment applications, not invoicing or tax, so keep an accounting system alongside it.

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)
  • + 24/7 support by email, chat or phone listed on the UAE site

Cons

  • โˆ’ No public prices: annual fee per product based on turnover
  • โˆ’ No Qatar office; nearest office is in Dubai
  • โˆ’ UAE site is English only, with no Arabic option
  • โˆ’ Not an accounting system
Typical Qatar pricing: Quote-based; no public prices. Procore's UAE pricing page says it charges an upfront annual fee per product based on your annual turnover, with unlimited users and data storage included.

PlanRadar

Tier S ยท Published prices

Site inspections, snagging, defects and site documentation

PlanRadar, founded in Vienna in 2013, is a site documentation, inspection and defect-management app that says it has more than 200,000 users in 75+ countries. It has no Qatar site or office; its nearest office is in Downtown Dubai, and it runs Arabic-language UAE and Saudi websites. It publishes per-user prices in USD, EUR, GBP and AUD, and subcontractors join free on every plan.

Qatar-specific note

PlanRadar has no Qatar office or Qatar website; its nearest office is in Dubai, and prices are in USD, EUR, GBP or AUD rather than QAR. It suits contractors who want digital snagging, inspections and handover records; try it on your own project during the 30-day trial.

Pros

  • + Published per-user prices and a 30-day free trial
  • + Unlimited subcontractors and watchers free on every plan
  • + Arabic-language regional website and pricing page
  • + PlanRadar says the platform runs in more than 18 languages

Cons

  • โˆ’ Site execution only, not scheduling or accounting
  • โˆ’ Starter and Pro are capped at 10 users; more needs Enterprise
  • โˆ’ 4% innovation fee on the annual fee from the second billing period
  • โˆ’ No Qatar office and no prices in QAR
Typical Qatar pricing: Published (USD, per user per month, Monthly toggle): Basic $32 (1 user, 10 plans), Starter $107 (up to 10 users, 30 plans per user), Pro $159 (up to 10 users, 100 plans per user, 1 BIM model per user); Enterprise by quote. PlanRadar says annual billing saves more than 10%, bills annually in advance unless the contract says otherwise and adds a 4% innovation fee from the second billing period. 30-day free trial.

Focus Softnet

Tier A ยท Listed

ERP suite with construction project costing and CAFM

Focus Softnet, established in 1992, sells the Focus X ERP and related products including CRM, HCM, warehouse, POS and Focus CAFM, and says it operates from 27 offices in 17 countries. Its Qatar site lists an office in Al Ezz Tower 4, Old Salata, Doha, and a construction ERP covering project cost control, equipment, inventory and document management.

Qatar-specific note

Focus Softnet has a Doha office and markets its e-invoicing product for Qatar's planned mandate; EY reported in May 2026 that Qatar approved a draft e-invoicing law, and Qatar's General Tax Authority had published no list of approved providers when checked. Qatar has no VAT, so ask Focus exactly which Qatar requirements its product meets before relying on it.

Pros

  • + Doha office with Qatar phone lines
  • + Project management and cost control modules for contractors
  • + Focus CAFM listed for facilities management
  • + Offices across all six GCC countries

Cons

  • โˆ’ No public prices: demo and quote only
  • โˆ’ A general ERP with construction modules, not a construction-only product
  • โˆ’ Qatar pages are English only
  • โˆ’ ERP implementation effort
Typical Qatar pricing: Quote-based; no public prices on Focus's Qatar pages.

PACT ERP

Tier A ยท Listed

Modular ERP with contracting, procurement and payroll

PACT Software Services, headquartered in Hyderabad, India, says it has provided ERP since 1998 and has more than 12,000 customers worldwide. It sells a modular ERP covering finance, procurement, inventory, projects, CRM and HR and payroll, with a construction and contracting solution for scheduling, procurement and cost control. PACT lists Qatar among its offices and gives a Doha phone number.

Qatar-specific note

PACT lists a Doha contact (+974 number) but no Qatar street address, and its Qatar site link points to its global website. Ask for a demo of BOQ, subcontractor, retention and progress-billing features, which its construction page does not detail, and confirm who supports you in Qatar.

Pros

  • + Project scheduling, procurement and cost control for contractors
  • + HR and payroll in the same suite
  • + Doha contact number plus offices in the UAE and Saudi Arabia

Cons

  • โˆ’ No public prices: quote only
  • โˆ’ Construction page does not detail BOQ, estimation, retention or progress billing
  • โˆ’ No Qatar street address published
  • โˆ’ ERP setup effort
Typical Qatar pricing: Quote-based; no public prices.

SkyStruct

Tier A ยท Listed

Construction management software from a Doha-based company

SkyStruct is a construction management platform based at Qatar Science & Technology Park in Doha, with modules for construction management (submittals, RFIs, schedules, inspections), labour, inventory and procurement, and cost tracking. SkyStruct says it is built with regional authorities, practices and approval processes in mind.

Qatar-specific note

SkyStruct is a Doha-based company at Qatar Science & Technology Park, so demos and support are local. Ask for named Qatar references and confirm Arabic support, since its website is in English only.

Pros

  • + Based in Doha, at Qatar Science & Technology Park
  • + Submittals, RFIs, schedules and inspections in one tool
  • + Labour attendance, inventory and cost tracking modules
  • + BOQ and document storage from the entry-level plan

Cons

  • โˆ’ No public prices: demo and quote only
  • โˆ’ No free trial; guided demos instead
  • โˆ’ Minimum of 3 users per plan
  • โˆ’ English-only website; Arabic not mentioned
Typical Qatar pricing: Quote-based; no public prices. SkyStruct lists four plans (Lite, Starter, Professional, Enterprise) and says it charges per user per month with a minimum of 3 users.

Insight CAFM

Tier A ยท Listed

Facilities software for labour camps and staff accommodation

Insight CAFM is a cloud facilities management system for labour camps and workforce accommodation, built by E Concept, a Dubai software company. It covers room allocation and check-ins, contracts and billing, maintenance work orders, inventory, resident services and HSE inspections. E Concept says companies in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar use it and that it manages more than 3,000 units.

Qatar-specific note

Relevant if your Qatar operation runs worker accommodation. E Concept names Qatar among its markets but lists no Qatar office, so ask who supports you locally; its Professional plan's VAT invoicing is not needed in Qatar, which has no VAT.

Pros

  • + Built for labour camp and staff accommodation operations
  • + Occupancy, check-ins, contracts and billing in one system
  • + Maintenance work orders with mobile job cards
  • + Enterprise plan offers on-premise hosting

Cons

  • โˆ’ Niche: accommodation FM, not construction project management
  • โˆ’ No public prices: every plan is quote-based
  • โˆ’ No Qatar office; the developer is in Dubai
  • โˆ’ User caps on Standard (10) and Professional (25)
Typical Qatar pricing: Quote-based; no public prices. Insight CAFM lists Standard (up to 10 users), Professional (up to 25 users) and Enterprise (unlimited users) plans, all 'Contact for Quote', with add-on modules sold separately.

Contractor insurance

Contractors All Risk, Erection All Risk and plant cover from Qatari insurers: QIC, Beema (Damaan Islamic Insurance, a takaful insurer) and QGIRCO. Each is quote-based, with no public premiums.

Qatar Insurance Company (QIC)

Tier A ยท Listed

Qatar-based insurer writing Contractors/Erection All Risk and Plant & Equipment cover

Qatar Insurance Company (QIC), listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange, says it was set up in 1964 as the first domestic insurer in Qatar, and it now operates in several GCC markets and Europe. Its commercial page lists Contractors/Erection All Risk and Plant & Equipment insurance alongside liability, professional indemnity and workmen's compensation, and says engineering insurance specialists review project proposals.

Qatar-specific note

Contractors in Qatar can place Contractors/Erection All Risk, plant, liability and workmen's compensation cover with QIC under one Qatar Central Bank licensed insurer. If a contract names a minimum insurer rating, ask QIC for its current rating letter.

Pros

  • + Contractors/Erection All Risk and Plant & Equipment cover on its commercial page
  • + Workmen's compensation, third-party liability and professional indemnity from the same insurer
  • + Engineering insurance specialists review project proposals (QIC's statement)

Cons

  • โˆ’ No public premiums; quote only
  • โˆ’ Commercial range is aimed at company and project accounts
  • โˆ’ No takaful (Sharia-compliant) option found on its site
Typical Qatar pricing: Quote-based; no public prices on QIC's commercial insurance pages.

Beema (Damaan Islamic Insurance)

Tier A ยท Listed

Qatari takaful insurer with an itemised engineering and construction line

Damaan Islamic Insurance Company (Beema) is a takaful insurer established in 2009 and licensed by the Qatar Central Bank; its founders include QIC, Qatar National Bank, Barwa, QInvest and QIB, and it has been listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange since January 2023. Its engineering page lists Contractors All Risks, an Annual Contractor All-Risk policy covering small civil and maintenance contracts up to QAR 5 million each, Erection All Risk, Electronic Equipment and Machinery Breakdown cover.

Qatar-specific note

Beema's Annual Contractor All-Risk policy automatically covers small civil engineering and maintenance contracts up to QAR 5 million in any one contract, which suits maintenance and fit-out firms running many small jobs. Contractors who need takaful (Islamic) cover can place CAR, EAR and plant cover with Beema.

Pros

  • + Annual CAR policy automatically covers small contracts up to QAR 5 million each
  • + Contractors All Risks includes third-party liability at the site
  • + Takaful (Islamic) insurance structure
  • + Erection All Risk, Electronic Equipment and Machinery Breakdown cover also offered

Cons

  • โˆ’ No public premiums; quote only
  • โˆ’ Workmen's compensation not listed on the engineering page
Typical Qatar pricing: Quote-based; no public prices on Beema's engineering insurance page.

Qatar General Insurance & Reinsurance (QGIRCO)

Tier A ยท Listed

Qatari insurer, listed since 1997, with a full engineering insurance line

Qatar General Insurance & Reinsurance Company (QGIRCO), established in 1979 and listed since 1997, is regulated by the Qatar Central Bank. Its engineering page lists Contractors All Risks, Erection All-Risks, Contractors Plant and Machinery, Machinery Breakdown, Deterioration of Stock and Electronic Equipment cover. QGIRCO reported a loss of nearly QR 1.6 billion for 2023 and returned to a QR123.6 million net profit in 2025, according to Gulf Times.

Qatar-specific note

QGIRCO offers the main construction covers (CAR, EAR, contractors plant and machinery) from Doha. If a contract or lender sets a minimum insurer rating, ask QGIRCO for its current rating letter before placing cover.

Pros

  • + Contractors All Risks with debris removal and third-party liability
  • + Contractors Plant and Machinery cover for cranes, excavators and other site equipment
  • + Erection All-Risks, Machinery Breakdown and Electronic Equipment cover

Cons

  • โˆ’ No public premiums; quote only
  • โˆ’ Large loss in 2023 before its return to profit
  • โˆ’ Vendor URL on file no longer resolves; the site moved to qgirco.com.qa
Typical Qatar pricing: Quote-based; no public prices on QGIRCO's engineering insurance page.

Lead generation & project intelligence

Regional construction project databases that include Qatar: ProTenders, with a free company profile and a Qatar project section behind sign-up, and BNC Network, which says it covers 72 countries across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia but showed no Qatari projects on its readable pages. Neither publishes prices for its project data. The Monaqasat government tender portal is listed under licensing and compliance.

ProTenders

Tier A ยท Listed

GCC construction project intelligence and eTendering, with a free company profile

ProTenders, operated by NuServ Ltd and launched in 2011 according to its about page, is a construction platform for developers, consultants, contractors and suppliers with offices in Abu Dhabi and Montreal. It combines a free company-profile directory that can bid on private tenders, a custom-priced Construction Intelligence database that it says covers projects from planning to completion across the GCC, and an eTendering tool. It has a Qatar project section, with project data and contacts shown only after sign-up.

Qatar-specific note

ProTenders has a Qatar project section inside its GCC-wide database, so contractors and suppliers can track Qatari projects and their participants. The free company profile is the low-cost way to start; ask for a demo showing Qatar coverage in your sector before paying for the intelligence module.

Pros

  • + Built for construction project work, not home-services jobs
  • + Free company profile with product catalogue, visitor analytics and private-tender bidding
  • + Construction Intelligence tracks projects from planning to completion with participant details
  • + Covers Qatar alongside the other GCC markets

Cons

  • โˆ’ Construction Intelligence and eTendering are custom-priced after a demo request
  • โˆ’ Project data and contacts need sign-up
  • โˆ’ No Qatar office listed; offices are in Abu Dhabi and Montreal
Typical Qatar pricing: Company Profiles free; Construction Intelligence and Construction eTendering are custom-priced after a demo request, with no published figures.

BNC Network

Tier A ยท Listed

Construction project-intelligence database for the GCC, Middle East and Africa

BNC Network is a project-intelligence database that says it has operated since 2004 and covers 72 countries across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia through its IBIS platform. It sells construction project profiles with status updates, values, bidder information and contacts for owners, consultants, contractors and subcontractors. BNC describes itself as privately held and based in Sharjah, UAE, and an event sponsor profile names Industry Networks as its parent.

Qatar-specific note

BNC describes its product as a database of GCC construction projects, which includes Qatar, but none of the pages readable in this check listed Qatari projects. Ask BNC for a sample of its current Qatar projects in your sector, with contacts, before paying for a subscription.

Pros

  • + Project status updates, values and bidder information
  • + Contacts for owners, consultants, contractors and subcontractors
  • + Covers GCC construction projects plus wider Middle East and Africa markets
  • + Running since 2004 (BNC's statement)

Cons

  • โˆ’ No public prices found
  • โˆ’ Site loads by script, so little detail is visible before contact
  • โˆ’ No readable page lists Qatari projects
  • โˆ’ Regional database, not Qatar-specific
Typical Qatar pricing: No public prices found on bncnetwork.net.

Licensing & compliance

Monaqasat classification for government tenders, the General Tax Authority (no VAT so far) and the draft e-invoicing law approved in May 2026, Qatarization (Law No. 12 of 2024), Ministry of Municipality building permits, the QCS 2014 construction specifications with the Interim Advice Notes Ashghal applies to its own projects, and Kahramaa's authorized contractor lists.

Monaqasat (Govt Procurement)

Official body

Qatar's government procurement portal and supplier classification

Monaqasat is the Ministry of Finance's unified portal for Qatar government procurement: companies apply there for classification as suppliers and service providers or as contractors, view tenders, buy tender documents and bid electronically. The portal says a company must be classified to take part in government tenders. Procurement runs under Law No. 24 of 2015 on tenders and auctions and its Executive Regulation 16/2019.

Qatar-specific note

Get classified before you chase government work: the Ministry of Finance portal requires classification to bid and asks for an audited balance sheet. The portal says a local value certificate will become a mandatory tender condition from early 2027 (postponed), and that tender value ceilings for suppliers will later be linked to each company's financial limits.

What it covers

  • + One portal for classification, tender notices and electronic bids
  • + Public directory of classified companies
  • + Contractor specialisations include buildings, roads, sewage and water
  • + An administrative committee settles pre-contract procurement disputes

Watch out for

  • โˆ’ Classification is required before you can bid for government work
  • โˆ’ An audited balance sheet is mandatory for classification
  • โˆ’ Services need a National Authentication System (Tawtheeq) login
  • โˆ’ No fee schedule on the portal's public pages
Cost / access: No classification fee schedule on the portal's public pages; applications are made after logging in with Qatar's National Authentication System.

General Tax Authority (GTA)

Official body

Qatar's tax authority: income, withholding and excise tax, and no VAT so far

The General Tax Authority, set up by Amiri Decision No. 77 of 2018, administers income tax, capital gains tax, withholding tax, excise tax and the global minimum tax through its Dhareeba e-portal. Its published income tax rate is 10% of taxable income, with a minimum of 35% for petroleum and petrochemical activities. Qatar has not introduced VAT: The New Arab reported on 25 September 2026 that it is still under consideration.

Qatar-specific note

Qatar has no VAT today, so contractors do not charge VAT on invoices; PwC's summary (reviewed 17 September 2026) says a 5% VAT under the GCC framework is anticipated, and The New Arab reported on 25 September 2026 that it is being considered. EY reports that the Council of Ministers approved a draft e-invoicing law on 6 May 2026, to be run by the GTA, so choose invoicing software that can be updated when the rules are issued.

What it covers

  • + Returns, payments and services run online through the Dhareeba portal
  • + No VAT in Qatar as of September 2026
  • + Published rates: 10% income tax and 5% withholding tax on set payments to non-residents
  • + Annual return due within four months after the tax year

Watch out for

  • โˆ’ 5% withholding tax on royalties, interest, commissions and service fees paid to non-residents
  • โˆ’ PwC expects a 5% GCC-framework VAT, with no date set
  • โˆ’ Excise tax applies to tobacco, energy drinks and sweetened drinks
  • โˆ’ E-invoicing law approved in draft in May 2026, rules still to be published
Cost / access: No service fees found; published tax rates are 10% income tax (35% minimum for petroleum and petrochemical activities) and 5% withholding tax on set payments to non-residents.

Qatar E-Invoicing (draft)

Official body

Draft e-invoicing law approved by the Cabinet; no go-live date announced

Qatar's Council of Ministers approved a draft e-invoicing law and implementing regulations on 6 May 2026, as reported by EY and The Peninsula. EY says the General Tax Authority will administer it and has run a pilot since late 2025, and expects a model similar to Saudi Arabia's, with clearance for business-to-business and business-to-government invoices. No official go-live date had been announced by 30 September 2026.

Qatar-specific note

E-invoicing is not mandatory in Qatar as of 30 September 2026. EY anticipates a start from 1 January 2027 with larger businesses first, but says no official dates are confirmed, so contractors should ask their invoicing software vendor about its Qatar plans now rather than wait for the final rules.

What it covers

  • + Draft law and regulations approved on 6 May 2026, so the direction is known
  • + EY expects larger businesses to be phased in first
  • + Time to prepare invoicing systems before any mandate

Watch out for

  • โˆ’ No official go-live date or technical specifications published yet
  • โˆ’ EY expects Saudi-style clearance, so invoices may need real-time approval
  • โˆ’ Not a requirement today, so the timing is uncertain
Cost / access: No fees published; the requirement is not yet in force.

Qatarization (Law No. 12 of 2024)

Official body

Law No. 12 of 2024 on localising private-sector jobs for Qatari nationals

Law No. 12 of 2024, issued by the Amir in 2024 and taking effect six months after its October 2024 publication, requires private employers in Qatar to give priority to Qatari nationals, according to a Crowell & Moring summary. Employers must notify the Ministry of Labour of vacancies and salaries, fill jobs the Ministry designates with Qataris only and use Ministry employment templates. Companies owned fully or partly by QatarEnergy and companies in petroleum operations are excluded, and incentives and quotas are left to Council of Ministers decisions.

Qatar-specific note

Contractors hiring in Qatar need records of vacancies, salaries and which roles are held by Qatari nationals, because the law requires vacancy and salary notifications to the Ministry of Labour. The rules differ from Saudi Nitaqat and UAE Emiratisation, so check that HR or payroll software built for those countries can report on Qatar's terms.

What it covers

  • + Written legal framework administered by the Ministry of Labour
  • + The Council of Ministers is to set incentives for employers who comply
  • + A national localisation award recognises private-sector employers

Watch out for

  • โˆ’ Vacancies and salaries must be reported to the Ministry of Labour
  • โˆ’ Some jobs can be filled only by Qatari nationals
  • โˆ’ Fines up to QAR 100,000, and up to QAR 1,000,000 or prison for fraudulent compliance
  • โˆ’ Quotas and incentives depend on later Cabinet decisions
Cost / access: No fees found; the obligation is a legal duty. Penalties range from warnings to fines of up to QAR 100,000 (up to QAR 1,000,000 and prison for fraud), per Crowell & Moring.

Ministry of Municipality (Building Permits)

Official body

Qatar's building-permit authority, with AI checking of drawings since October 2025

Qatar's Ministry of Municipality issues building permits and launched an AI-based permit system on 26 October 2025, developed with Brain Co. The Peninsula reported that the system checks engineering drawings against approved standards, draws on GIS, Ashghal and Kahramaa data, and cuts permit time from 30 days to 120 minutes. The Minister said up to 70% of the first phase runs without human intervention.

Qatar-specific note

Building permit applications in Qatar go through the Ministry of Municipality's AI system, which flags errors in engineering drawings before submission. Contractors working with a design consultancy can save time by making sure drawings and site data are complete before they are uploaded.

What it covers

  • + AI checks drawings and returns a to-do list of errors before formal submission
  • + Reported permit time of 120 minutes, down from 30 days
  • + Uses GIS land data plus Ashghal and Kahramaa data

Watch out for

  • โˆ’ Automation covers up to 70% of the first phase, so some steps stay manual
  • โˆ’ Permit fees not found on a readable Ministry page
  • โˆ’ Drawings must pass the system's checks against approved standards and regulations
Cost / access: Official permit fees not found; the Ministry of Municipality site could not be read in this check.

Ashghal & Qatar Construction Specifications

Official body

Qatar's public works client and the QCS 2014 construction specifications

Qatar Construction Specifications (QCS) 2014 were issued by the Minister of Environment and, according to The Peninsula, apply to all buildings under construction in Qatar. The Public Works Authority (Ashghal), set up in 2004, designs, builds and maintains Qatar's roads, drainage and public buildings and tenders that work through its e-tendering and prequalification pages. Ashghal issues Interim Advice Notes that change QCS requirements on its own projects only.

Qatar-specific note

Specifications, method statements and QA checklists for Qatar work should follow QCS 2014, and on Ashghal projects also the Interim Advice Notes that Ashghal applies to each contract. Ashghal's own notes say those IANs are not official QCS updates, so check the contract for which ones apply.

What it covers

  • + QCS 2014 sets written requirements for building work in Qatar
  • + QCS includes sections on health and safety (Section 11) and green construction (Section 7)
  • + Ashghal publishes tenders, prequalification calls and a list of prospected 2026 tenders online

Watch out for

  • โˆ’ Ashghal projects add Interim Advice Notes on top of QCS
  • โˆ’ No newer QCS edition reported since the 2014 version and its 2017 amendments
  • โˆ’ Working for Ashghal needs prequalification or its Approved Companies List
Cost / access: No fees found on the Ashghal pages read; QCS purchase or download terms were not confirmed.

Kahramaa (Electricity & Water)

Official body

Qatar's electricity and water network operator, with authorized contractor lists

Kahramaa (Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation) describes itself as the sole owner and operator of Qatar's electricity and water transmission and distribution systems. For consultants and contractors it publishes approved materials lists and lists of authorized electrical and water contractors, and it licenses solar PV contractors for its BeSolar distributed-solar service. It also tracks building-permit related services online.

Qatar-specific note

MEP and solar contractors in Qatar should check Kahramaa's authorized electrical contractor, authorized water contractor and approved PV contractor lists, and its approved materials lists, before bidding on work that ties into the network. The PV contractor licence has its own application and guidelines on the Kahramaa site.

What it covers

  • + Published lists of authorized electrical and water contractors
  • + Approved materials lists for electricity distribution, water and transmission work
  • + Solar PV contractor licence with published requirement guidelines

Watch out for

  • โˆ’ Contractor lists load by script and give little detail
  • โˆ’ Licence fees are not shown on the pages read
  • โˆ’ Separate lists and processes for electricity, water and solar work
Cost / access: No fees shown on Kahramaa's contractor pages; licence application forms are provided for download.

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