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Regulatory updates

Every UAE regulatory change, as it happens.

New rules, circulars, consultations and notices from UAE regulators, each summarised with who is affected and what to do. Collected by Arakan Lexara from the regulators' own websites.

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All regulatorsDubai Financial Services Authority (70)Federal Tax Authority (46)Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (27)Financial Services Regulatory Authority — ADGM (26)Ministry of Economy and Tourism — AML/CFT & Commercial Supervision (21)Central Bank of the UAE (20)ADGM Registration Authority (14)DIFC Registrar of Companies (10)Federal (Cross-Regulator / Federal Decree-Laws) (2)Ministry of Finance (1)Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (1)Dubai Land Department (1)Real Estate Regulatory Authority — Dubai (1)Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (1)
  1. Ministry of Economy and Tourism — AML/CFT & Commercial Supervision19 Dec 2025CircularHigh impact

    Circular No. (7) of 2025 Regarding the Re-Imposition of United Nations Sanctions on Iran

    MOET directed all supervised DNFBPs to update sanctions-screening systems, re-screen all existing customers/counterparties, apply asset-freezing measures, and report matches via goAML to the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation, following the UN Security Council's re-imposition of sanctions on Iran under Resolution 1737 (2006) and successor resolutions. Immediate action required from real estate, precious-metals, accounting/audit and corporate-service DNFBPs.

  2. Dubai Financial Services Authority15 Dec 2025Rule AmendmentMedium impact

    Notice of Amendments to Legislation: December 2025 (CP165 – Licensed Functions and Authorised Individuals)

    DFSA Board finalised CP165 changes to Licensed Functions and Authorised Individuals via amendments to the GEN and GLO modules (RMI Nos. 430-431/2025), effective 1 July 2026, revising appointment, fitness and propriety requirements.

  3. Dubai Financial Services Authority
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Updates are found automatically on regulators' websites and summarised by AI. Check the official source before relying on any item.

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Laws and regulations are issued and published by the relevant UAE authorities; always rely on the official text. Summaries on this page are for information only and are not legal advice.

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15 Dec 2025
Press Release
High impact

DFSA issues updated rules on the regulation of Crypto Tokens in the DIFC

DFSA announced finalised crypto token rules moving from a DFSA-prescribed Recognised Crypto Token list to firm-led, documented suitability assessments, with enhanced investor safeguards and proportionate reporting requirements — the next phase of its digital assets framework.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority15 Dec 2025Rule AmendmentHigh impact

    Notice of Amendments to Legislation: December 2025 (CP168 – Crypto Tokens)

    DFSA Board finalised CP168 crypto token reforms across the GEN, COB, CIR, FER, AMI, MKT and GLO modules (RMI Nos. 423-429/2025), effective 12 January 2026, implementing the firm-led suitability assessment regime for crypto tokens.

  • Central Bank of the UAE14 Dec 2025New Regulation/StandardHigh impact

    Cabinet Resolution No. (134) of 2025 Regarding the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree by Law No. (10) of 2025 Regarding Anti-Money Laundering, and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing

    These are the executive regulations implementing the new AML/CFT/CPF law (Federal Decree-Law No. 10/2025), providing detailed operational rules on customer due diligence, reporting, and supervisory procedures that CBUAE-licensed institutions must follow. This is the practical compliance rulebook institutions need alongside the parent law.

  • Federal Tax Authority12 Dec 2025Cabinet DecisionHigh impact

    Cabinet Decision No. 197 of 2025 on Excise Goods, Tax Rates and Calculation Methods (Sweetened Drinks)

    Replaces the flat 50% excise tax on sweetened drinks with a tiered, sugar-content-based rate (AED 0 / 0.79 / 1.09 per litre depending on sugar content per 100ml), requiring MOIAT-accredited lab reports per product, with a transitional over-tax deduction available through 30 June 2026. Issued 27 November 2025; published 12 December 2025.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority11 Dec 2025Consultation PaperMedium impact

    Consultation Paper No 169 – Miscellaneous

    CP169 proposed miscellaneous amendments across the AML, Fees (FER) and PIB modules, later finalised via the March 2026 Notice of Amendments to Legislation.

  • Financial Services Regulatory Authority — ADGM9 Dec 2025Press ReleaseMedium impact

    FSRA Showcases Enhancements to its Funds Regulatory Framework at ADFW

    The FSRA highlighted that new periodic (tailored) reporting requirements for Funds are now in effect, and recapped the open Consultation Paper No. 12 of 2025 proposals, alongside Q3 2025 sector growth figures (48% YoY AUM growth, 161 Fund Managers, 220 Funds). Fund managers should confirm they are meeting the new periodic reporting obligations.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority9 Dec 2025Enforcement NoticeMedium impact

    Individual Restriction Notice – Mr Kulvir Virk

    DFSA issued a restriction notice barring Mr Kulvir Virk from performing any financial services function in or from the DIFC, based on a prior UK FCA prohibition order and related fit-and-proper concerns — illustrating DFSA's use of overseas regulatory findings in individual enforcement. Note: DFSA's own enforcement-actions index groups this notice under 'October 2025' while secondary reporting (Waystone) cites 9 December 2025; date shown reflects the more precise secondary source and should be treated as approximate pending direct confirmation.

  • Federal Tax Authority8 Dec 2025FTA DecisionMedium impact

    FTA Decision No. 8 of 2025 on Tax Compliance Timelines for Qualifying Investment Funds and their Investors

    Sets registration deadlines (3–12 months), tax-return filing timelines (9–12 months) and annual declaration deadlines (extended to 10 months) for Qualifying Investment Funds and their non-resident investors, implementing Cabinet Decision No. 34 of 2025's shift of QIFs from tax-transparent to tax-exempt status. Issued 18 September 2025; published 8 December 2025.

  • Financial Services Regulatory Authority — ADGM5 Dec 2025Consultation PaperMedium impact

    Updating the Regulatory Framework for Insurance in ADGM

    A companion discussion paper seeking broader stakeholder views on modernising ADGM's insurance regulatory framework, complementing Consultation Paper No. 13 of 2025 on ICPs and climate risk. Insurers and intermediaries should consider both papers together when assessing forthcoming rule changes.

  • Federal Tax Authority3 Dec 2025Cabinet DecisionHigh impact

    Federal Decree-Law No. 16 of 2025 Amending the VAT Law

    Amends the VAT Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017): clarifies reverse-charge self-invoicing, introduces a five-year limitation period to claim excess recoverable input tax, adds Article 54 provisions denying input tax recovery where connected to tax evasion, and repeals the former Article 79(bis) limitation provision. Effective 1 January 2026; also the legal basis referenced in Public Clarification VATP046. Issued 25 November 2025; publish date 3 December 2025.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority28 Nov 2025Regulatory NoticeMedium impact

    Dear SEO Letter: 2026 Thematic Reviews on Suitability, Fund Platforms and Brokerage – Oversight of Trading Environment

    DFSA notified firms of its planned 2026 thematic review programme covering suitability, fund platform operations and brokerage trading-environment oversight, giving firms advance notice to prepare.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority27 Nov 2025GuidanceMedium impact

    Thematic Review Findings – Continuing Professional Development for MLROs

    Thematic review found 79% of MLROs met the minimum 15-hour CPD requirement, but some CPD activity was irrelevant or too basic; DFSA signalled future expectation of risk-assessment-driven CPD planning for MLROs. Date sourced from secondary reporting.

  • Financial Services Regulatory Authority — ADGM26 Nov 2025Consultation PaperHigh impact

    Enhancements to Insurance Regulatory Framework — IAIS Insurance Core Principles and Climate Risk Management

    The FSRA proposed enhancements aligning ADGM's insurance regime with IAIS Insurance Core Principles, covering risk management, market conduct, reinsurance, IFRS 17 implementation, and proportionate climate-related financial risk requirements for insurers. Insurance firms should review governance and climate-risk disclosure implications.

  • Federal Tax Authority25 Nov 2025Cabinet DecisionHigh impact

    Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2025 Amending the Tax Procedures Law

    Amends the Tax Procedures Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 28 of 2022): caps the FTA's period to allocate credits/overpayments at five years, revises the voluntary disclosure framework to selective FTA application, sets a five-year deadline for taxpayer refund requests, and expands statute-of-limitations exceptions for audits. Effective 1 January 2026. Date shown is the decree's issue date per secondary legal sources; the exact Official Gazette publish date was not independently confirmed — flagged.

  • Financial Services Regulatory Authority — ADGM24 Nov 2025Consultation PaperHigh impact

    Proposed Enhancements to the FSRA's Funds Framework

    The FSRA proposed a Sub-Threshold Fund Manager category (under USD 200m committed capital, USD 50,000 base capital), an Institutional Fund Manager regime for institutional-only investors, integration of Venture Capital Fund Managers as an STFM subcategory, tightened Foreign Fund Manager controls, and an Employee Investment Vehicle exemption. Fund managers should assess which streamlined category may apply to them.

  • Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority24 Nov 2025Administrative NoticeHigh impact

    Publication of UAE Federal Decree-Law on AML/CFT/CPF (2025) - Mandatory GAP Assessment for VASPs

    Following publication of the UAE's new Federal Decree-Law on AML/CFT/CPF (2025), VARA directed all licensed VASPs to complete a mandatory gap assessment of their AML/CFT frameworks against the new federal law and remediate any deficiencies identified.

  • Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority21 Nov 2025GuidanceMedium impact

    Executive Office for Control & Non-Proliferation (EOCN) Updated Guidance on Targeted Financial Sanctions

    VARA circulated the UAE Executive Office for Control & Non-Proliferation's updated guidelines on targeted financial sanctions screening, requiring VASPs to update their sanctions-screening procedures and EOCN system registration accordingly.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority19 Nov 2025CircularMedium impact

    Annual Supervision Outreach 2025 – Supervisory Priorities

    DFSA communicated its supervisory priorities for the coming period across banking, wealth management, capital markets and fintech, flagging misconduct, suitability gaps, financial crime and market abuse as key risk areas. Date sourced from secondary reporting.

  • Ministry of Economy and Tourism — AML/CFT & Commercial Supervision14 Nov 2025Cabinet DecisionHigh impact

    Cabinet Resolution No. (134) of 2025 on the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. (10) of 2025 on AML/CFT/CPF

    Executive regulations implementing the new AML law took effect 14 December 2025, replacing Cabinet Resolution No. 10 of 2019. Key changes for DNFBPs include formal recognition of commercial gaming operators as a new DNFBP category, an online-transaction reporting threshold of AED 11,000, and explicit senior-management sign-off requirements for AML policies and high-risk relationships. The confirmed date is the 14 December 2025 effective date; the publication/gazettal date shown (14 November 2025) is an estimate and should be verified against the Official Gazette.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority12 Nov 2025GuidanceMedium impact

    2025 Artificial Intelligence Survey Results

    DFSA published results of its 2025 AI survey showing 52% of DIFC firms actively use AI (up from 33% in 2024), with 21% lacking clear AI governance accountability structures — signalling forthcoming supervisory focus on AI governance. Date sourced from secondary reporting.

  • Federal Tax Authority11 Nov 2025Cabinet DecisionHigh impact

    Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025 Amending the Administrative Penalties for Violation of Tax Laws

    Major overhaul of administrative penalties across VAT, Excise Tax and Corporate Tax: replaces the compounding late-payment penalty (capped at 300%) with a flat 14% per annum rate calculated monthly, reduces voluntary-disclosure penalties to 1% per month, and lowers several fixed-amount penalties (e.g. the incorrect-return penalty cut from AED 1,000–2,000 to AED 500). Issued 9 October 2025; effective 14 April 2026.

  • Dubai Financial Services Authority8 Nov 2025Press ReleaseLow impact

    DFSA and HKMA publish joint report "Scaling Sustainable Debt in Emerging Markets"

    Joint DFSA-HKMA publication on climate transition planning principles, encouraging financial institutions to develop transparent transition plans and align financing with sustainability objectives. Informational; date sourced from secondary reporting.

  • Central Bank of the UAE7 Nov 2025GuidanceMedium impact

    Guidance for Licensed Financial Institutions on Risks Related to Proliferation Finance

    CBUAE issued sector guidance directing licensed financial institutions to assess, monitor and mitigate proliferation-financing (PF) risk, aligned with FATF standards and the new Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025. Institutions should incorporate PF-specific risk factors into customer risk assessments and transaction monitoring.

  • Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority7 Nov 2025GuidanceMedium impact

    Guidance on Rule III D Risk Assessments

    VARA issued guidance clarifying expectations under Rule III(D) of the Compliance and Risk Management Rulebook on how VASPs must conduct and document enterprise-wide AML/CFT risk assessments.

  • Central Bank of the UAE7 Nov 2025GuidanceMedium impact

    Guidance for Licensed Financial Institutions on Risks Related to Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML) and Transshipment

    Companion guidance to the proliferation-finance guidance issued the same day, this document sets out red flags and control expectations for trade-based money laundering and transshipment risk in trade finance, particularly relevant to banks and finance companies handling letters of credit and trade transactions.

  • Financial Services Regulatory Authority — ADGM6 Nov 2025GuidanceMedium impact

    Guidance on Restricted Securities

    The FSRA published guidance assisting applicants and listed entities in understanding requirements relating to restricted securities under the Market Rulebook, clarifying disclosure and eligibility considerations for admission to the Official List.

  • DIFC Registrar of Companies30 Oct 2025Consultation PaperHigh impact

    Proposed Amendments to the DIFC Real Property Law and Regulations

    DIFC proposed introducing decennial (10-year) contractor liability for construction defects in new buildings aligned with the UAE Civil Code, granting the Registrar of Real Property discretion to waive provisions producing unfair outcomes, extending lease-registration deadlines from 30 to 45 days and off-plan freehold transfer-fee payment deadlines from 30 to 60 days, and adding penalty fees for unregistered leases.

  • DIFC Registrar of Companies30 Oct 2025Regulations AmendmentMedium impact

    DIFC Operating Regulations Amendment - Hotel and Alcohol-Serving Establishment Sales Fee

    Amended DIFC Operating Regulations authorize the DIFC Authority (rather than Dubai Municipality) to collect a 7% sales fee from hotels and alcohol-serving establishments operating within the Centre, effective 28 October 2025 and announced 30 October 2025 alongside the Real Property Law consultation.