How to choose a UAE e-invoicing provider
In the UAE you cannot issue an e-invoice yourself through a free government portal, the way you can in some neighbouring countries. The UAE model is built around an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) that exchanges your invoices and reports them to the Federal Tax Authority. So choosing a provider is not a technical detail — it is the first practical decision you have to make.
Before we start, let us correct two common myths. First, that e-invoicing has been "mandatory since July 2026" — this is wrong; what began on 1 July 2026 is a voluntary, invitation-only pilot. Second, that "businesses not registered for VAT are exempt" — also wrong; VAT registration is irrelevant, and any business that issues invoices to other businesses (B2B) or to government (B2G) is in scope. Consumer (B2C) invoices are excluded for now.
When do you need to choose?
Your deadline depends on size. Businesses with annual revenue of AED 50 million or more must appoint an accredited provider by 30 October 2026, with go-live on 1 January 2027. All other businesses — including non-VAT-registered ones and licensed freelancers — must appoint a provider by 31 March 2027, with go-live on 1 July 2027. Delay is costly: a penalty of AED 5,000 per month applies for failing to appoint a provider.
Question 1: Is the provider on track for final accreditation?
Around 41 providers are currently pre-approved under the eligibility criteria (Article 15). But final accreditation (Article 16) is still being issued, and the list is provisional and moving. Ask the provider directly about its current status, and do not assume that "pre-approved" means "fully accredited." A ministerial decision from May 2026 also allows providers to use third-party (white-label) products, so ask who actually operates the platform. Always check the official list before you sign.
Question 2: What does it cost after the free 100 transactions?
The law requires every provider to give each customer 100 free transactions per year for exchanging and reporting invoices (Ministerial Decision 64/2025). That may be enough for a very small business, but once you pass it, pricing begins. Ask clearly:
- What does each transaction cost beyond the free 100?
- Is pricing a fixed subscription or per-transaction?
- How does the cost change as your invoice volume grows?
Compare at least two providers before committing.
Question 3: Arabic support and technical requirements
Because your business is often run in Arabic, clear Arabic-language support matters in practice. Make sure the provider follows the required technical specification (PINT AE Billing, with its 51 mandatory fields) and that it handles onboarding through the EmaraTax platform. Mind archiving too: e-invoices must be kept inside the UAE for 5 to 7 years, and recovering input VAT now depends on retaining the electronic invoice.
Official source: The only authoritative reference is the Ministry of Finance portal: https://mof.gov.ae/en/about-us/initiatives/einvoicing/ — verify there before making any decision.