Side by side
| Saudi Arabia | UAE | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status (Oct 2026) | Live: Phase 1 since Dec 2021, Phase 2 in waves since Jan 2023 | Pilot since Jul 2026; mandatory from Jan 2027 (large), Jul 2027 (others) | Draft law approved by Cabinet May 2026; not yet in force |
| Authority | ZATCA | Ministry of Finance and FTA | Ministry of Finance and GTA |
| VAT rate | 15% | 5% | No VAT |
| Model | Clearance (B2B) and reporting (B2C) via Fatoora | Peppol five-corner exchange through ASPs, reported to FTA | Not published |
| B2C | Yes — simplified invoices reported within 24 hours | Excluded for now | Not known |
| Format | UBL 2.1 XML with ZATCA extensions, QR, cryptographic stamp | PINT AE (Peppol) structured data | Not published |
| Who connects | Your system, onboarded with a CSID | Your Accredited Service Provider | Not known |
| Phasing test | VAT-subject revenue, wave by wave | Revenue AED 50 million and above first | Not known |
| Penalties | Warnings then fines that rise on repeat | AED 5,000 a month for delay; AED 100 per document | Not known |
Oman and Bahrain
| Oman | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Status (Oct 2026) | Decision No. 189/2026 published; mandatory from 1 Apr 2027 (supplies above RO 5 million) and 1 Oct 2027 (others) | No mandate in force; no official date |
| Authority | Tax Authority (Fawtara) | National Bureau for Revenue |
| VAT rate | 5% | 10% |
| Model | Approved electronic format through Tax Authority-licensed providers; Peppol-based (PINT OM) per FAQ | Expected central clearance, not confirmed |
| B2C | Yes — simplified invoices included | Not known |
What this means for a GCC group
- One ERP, several connectors. Keep invoices in one system and add a country connector: a ZATCA-onboarded EGS for Saudi entities and an ASP connection for UAE entities. Avoid separate billing tools per country.
- Masters decide success. Saudi needs buyer VAT numbers and national addresses; the UAE needs TRNs and Peppol participant details. Clean them per entity before go-live.
- Credit notes are the weak point in every system. Make sure they always link to the original invoice.
- Arabic is required on Saudi invoices and is the safe default in Qatar; bilingual print formats serve all three.
- Watch dates per entity. A Saudi branch may be live already while the UAE entity is months away.
Read the country guides
- Saudi Arabia: ZATCA Phase 1 and Phase 2, Phase 2 waves and checklist, Saudi VAT invoice requirements.
- UAE: UAE e-invoicing timeline, ASP and penalties, UAE VAT invoice requirements.
- Oman: Fawtara and Decision 189/2026. Bahrain: e-invoicing status and VAT invoice rules.
- Qatar: what the 2026 draft law confirms.
- India: GST e-invoicing explained.
Where WebSoftOS stands
WebSoftOS runs ERPNext with multi-company, multi-currency books for groups across India and the Gulf. Certified ZATCA Phase 2 clearance and UAE or Oman provider connectors are not live features today; Saudi, UAE and Oman entities need an onboarded solution or an accredited or licensed provider alongside the ERP. Talk to us about your entity map.
Frequently asked questions
How is UAE e-invoicing different from Saudi ZATCA?
Saudi Arabia clears B2B invoices centrally on ZATCA’s Fatoora platform and requires B2C invoices to be reported. The UAE uses a Peppol network in which accredited service providers exchange B2B and B2G invoices and report them to the FTA; B2C is excluded for now.
Does Qatar have e-invoicing like Saudi Arabia?
Not yet. Qatar’s Cabinet approved a draft law in May 2026, but it is not in force and no technical model has been published.
Can one ERP handle e-invoicing in Saudi Arabia and the UAE?
Yes, if it keeps invoices for each entity in one system and connects to a ZATCA-onboarded unit for Saudi entities and an accredited service provider for UAE entities.
Practical, India-specific guides from the team behind WebSoftOS cloud ERP, by Ridhi Technologies, Zirakpur, Punjab.