Bahrain’s 2025-26 Budget Signals Tax Reforms and Potential VAT Hike

Effective Date: To Be Announced

Type: Legislation

Bahrain’s 2025-26 budget, submitted to Parliament, includes potential tax reforms, such as a possible VAT increase from the current 10% and an e-invoicing mandate. The budget also outlines plans for a corporate income tax, a national health insurance system, energy subsidy cuts, and carbon emissions charges. These measures aim to diversify Bahrain’s economy beyond oil, as financial services now surpass petroleum in GDP contribution. Bahrain first introduced VAT at 5% in 2019 as part of a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) agreement, later increasing it to 10% in 2022. Kuwait and Qatar may introduce VAT within the next two years, joining Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Oman in implementing the tax.

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