The VAT refund for building new residences of UAE Nationals is a special relief scheme established under the UAE VAT legislation to support Emirati citizens in meeting their housing needs. It allows eligible UAE Nationals to recover the 5% VAT paid on goods and services used in the construction of their new private residence. At Abdelhamid & Co. Certified Public Accountants & Auditors L L C SP, we are licensed by the UAE Ministry of Economy (Local Auditors Record No. LC0106-01) and registered as a licensed FTA Tax Agent (TAN: 30003958 | TAAN: 20033908). We assist UAE National clients with the entire VAT refund application process — from eligibility assessment through to submission via the EmaraTax portal. This service is part of our broader UAE VAT and excise tax services. Learn more about our firm and our team. Legal basis: Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on VAT and its Executive Regulations The VAT refund for UAE Nationals building new residences is governed by the UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on Value Added Tax and its Executive Regulations. The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) administers this scheme and publishes the eligibility criteria and application requirements on its legislation page. Applications are submitted through the EmaraTax portal. To be eligible for the VAT refund for building new residences of UAE Nationals, the following key conditions must be met: The VAT refund covers the 5% VAT paid on: VAT on furniture, appliances, landscaping, and other non-construction items is not eligible for refund under this scheme. The FTA requires the following documents to be submitted with the VAT refund application: All documents must be accurate, complete, and match the details in the application. Missing or inconsistent documents are a common reason for application rejection. We assess whether your construction project qualifies under the FTA’s VAT refund scheme for UAE Nationals, reviewing the land ownership, contractor details, and nature of the construction to confirm eligibility before any documents are prepared. We review all your invoices, receipts, permits, and supporting documents to ensure they meet FTA requirements. We identify any gaps or discrepancies and advise on how to address them before submission. Incomplete or inconsistent documents are the most common cause of refund application rejection. As licensed FTA Tax Agents, we submit the VAT refund application on your behalf directly through the EmaraTax portal, ensuring all required fields and attachments are correctly completed. We handle all correspondence with the FTA during the review process, responding to queries, providing additional documentation if requested, and following up on the status of your application until the refund is processed. The refund is 5% of the value of eligible goods and services used in the construction. The refund amount depends on the total cost of qualifying construction materials and contractor services, as supported by valid VAT invoices. The application must be submitted to the FTA within 1 year of the completion of the new residence. Late applications may not be accepted. Yes. The scheme allows for the land to be owned by a family member of the UAE National applicant, provided all other eligibility conditions are met. No. The VAT refund scheme for UAE Nationals applies only to new residential buildings. Renovations, extensions, or additions to existing buildings are not eligible under this scheme. No. The scheme applies to new residences built in any UAE Emirate, subject to the eligibility conditions being met and relevant municipal documentation being available. Yes. As licensed FTA Tax Agents, we can submit the VAT refund application on your behalf via EmaraTax, handle FTA queries, and manage the process from start to finish. Missing or inconsistent documents are the most common cause of application rejection. The FTA may reject applications or request additional information. We conduct a full document review before submission to minimise this risk, and handle all subsequent FTA correspondence on your behalf. 📞 Phone / WhatsApp: +971 50 794 8028 Abdelhamid & Co. Certified Public Accountants & Auditors L L C SP — Licensed by the UAE Ministry of Economy (LC0106-01) | Licensed FTA Tax Agent (TAN: 30003958 | TAAN: 20033908) Last reviewed: April 2026. Content reflects UAE law at date of review.VAT refund for building new residences of UAE Nationals — FTA scheme
Key facts — VAT refund UAE Nationals new residence
VAT rate refunded: 5% on eligible construction goods and services
Deadline: Application must be submitted within 1 year of building completion
Eligible items: Building materials, contractor services, design and supervision
Not eligible: Furniture, appliances, landscaping, non-construction items
Submission: Via EmaraTax portal | Administered by FTA
Licensing: Ministry of Economy LC0106-01 | FTA Tax Agent TAN: 30003958Legal basis
Eligibility conditions
What VAT can be refunded?
Documents required for the VAT refund application
Our VAT refund assistance services for UAE Nationals
1. Eligibility assessment
2. Document review & preparation
3. Application submission via EmaraTax
4. FTA correspondence & follow-up
Why choose Abdelhamid & Co for your UAE National VAT refund?
Frequently asked questions — VAT refund UAE Nationals new residence
How much VAT can a UAE National get refunded for a new residence?
What is the deadline to apply for the VAT refund?
Can the refund be claimed if the land is in a family member’s name?
Can I claim VAT refund on renovations or extensions?
Is the property required to be in a specific Emirate?
Can a licensed FTA Tax Agent submit the application on my behalf?
What happens if documents are missing from the VAT refund application?
Related services
Contact us for VAT refund assistance in the UAE
📞 Direct: +971 065 289 414
🌐 Office: Sharjah, Al Qasimia, Omran Tower, Office 302
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