Guide · Kuwait
Website legal requirements Kuwait businesses should know
Kuwait requires people engaging in digital commerce to register with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Online providers must display business details and issue electronic invoices in Arabic. Consumers have a withdrawal period, subject to exceptions. CITRA’s data privacy regulation applies to licensed service providers and sets consent and breach-reporting requirements. Arabic is Kuwait’s official language, and the Arabic version of a multilingual document is generally the legally binding text.
Checked against official sources on 5 November 2026. General information, not legal advice: confirm the rules that apply to your business with an adviser.
What privacy rules apply to my website or app?
The Data Privacy Protection Regulation No. 26 of 2024 issued by Kuwait's Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) applies to CITRA-licensed service providers, wherever the data is processed. It replaced Regulation No. 42 of 2021.
If you are a covered service provider, your forms must obtain users’ explicit consent before collecting personal data, with terms available in Arabic and English. You must report personal data breaches to CITRA within 24 hours.
What digital commerce rules apply to my online shop?
Kuwait's Decree-Law No. 10 of 2026 regulating the digital commerce sector, published in the Official Gazette on 1 March 2026, requires anyone engaging in digital commerce to register with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Plan for registration when setting up your online shop.
What invoice must my online shop issue?
Article 12 of Kuwait's Decree-Law No. 10 of 2026 on digital commerce requires online providers to issue an electronic invoice in Arabic. Other languages may be added, so include Arabic in your checkout and invoicing plans.
What payment options should I consider?
KNET, the Shared Electronic Banking Services Company, was established in 1992 in partnership with Kuwait's local banks to provide shared banking payment services. Consider it when planning your online checkout.
In June 2026 KNET replaced the bank selection list on its online payment portal with direct card number entry. Take this change into account when planning the payment experience.
Which language should my website documents use?
English is widely used in Kuwait's business community. Where a document exists in several languages, the Arabic version is generally the legally binding text; take this into account when preparing multilingual website documents.
How do I register a Kuwait domain?
CITRA manages the .kw domain. Names such as .com.kw are registered through CITRA-accredited registrars, while registration directly under .kw is marked as coming soon.
What business details must my website show?
Article 10 of Kuwait's digital commerce decree-law requires online providers to display their name or trade name, registration number and contact details prominently. The contact details include email, phone and website links, so make space for them in the site or app design.
What should I check before building a website in Kuwait?
Arabic is the official language of the State. Use this checklist when planning your website or app.
- Register with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry if you engage in digital commerce.
- If CITRA’s privacy regulation covers you, obtain explicit consent before collecting personal data.
- Make privacy terms available in Arabic and English if the regulation covers you.
- Plan a process for reporting personal data breaches to CITRA if the regulation covers you.
- Set up electronic invoices in Arabic.
- Consider KNET when planning checkout.
- Prepare Arabic versions of multilingual website documents.
- Use a CITRA-accredited registrar for a name such as .com.kw.
- Display your business name or trade name, registration number and contact details prominently.
Questions
Does Kuwait have a personal data protection law for every business?
No. Kuwait does not have a dedicated personal data protection law that applies to all individuals and businesses.
Has Kuwait introduced VAT for online sales?
No. Kuwait has not introduced VAT. It signed the GCC VAT framework agreement in February 2017, but the agreement is still under discussion in Kuwait.
What is WAMD?
WAMD is an instant payment service offering round-the-clock instant transfers through banks' apps. KNET launched it in 2024 in partnership with Kuwaiti banks.
Can a customer withdraw from an online purchase?
Yes. Kuwait's digital commerce decree-law gives consumers 14 days from receipt to withdraw, with exceptions such as used, custom-made and downloaded digital products.