Selling online in Qatar without renting a shop or an office: until 2026 the rules did not really provide for it. A decision of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry changed that. Here is what it says and what it asks of you.
What changed in March 2026
Ministerial Decision No. 25 of 2026 was published in the Official Gazette on 15 March 2026 and has applied since 16 March 2026. It creates an e-commerce licence for commercial activities carried out through an electronic platform, with no commercial premises in Qatar. It covers the sale of goods and the provision of services through a website, a digital platform or social media channels.
Who needs this licence
Any business that carries out, through an electronic platform, an activity on the list approved by the Ministry. Without the licence, the activity is not allowed. The Ministry keeps the list of eligible activities and publishes it on its website, so the first thing to check is that your activity is on it.
The conditions to obtain it
- be registered in the Commercial Register (CR);
- file an application that states the activity you will run online;
- obtain the approvals specific to your sector, if any;
- name the website or platform you will sell through.
One point matters a lot: the licence does not replace the company. You first need an entity registered in the Commercial Register, then the licence. For a foreign founder, that means setting up a company in Qatar first. We describe that path in the 8 steps to set up a company in Qatar, and the ownership rules in our article on 100% foreign ownership.
Your obligations once you hold the licence
- sell only through the platform named in the licence;
- ask the Ministry to approve any change to the licence details, for example a new website address;
- offer electronic payment;
- show your commercial registration number and your e-commerce licence number;
- show clearly your contact details, a description of the goods or services, your exchange and return policy, how to file a complaint, and the consumer protection information.
The general framework remains the Electronic Commerce and Transactions Law (Decree-Law No. 16 of 2010). It recognises contracts concluded online and contains a chapter on consumer protection.
What the decision does not cover
The licence is about selling online. It does not deal with importing your goods, storing them, delivering them, or visas for you and your staff. If you import and re-export, also look at the free zones, which we compare in mainland, QFC or free zone. For tax, see company tax in Qatar.
Where to start
- Check that your activity is on the Ministry's list of activities allowed online.
- Choose the legal framework and the wording of your activity.
- Set up the company and obtain the commercial registration.
- Apply for the e-commerce licence, naming your website or platform.
- Bring the website into line: registration and licence numbers, contact details, return policy, complaints, electronic payment.
The fees and processing times are set by the Ministry and can change. We confirm them for your activity before any filing.
Let's talk about your project
Every activity has its own rules. In a 30-minute introductory call, you tell us about your project and we tell you whether we can help and what the next steps are. Book a call or see how we help you set up a company in Qatar.
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