Kuwait Resets Its Media and Tourism Licence Fees: KD 10,000 to Launch a Satellite Channel, KD 1,500 for a Hotel

The Ministry of Information has issued Ministerial Decision No. 37 of 2026 setting a single fee schedule for the services it provides to the public, published in Kuwait Al-Youm Issue 1808, page A57, dated 13 September 2026 and effective from that date. The decision implements Cabinet Decision No. 993, taken on 11 August 2026, approving the ministry's service prices, and repeals the fee table attached to Ministerial Decision No. 60 of 2023.

The schedule covers 32 licensed activities and lists, for each one, the fee for issuing the licence, renewing it, amending it, transferring it and replacing a lost copy, with a flat KD 50 cancellation fee. The heaviest fees fall on broadcasting: establishing and operating a satellite, visual or audio channel costs KD 10,000 to license and KD 5,000 to renew, the same as a rebroadcasting licence. Television broadcast services and cinema film distribution each cost KD 5,250 with a KD 2,600 renewal, radio broadcast services KD 4,050, and cinemas KD 4,500 with a KD 1,250 renewal. A daily newspaper licence costs KD 2,000, a periodical KD 1,500 and electronic publishing KD 1,250.

The ministry also licenses tourism activities. A hotel licence costs KD 1,500 to issue, with renewal between KD 750 and KD 1,000 depending on the star rating; resorts cost KD 1,900; hotel apartments KD 1,500 with renewals from KD 400 to KD 600 by grade; and bathing parks, beaches and coastal facilities KD 750. At the lighter end, organizing domestic tourist trips and tour guiding costs KD 100 with a KD 60 renewal, while media consultancy, advertising, artistic production and translation are KD 400 each. A statistics and opinion polling licence, including election polling, costs KD 1,750.

WEFAQ's view: licence holders should check the new schedule before their next renewal date, because the decision took effect on publication and repeals the 2023 table entirely. Where the licence sits inside a larger investment, for example a hotel operating agreement or a broadcasting joint venture, the change is also a prompt to confirm which party bears licence fees under the contract.

•   •   •

Source: Ministerial Decision No. 37 of 2026 of the Ministry of Information, dated 8 September 2026; Kuwait Al-Youm Issue 1808, page A57, dated 13 September 2026.

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact WEFAQ Law Firm.