What changed
Since 1 June 2026, Dubai’s Salik toll gates and Parkin parking meters have applied 5% VAT on top of their tariffs, in line with UAE federal tax rules. The change touches every driver who crosses a Salik gate or pays for street or garage parking in Dubai.
| Charge | Before VAT | After VAT (from 1 June 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Salik — peak hours (6–10am, 4–8pm) | AED 6.00 | AED 6.30 |
| Salik — off-peak (10am–4pm, 8pm–1am) | AED 4.00 | AED 4.20 |
| Salik — night (1–6am) | Free (unchanged) | |
| Parkin — standard zone (example) | AED 4.00 | AED 4.20 |
| Salik tag — in person | AED 100 (unchanged) | |
| Salik tag — online | AED 120 (unchanged) | |
Sources: Khaleej Times and The National both confirm these figures, based on Salik’s own announcement.
What this actually costs you
Take a driver who crosses four Salik gates a day during peak hours. At the old rate that was AED 24/day, or about AED 504 a month. At the new VAT-inclusive rate it’s AED 25.20/day — about AED 529.20 a month, an increase of roughly AED 25 a month from VAT alone. Off-peak commuters see a smaller jump: four off-peak crossings a day now cost AED 16.80 instead of AED 16.00, about AED 17 more a month.
These are illustrative figures based on a fixed daily crossing pattern — use the Salik Calculator to work out your own monthly toll cost, or the Car Running Cost Calculator to see how it fits into your total cost of ownership.
The retrospective VAT, and why you don’t owe anything
Separately from the June change, Salik confirmed that 5% VAT should have applied to toll revenue going back to July 2022, under UAE tax rules that were already in force. Reports put the resulting liability at roughly AED 471 million. Importantly, this is being settled between Salik and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority — motorists are not being billed for any past crossings, and no back-payment is required from drivers.
Does this affect Darb in Abu Dhabi?
The VAT change reported in June 2026 covers Salik (Dubai) and Parkin (Dubai parking); at the time of writing we haven’t found an equivalent official VAT announcement for Darb, Abu Dhabi’s toll system. If that changes, we’ll update this page.
Sources
- Khaleej Times — VAT on Salik usage: how much more will motorists pay
- The National — Dubai’s Salik and Parkin to add 5% VAT on road toll and parking fees
- Salik.ae — official announcement
Published 12 September 2026 by DriveCarCost.com, based on the sources above. Estimates only — see our Disclaimer and Data Sources.