English text status

English translation published by the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission. The Arabic text published in the Official Gazette remains the legal reference in the event of any discrepancy.

Practical summary

The general place-of-Supply rule for Services follows the Bahrain-resident Taxable supplier unless the customer is Taxable and VAT-registered in another Implementing State, in which case it follows the customer.

Who should read this?

Service providers and customers in domestic, GCC and cross-border transactions.

Why does it matter?

The place may follow the supplier or customer depending on status and residence, but the special rules in Articles (17) and (18) must be checked first.

General Services ruleSupplier or customer residenceSpecial-rule override

Current text

The place of Supply of Services shall be in the Kingdom if the taxable Supplier is resident in it, provided that the Customer is not a Taxable Person and is not registered for Tax purposes in any other Implementing State; and otherwise the place of Supply of Services shall be the Customer’s place of residence.

Apply the general Services rule

  1. 1

    Identify the VAT residence of supplier and customer.

  2. 2

    Confirm the customer's Taxable and registration status.

  3. 3

    First exclude a special rule under Articles (17) or (18).

  4. 4

    Confirm current Implementing-State treatment in NBR guidance.

Connected provisions

Official guides and tools

Illustrative example by Madar

Service between two businesses

A Bahrain supplier does not alone settle the place of Supply. Customer status and residence and any property, digital, transport or other special rule must also be checked.

Questions to help you apply it

  • Where are the supplier and customer resident for VAT?
  • Is the customer Taxable and registered in an Implementing State?
  • Does a special place rule apply?