Kuwait advertising rules for Meta and Google ads (2026)
Kuwait regulates ads through media, consumer protection and sector regulators. Healthcare, pharmacy and telehealth, Supplements, Cosmetics, skincare and aesthetics need a permit or licence first. Influencers and creators face their own licensing and disclosure rules.
General ad rules in Kuwait
Media Regulation Decree-Law 102/2026 published 2026-10-04 (Kuwait Alyoum issue 1811). It covers social media advertisers and promoters and repeals Law 3/2006, Law 61/2007 and Law 8/2016. In force 6 months after publication. Executive regulations due within 6 months, then 6 months to comply.
In force: approx 2027-04 · Penalty: Fines and administrative sanctions (amounts not reported) · arabtimesonline.com (summary)
Influencer and creator rules
Licence needed for promotional content aimed at Kuwait (citizens, expats and visitors). Valid 2 years. Ads must identify themselves clearly as ads. The Minister may set rules on reviews, competitions, gifts and AI. Penalties: warning, or suspension or withdrawal up to 6 months.
arynews.tv (summary)
Advertised products must be licensed with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Joint approval by MoI and MOCI.
gulfnews.com (summary)
Rules by industry
Healthcare, pharmacy and telehealth Permit required
- MOH Ministerial Resolution 9/2025: prior authorisation from the Drug Inspection Department for ads on pharmacies, medicines, health products, supplements, and medical or cosmetic preparations, on all media including influencer accounts
- No prices, discounts or instalment plans without approval
- No superlatives
- No photos of patients or practitioners in pharmacies
Risky phrases: best
الأفضل
fastest
الأسرع
safest
الأكثر أماناً
Penalties: Reported as up to 3 years prison and/or KWD 3,000 (Laws 28/1996 and 70/2020). Another report says KWD 100 to 1,000 administrative fines.
Cosmetics, skincare and aesthetics Permit required
- MOH prior authorisation for cosmetic preparations
Arabic words that raise red flags
Arabic versions of common risky claims. These are standard translations, not words taken from regulator texts. The policy checker scans Arabic copy for them.
| Arabic | Meaning | Why it's risky |
|---|---|---|
| مضمون | guaranteed | guarantee |
| ضمان | guarantee | guarantee |
| أرباح مضمونة | guaranteed profits | guaranteed returns |
| عائد مضمون | guaranteed return | guaranteed returns |
| بدون مخاطر | without risk | risk-free |
| خالٍ من المخاطر | risk-free | risk-free |
| آمن تماماً | completely safe | safe claim |
| علاج | cure/treatment | cure |
| يشفي | heals/cures | cure |
| شفاء تام | complete recovery | guaranteed recovery |
| معجزة | miracle | miracle |
| سحري | magic | magic remedy |
| مجاني / مجاناً | free | free |
| ١٠٠٪ | 100% | 100% |
| الأفضل | the best | superlative |
| رقم ١ / الأول | number one | superlative/ranking |
| الأكثر أماناً | safest | superlative |
| الأسرع | fastest | superlative |
| فريد من نوعه | one of a kind | exclusivity |
| حصري | exclusive | exclusivity |
| نتائج فورية | instant results | instant results |
| خسارة الوزن بسرعة | lose weight fast | rapid weight loss |
| تخسيس | slimming | weight loss |
| حرق الدهون | fat burning | weight loss |
| بدون آثار جانبية | no side effects | no side effects |
| بدون وصفة طبية | without prescription | Rx drug promotion |
| معتمد من وزارة الصحة | approved by Ministry of Health | unverified approval claim |
| طبيعي ١٠٠٪ | 100% natural | natural claim |
| قبل وبعد | before and after | before/after imagery |
| موافقة فورية | instant approval | instant approval |
| بدون فوائد | interest-free | 0% interest |
| بدون كفيل | no guarantor needed | easy credit |
| بدون أوراق | no documents | easy credit |
| ثراء سريع | get rich quick | get rich quick |
| دخل سلبي | passive income | investment hype |
| لفترة محدودة | limited time | false urgency |
| لا تفوّت الفرصة | don't miss the chance | FOMO/urgency |
| اربح نقداً | win cash | gambling |
| مراهنات / رهان | betting / bet | gambling |
| كازينو | casino | gambling |
| يانصيب | lottery | gambling (licensed only in UAE) |
| كحول / مشروبات كحولية | alcohol / alcoholic drinks | alcohol |
| سجائر إلكترونية / فيب | e-cigarettes / vape | tobacco/vape |
| تبييض البشرة | skin whitening | cosmetic claim |
Notes
In 2024 the MOH shut 33 clinics for advertising breaches (https://kuwaittimes.com/ministry-of-health-shuts-33-clinics-over-advert-breach/).
Plan a launch in Kuwait Check ad copy
Other markets
A guide, not legal advice. Rules change often and some sources are law-firm or news summaries. Check the linked source before you launch. Data last checked 5 October 2026.