Qatar has undergone multiple legislative developments in the regulation of advertisements, transitioning from simple laws governing billboards to comprehensive systems that include digital advertisements and commemorative structures.
Legislators responded to the economic and urban transformations in the country, as well as major events it hosted, such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This evolution shifted the law from a basic regulatory framework to a system capable of accommodating the technological and commercial advancements shaping the nation.
Law No. (4) of 1980
Issued during Qatar’s modernization and urban expansion, Law No. (4) of 1980 established the foundational regulations for advertising.
It mandated that individuals and businesses obtain prior authorization before placing advertisements and required the use of Arabic as the primary language, allowing other languages as secondary additions. The law also restricted advertisements in specific locations, such as places of worship and government buildings.
The law imposed financial and penal sanctions on violators, including fines of up to 1,000 Qatari riyals and potential imprisonment for up to 14 days.
Although this legislation marked an initial step in regulating advertising, it did not address digital advertisements or modern media, making it unsuitable for the country’s future transformations.
Law No. (1) of 2012
With the rise of digital technology and the increasing importance of digital advertising, it became necessary to amend the legislative framework to align with these changes.
Law No. (1) of 2012 expanded the definition of advertisements to include digital, visual, and audio media alongside traditional billboards.
The law required advertisers to provide detailed technical specifications for advertisements and their display methods before obtaining a license. It also imposed a maximum 15-day period for authorities to process licensing requests.
Financial penalties increased significantly, with fines reaching up to 20,000 Qatari riyals compared to the previous maximum of 1,000 riyals.
Additionally, the law established a specialized committee responsible for overseeing the compliance of advertisements with aesthetic and cultural standards.
This legislation addressed shortcomings in the 1980 law but did not explicitly regulate unauthorized advertising during major events, an issue later addressed in the 2021 law.
Law No. (10) of 2021
As Qatar prepared to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, stricter regulations were required to govern commercial advertisements, particularly to protect the rights of official sponsors.
Law No. (10) of 2021 imposed restrictions on unauthorized advertisements near stadiums and key event locations, allowing commercial advertisements only with FIFA’s approval.
The law also reinforced the protection of trademarks associated with the tournament, preventing their unauthorized exploitation. It introduced significant financial penalties for violations and mandated the immediate removal of non-compliant advertisements without compensation.
While this law played a crucial role in protecting commercial rights, its primary focus was on the World Cup rather than introducing permanent changes to advertisement regulations within the country.
Law No. (5) of 2025
With ongoing urban expansion, the need to regulate commemorative structures alongside traditional advertisements became essential, leading to the issuance of Law No. (5) of 2025.
This law expanded the scope of legislation to encompass all advertising and cultural installations in public spaces, assigning the Ministry of Culture the responsibility for granting licenses and ensuring that commemorative structures align with the national identity.
The law imposed stricter financial penalties, with fines reaching 30,000 Qatari riyals for unlicensed advertisements, while violations of commemorative structure regulations could result in fines of up to 1,000,000 Qatari riyals, along with the possibility of imprisonment for up to six months.
Additionally, the approval period for licenses was reduced to just five days in an effort to streamline administrative procedures and enhance efficiency in the licensing process.
Analysis
When comparing the various laws issued between 1980 and 2025, several key trends in regulatory development can be observed.
One of the most notable trends is the increasing restrictions imposed on advertisements over time, along with higher financial penalties and stricter licensing procedures.
The scope of regulations is no longer limited to traditional billboards but has expanded to include digital advertisements and commemorative structures in response to technological and urban developments.
The approval period for licenses has been gradually reduced, shifting from open-ended procedures under the 1980 law to a 15-day deadline in the 2012 law, and further down to five days in the 2025 law, reflecting an effort to improve regulatory efficiency.
There has been a growing emphasis on protecting trademark rights, particularly during major events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a priority that was clearly reflected in the 2021 law.
Qatar’s advertising regulations have undergone significant transformations over the past decades, evolving from general legislation focused on billboards to a comprehensive regulatory framework encompassing all forms of traditional and digital advertisements, as well as commemorative structures.
These laws have become increasingly complex over time, with stricter penalties and an expanded scope of regulatory provisions, particularly regarding intellectual property rights and urban planning.
Despite these developments, some challenges remain, including the need to establish precise aesthetic standards for advertisements and commemorative structures, as well as greater clarity in certain executive regulations, particularly concerning digital advertisements.
The evolution of these regulations reflects the ongoing need to adapt to commercial and technological changes. It is likely that the legal framework will continue to be updated in the future to maintain a balance between advertising freedoms and the preservation of the country’s urban landscape.
