Kuwait tightens public health and digital advertising oversight: what beauty operators, brands, and influencers need to know through 2026

3 min 39 sec January 18, 2026 (Edited)

Kuwait is advancing significant regulatory reforms that will reshape the operating environment for consumer-facing businesses in the beauty, wellness, and digital marketing sectors.

Two developments sit at the forefront:

• A comprehensive guide on health requirements for salons, spas, and beauty parlours issued under Ministerial Resolution No. 194/2025 and published in the official gazette, and
• A forthcoming Media Law that is expected to introduce mandatory licensing for social media influencers who promote products and services online. Together, these measures will have operational, contractual, and enforcement implications through 2026 for Kuwait based operators and the regional brands that engage them.

New health rules for salons and spas

The Ministry of Health’s new health requirements guide, described by the Ministry as a “qualitative leap” in sector standards, reportedly includes more than 130 detailed obligations for health facilities, salons, spas, and beauty parlours. The framework targets core public health priorities and infection prevention, sterilisation, waste management, air quality, and employee health. It is positioned to align Kuwait’s personal care industry with recognised international best practice. In practical terms, the rules will drive changes to day-to-day operations, including stricter sterilisation protocols for tools and equipment, improved ventilation standards, mandatory hygiene training, and tighter controls over cosmetic products and spa facilities.

Compliance deadline and enforcement

Operators face a hard compliance deadline of 1 March 2026. Between now and then, salons and spas should treat compliance as a structured programme: auditing premises and workflows, upgrading equipment, amending policies, and retraining staff. Post deadline, authorities have signaled a calibrated but firm enforcement posture. The Ministry of Health, working with other competent authorities, has indicated that sanctions for noncompliance may include fines, temporary suspension, or closure, with joint inspection and monitoring teams overseeing both initial implementation and ongoing adherence.

Forthcoming Media Law and influencer licensing

In parallel to the public health measures, Kuwait is progressing a comprehensive Media Law that will overhaul licensing and conduct rules for audiovisual, digital, and social media activities. A central feature is mandatory licensing for celebrities and social media influencers who engage in paid promotions, endorsements, or advertisements online. The policy intent is to address misleading promotions and fraud, particularly in sensitive sectors such as real estate, health, and financial services, while strengthening consumer protection and advertising accountability. The draft framework reportedly devotes dedicated chapters to advertising, sets out conditions for influencer licensing, and prescribes penalties for violations. (Further insights can be found in our previous publication: Kuwait Considering a Comprehensive New Media Law – Al Tamimi & Company)

Scope of the influencer licensing requirement

Under the emerging regime, influencers wishing to conduct paid advertising on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat will be required to obtain an official licence from the Ministry of Information. While the implementing mechanics remain to be finalised, applicants can expect an electronic application process requiring identity documentation, account details, and a formal undertaking to comply with commercial advertising rules. Crucially, brands and influencers will need to verify that any product or service being advertised is itself lawfully licensed or authorised, with cross checks anticipated between the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and sector regulators as relevant. Authorities have indicated that licensing obligations may be assessed by reference to an account’s audience reach and influence.

Enforcement expectations through 2026

Once enacted, the Media Law is expected to equip the Ministry of Information with expanded monitoring powers, including the ability to review influencer content and refer suspected violations to the Public Prosecution. Sanctions for operating without the requisite licence or for breaching advertising rules may include fines and other legal consequences. Public statements suggest a grace period before strict enforcement, but businesses and influencers should plan on near term application of the regime, with practical effects experienced through 2026. Regional brands relying on Kuwait based influencers should begin in to recalibrate contracting, approvals, and due diligence workflows to mitigate disruption once the law takes effect.

Why engage Al Tamimi & Company

Al Tamimi & Company’s dedicated Regulatory and Corporate structuring teams advise across the full lifecycle of consumer facing operations and digital marketing campaigns in Kuwait and the wider GCC, from licence applications and policy design to contract updates and enforcement risk management. The firm is well placed to assist salon operators, franchisors, brands and influencer agencies in assessing the impact of the new rules, conducting gap analyses, and preparing for inspections and licensing under the forthcoming Media Law.