Bahrain Introduces a Two-Dinar Exit Fee per Passenger and Raises Fuel Prices

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The Government of Bahrain has announced the introduction of a two Bahraini dinar exit fee per passenger, alongside an increase in gasoline prices and other energy tariffs, as part of its ongoing financial reform program. The measures reflect a tightening of austerity policies aimed at strengthening fiscal sustainability.

According to a decision issued by Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, all passengers departing from Bahrain International Airport, as well as transit passengers, will be subject to the two-dinar fee, officially classified as a “Passenger Name Registration Fee.” The charge has been added to the civil aviation service tariff schedule and will come into effect in April 2026, 120 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

In parallel, the Bahraini government has implemented a broad package of financial reforms, including higher prices for gasoline, electricity, and water, an increased contribution from state-owned companies to the public budget, and higher natural gas prices for industrial and manufacturing sectors. Reducing government administrative expenditures has also been identified as a key pillar of the reform package.

According to official sources, these measures are intended to reduce the budget deficit, contain fiscal pressures, and ensure the long-term sustainability of Bahrain’s economy. However, experts caution that in the short term, the policies may lead to higher living and production costs.