UAE’s Year of Family 2026: Resident families to receive free Fazaa discount memberships
Members gain access to global travel, shopping and entertainment offers
DUBAI – Families living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon be able to access a wide range of discounts and lifestyle benefits after Fazaa, in collaboration with the Ministry of Family, launched a community initiative granting free Fazaa discount memberships to resident families.
The programme coincides with the UAE’s designation of 2026 as the ‘Year of Family’, a national initiative aimed at strengthening family bonds, promoting wellbeing and reinforcing the role of families in society. Through the scheme, eligible households will receive complimentary access to a membership programme that connects users to thousands of offers across everyday services, travel and entertainment.
The initiative reflects the UAE government’s broader vision of recognising resident families as an essential part of the country’s social fabric and partners in its long-term development. Authorities say the programme also reinforces efforts to enhance social cohesion, support family stability and elevate quality of life across the community.
Community focus
Officials described the initiative as a gesture of appreciation to families who have chosen the UAE as their home, highlighting the diverse cultures and backgrounds that contribute to the country’s social landscape.
According to the Ministry of Family, the programme reflects the UAE’s commitment to creating an inclusive society built on cooperation and mutual respect. Resident families, officials said, play a key role in shaping the country’s social and economic progress while enriching its cultural identity.
Hessa Abdulrahman Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary for the Social Development Sector at the Ministry of Family, said the initiative recognises the important contribution made by families living and working in the country.
“With their dedication and cultural diversity, resident families truly enrich Emirati society and strengthen its openness and cultural identity,” she said.
She added that the wellbeing of the community begins with the wellbeing of families, noting that their happiness and stability remain central to the UAE’s long-term vision of building a cohesive and prosperous society.
Membership benefits
The free membership provides access to a large network of discounts and services designed to support daily living and leisure activities for families.
Members will be able to benefit from offers at more than 34,000 commercial outlets across the UAE and internationally. In addition, Fazaa Stores will provide markdowns on over 28,000 food and consumer products, allowing families to access reduced prices on everyday items.
The programme also extends to travel and hospitality services. Through the Fazaa Places platform, members can access accommodation deals and travel packages covering more than 500,000 hotels worldwide.
Families can also take advantage of discounts on entertainment and leisure activities through the Fazaa mobile application, where ticket prices may be reduced by up to 70 percent. Additional offers include exclusive deals on premium products and lifestyle services.
Ahmed Mohammed Buharoon, General Manager of Fazaa, said the initiative forms part of the organisation’s broader efforts to support national programmes that promote family wellbeing.
He noted that the initiative offers a variety of services covering shopping, travel and entertainment, enabling families to access practical support while also enjoying leisure opportunities.
How to apply
To facilitate the registration process, Fazaa has launched a dedicated online portal through its official website, allowing families residing in the UAE to submit applications and activate their memberships digitally.
A technical support team has been assigned to assist applicants through a call centre, helping users with enquiries and guiding them through the digital card activation process.
Eligibility requires the household to include at least one child. Once approved, families will receive access to their membership through digital cards, enabling them to begin using the available offers immediately.
Year of Family 2026
The programme forms part of the broader ‘Year of Family 2026’ initiative, which aims to strengthen the role of families in society and encourage values of solidarity, cooperation and social participation.
Officials say such initiatives are designed to empower resident families and support their stability while encouraging active participation in the community. They also reflect the UAE’s longstanding approach to social development inspired by the vision of the country’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which emphasised respect for people, human dignity and coexistence.
Buharoon said the new membership programme also aims to reinforce a sense of belonging among families living in the UAE while recognising their contributions across multiple sectors of development.
The free Fazaa memberships will remain valid throughout the Year of Family 2026 and are set to expire at the end of the year.