Green Key is an international sustainability certification programme for tourism establishments. The certificate is awarded to establishments that have been assessed against Green Key’s published criteria, developed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in consultation with external relevant stakeholders. The criteria cover various areas including environmental practices, social responsibility, sustainability education and operational management.

The assessment process includes a review of documented evidence and an on-site audit based on a representative sample of evidence to determine whether the establishment meets the applicable criteria at the time of assessment. Regular assessments and periodic renewal requirements encourage continuous improvement in the areas covered by the programme.

Green Key is available to hotels, hostels, small accommodations, campsites, holiday parks, conference centres, restaurants, and attractions.

If you are a hotel or other tourism establishment interested in joining the Green Key programme, we first encourage you to make yourself familiar with the Green Key criteria and application process.

If you are evaluating whether the Green Key certification is the right fit for your establishment, the following points outline the key benefits of participating in the Green Key programme:

• Meeting evolving guest expectations: Modern travellers increasingly expect tourism establishments to demonstrate a genuine and proactive commitment to sustainability. Green Key helps you respond credibly to these rising demands.

• Providing a structured framework for sustainability: The programme offers a clear, systematic approach that supports establishments in integrating sustainable practices into their daily operations.

• Reducing operational costs: Through improved resource efficiency—such as optimising energy and water consumption—Green Key can contribute to significant cost savings over time.

• Gaining recognised, independent validation: Your establishment’s sustainability efforts are acknowledged by an internationally respected, non-profit organisation, enhancing both your credibility and your competitive advantage.

Green Key Criteria from October 2026 to December 2031

The following will guide you through the key documents and help you understand:

• Whether your establishment is eligible for Green Key certification

• Which category your establishment belongs to

• Which criteria apply to your establishment

• How the certification requirements increase over time

Step 1: Identify your establishment category

Green Key criteria have been developed for the following six categories:

To determine which category your establishment should apply under, you should first review the definition of the Green Key establishment categories.

These definitions explain the type of operations, services, and facilities that fall under each category.

In most cases, an establishment will apply under one main category, which reflects their primary activity and core service offer. However, some establishments may also operate services that fall under additional Green Key categories, for example, a conference centre with an internally managed restaurant. In such cases, the establishment will apply under the main category, while additional criteria from other relevant categories apply.

Download the definition of establishments eligible in each category here: Category Definitions

Step 2: Review the Green Key Criteria

The Green Key criteria and their explanatory notes for the period 1 October 2026 – 31 December 2031 have been developed for the six Green Key categories and cover the following 7 criteria areas.

The criteria describe what your establishment must do in order to receive the Green Key certification. The explanatory notes provide additional guidance on how each criterion should be interpreted.

You can download PDF files for the criteria and explanatory notes 2026-2031 and self-assessments for the different categories below.

Step 3: Use the Green Key criteria support documents

In addition to the criteria catalogue, and the Green Key toolbox (available for applicant establishments), two additional documents will help you understand how the criteria apply to your establishment.

This Scope of Certification document explains which services and facilities are included in the certification. Download the document here.

The Glossary document provides definitions of key terms and concepts used in the Green Key criteria, helping you interpret the requirements correctly. Download the document here.

Step 4: Understand conformity with imperative and guideline criteria

The Green Key criteria catalogue consists of imperative and guideline criteria. An applicant establishment must conform will all imperative criteria and an increasing number of guideline criteria during the years of re-certification:

The certification is valid for two years, after which establishments must apply for recertification.

Notes on the transition period from Green Key criteria 2022-2026 to 2026-2031

With the introduction of the Green Key Criteria 2026–2031, a transition period will apply to ensure a smooth change from the previous criteria set. 

Any establishment applying the first time for the Green Key Certification, need to apply for the new Green Key Criteria 2026–2031

Re-applicants (Re-certification)

During the transition from the Green Key Criteria 2022–2026 to the Green Key Criteria 2026–2031, establishments applying for recertification may have two options:

• apply for recertification using the previous Green Key Criteria 2022–2026 if the current certification expires before or by end of September 2026, or

• apply directly under the new Green Key Criteria 2026–2031 if you wish to adopt the new criteria or if the current certification expires after end of September 2026.

To help you navigate the changes between the criteria, a comparison of the old and new criteria can be downloaded here.

Certification Process from October 2026

Green Key certification process in five steps

This page will guide you through the certification process, which consists of five parts:

1. Submit the application documents
2. On-site certification audit
3. Certification decision
4. Ongoing conformity during the certification period
5. Renewal of certification

STEP 1: Submit the application documents

Before the official certification process starts, an establishment expresses interest in Green Key certification.

Application process

1. The establishment contacts Green Key Qatar to express interest.
2. Green Key Qatar reviews the eligibility of the establishment.
3. Eligible establishments receive:

• • information about the criteria and certification process
  • details about the required documentation
  • access to the online application tool

Application requirements

The establishment must:

• Sign and return the management agreement
• Pay the Green Key participation fee
• Complete the online application
• Submit the required supporting documents

Green Key Qatar reviews the submitted materials to ensure that all required information has been provided and to confirm the scope of certification.

STEP 2: On-site certification audit

Once the application has been reviewed by the Certification Body, a third-party auditor will be assigned to conduct an on-site certification audit.

Scheduling the audit

The auditor contacts the establishment to schedule the audit date.

The applicant establishment pays the annual Certification Body fee and the auditor costs

Before the on-site audit, the auditor receives all application documents from Green Key Management.

Audit process

The on-site certification audit typically includes:

1. Opening meeting
2. Document verification (may also be conducted in advance)
3. Visual inspection of the establishment
4. Audit summary and closing discussion

The onsite audit usually takes 2–6 hours, depending on the size and number of employees of the establishment.

After the audit, the auditor prepares an audit report describing the findings.

Possible outcomes

A: Full conformity

• The audit report is sent to the Certification Body for final review and decision.

 B: 1–5 non-conformities

• The establishment must submit additional evidence addressing the non-conformities.
• Documentation must be submitted within two months.
• The auditor reviews the additional evidence and sends the audit report to the Certification Body for final review and decision.

C: More than 5 non-conformities

• The establishment must submit additional evidence and undergo a follow-up on-site audit.
• Documentation must be submitted within two months.
• The auditor reviews the additional evidence, conducts the follow-up audit and sends the audit report to the Certification Body for final review and decision.
• Please note that the establishment must cover additional audit and travel costs.

STEP 3: Certification decision

The Certification Body reviews the final audit report and takes a decision as to whether the establishment fully conforms with the required Green Key criteria.

Green Key Qatar informs the establishment and if certification is granted, Green Key Qatar provides the certificate, valid for two years.

STEP 4: Ongoing conformity during the certification period

During the certification period, the establishment must continuously conform with Green Key requirements.

If the establishment cannot maintain conformity, it must inform Green Key immediatelyso the certification can be temporarily suspended.

Handling complaints

If complaints are received during the certification period:

• The establishment must respond to enquiries from the Certification Body.
• If the complaint is confirmed, the establishment must correct the non-conformities.
• Certification may remain suspended until conformity is restored.

Surveillance activities

Between 8–14 months after certification, the establishment must undergo surveillance activities.

This includes providing updated documentation demonstrating ongoing compliance with selected Green Key criteria identified by Green Key.

If surveillance activities reveal non-conformities:

• The establishment must correct the issues.
• Certification may remain suspended until compliance is restored.

Certified establishments must also pay the annual Green Key levy and annual Certification Body fee to maintain certification.

STEP 5: Renewal of the certification

Duration of the certification process

The Green Key certification process typically takes 4–6 months.

The exact timeline depends on factors such as:

• The establishment’s readiness to meet the criteria

• Timely submission of complete documentation

• Payment of participation fees

• Processing time by Green Key Management

• Auditor availability for on-site audits

• Follow-up after the on-site audits in case of non-conformities

• Time required for the Certification Body’s decision

Transition period 2026-2028

With the introduction of the new scheme, Green Key is changing the certificate validity period from 12 months to 24 monthsand adjusting the audit frequency.

During the transition period (1 October 2026 – 31 December 2027), the following cases apply:

Case 1: New applicants

• Establishments must conform with the new criteria.
• An on-site auditis conducted by a third-party auditor.
• Certification is granted by the Certification Body.
• The certificate is valid for two years.

Case 2: Re-certification with on-site audit required

• Establishments must conform with new criteriaand transition requirementsrelated to guideline criteria.
• An on-site auditis conducted by a third-party auditor.
• Certification is granted by the Certification Body.
• The certificate is valid for two years.

Case 3: Re-certification with off-site audit required

• Establishments must demonstrate conformity with selected criteriathrough surveillance activitiesunder the new system.
• A desktop reviewof compliance is conducted by Green Key.
• The Certification Body validates and confirms the certification.
• The certificate is extended for one year.

Participation Costs 1 October 2026 - 31 December 2027

COSTS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE GREEN KEY PROGRAMME QATAR 

With the changes in Green Key’s criteria and certification processes taking effect 1 October 2026, the participation costs are changing accordingly.  

The Green Key Qatar management will charge the Green Key levy (annual charge), see point 1 below.

The Certification Body will charge the Certification Body fee (annual charge), see point 2 below. The Certification Body will also charge for the auditor costs (charge every second year), see point 3 below.

The certified establishment can choose to purchase additional material, see point 4 below.

1. Green Key levy for establishments in Qatar

This is the annual Green Key levy valid for the period 1 October 2026 - 31 December 2027 for establishments in Qatar:

The invoice covering the Green Key levy is in general sent to the establishment after first submission of the application form and management agreement. The Green Key levy must be paid before the further handing of the application documents. During the certification period, the Green Key levy must be paid in connection with the surveillance activities.

Please note that the Green Key levy is non-refundable, including in cases of certification not achieved, and in cases of suspension, withdrawal, or termination of certification.

In the event that the Green Key levy will not be paid in the second year of the certification period, the certification will be suspended until payment is received.

2. Certification Body fee

The Certification Body (in charge of the certification review and decisions) will charge the establishment directly an annual Certification Body fee. The Certification Body fee must be paid by the establishment ahead of the certification decision. During the certification period, the Certification Body fee must be paid in connection with the surveillance activities.

Please note that the annual Certification Body fee is non-refundable, including in cases of certification not achieved, and in cases of suspension, withdrawal, or termination of certification.

The annual Certification Body fee for 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2027 will amount to:

• EUR 130.90 for establishments in the categories: hotels, hostels, campsites, holiday parks and conference centres.

• EUR 75.00 for establishments in the categories: small accommodations, restaurants and attractions.

3. Auditor costs

In connection with the Certification Body fee charge ahead of certification, this invoice will also include the auditor costs. The auditor costs are therefore charged every second year and will depend on the hourly cost of the assigned auditor and the audit duration.

The hourly cost of the auditor will be communicated by the Certification Body. The audit duration depends on the type of establishment and number of full-time staff at the establishment:

The total audit duration includes on-site audit time, preparation ahead of the on-site audit, reporting after the on-site audit and follow-up in case of non-conformities.

The travel costs in connection with on-site audits include travel (economy class ticket) and visa (if applicable). If accommodation is needed, the auditor will book a nearby budget accommodation and the expense for accommodation will be included in the travel costs. If the total travel costs exceed QAR 2,000, the Certification Body will first seek approval from the applicant establishment before confirming the travel. Please note that meal costs and any other additional expenses are not included within the QAR 2,000 travel cost limit.

Please note that if the establishment cancels or postpones an agreed date for an audit less than 30 days before the scheduled audit date, the auditor is entitled to a full compensation of the audit fee and travel costs and a potential penalty fee to cover reasonable losses. Should the auditor cancel the audit less than a month before the scheduled audit date, the establishment is entitled to a full refund of the already paid audit costs by the auditor.

4. Purchase of Green Key Material

After certification, the establishment can purchase a Green Key plaque, a Green Key flag and other material that can be displayed during the certification period. Please contact us for more information.

Additional information under www.greenkey.global

Policies

Here you can download Green Key International's participation policies.

Sustainability Hive / Green Key Qatar and its employees confirm to comply with Green Key International's Policies

• Policy on impartiality, objectivity, confidentiality, non-discrimination, anti-bribery and anti-corruption.

• Certification Agreement between the establishment and the Certification Body.

• Policy on complaints and appeals.

• Policy on suspension and withdrawal.

• Policy regarding the use of the Green Key Trademark by participating establishments.

• Branding Guidelines.