Holiday Home License in Dubai
Dubai’s Holiday Home License allows property owners and authorized tenants to legally rent out residential units for short-term stays. This license ensures compliance with the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) rules and unlocks a lucrative opportunity in Dubai’s thriving short-term rental market.
What Is a Holiday Home License in Dubai?
A holiday home license lets you legally rent a furnished home to guests for short stays in Dubai. Any unit let for under six months at a time counts as a holiday home and needs this permit from the DET, formerly DTCM.
The rule is about the length of stay, not the platform. It applies to Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, and direct bookings the same way. Renting without a permit starts at a AED 5,000 fine and gets your listing removed.
Holiday Home Permit or Operator License?
Your first choice sets your whole cost. If you own or rent a home and manage the short-term rental yourself, you take the permit route as an individual. No trade license, no company, just a holiday home permit for each unit you rent out.
If you manage homes you do not own, or scale past what the DET allows an individual to hold, you need an operator license. That means a DET trade license and operator registration, on top of a permit for every unit. Property managers and portfolios take this route.
Permit vs Operator License
| Factor | Owner Permit | Operator License |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Self-managed units | Managing others' units |
| Trade license | Not needed | Required (DET) |
| Units | Your own | Own or managed |
| Unit permit | One per unit | One per unit |
| Visa access | None | Via trade license |
| Yearly cost | Lower | AED 10k to 15k+ |
What Your Property Needs to Qualify
Not every home can become a holiday home. The DET only permits units in approved buildings that meet furnishing and safety standards. One trap also catches many owners.
- The building or community must be approved by the DET for holiday homes
- A standard annual Ejari tenancy does not cover short stays on its own
- The home must be fully furnished with working AC, hot water, and Wi-Fi
- Fresh linen and a valid fire extinguisher are part of the standard
- You need a No Objection Certificate from the developer or owners association
- Each unit is classified, which affects its Tourism Dirham rate
Holiday Home License Cost in Dubai (2026)
The DET fees are small. A one-time registration is AED 1,520, and the annual per-unit permit runs AED 370 to 1,270 by bedroom count. The real budget is furnishing and setup.
DET Registration, One Time
AED 1,520
This one-time fee includes the AED 1,500 registration plus knowledge and innovation fees. The per-unit permit is billed separately each year.
Where the Real Budget Goes
All figures are indicative and current to early 2026. DET fees are government-set and change at their discretion, while furnishing, insurance, and management vary widely by property. RIZ & MONA Consultancy provides a personalized quote before you commit to any step.
Holiday Home Rules You Must Follow
Getting the permit is the start. Running a holiday home means meeting ongoing rules the DET enforces, and missing them brings fines even when your permit is valid.
Register guests fast
Guest passport and booking details must be logged on the DET portal within hours of check-in.
Collect Tourism Dirham
You collect the Tourism Dirham per occupied room per night and remit it to the DET.
Show your permit number
Every listing must display your valid permit number, or platforms will remove it.
Keep your classification
Your unit holds a DET classification, and you must maintain its standard to keep it.
Maintain safety kit
Smoke detectors and a valid fire extinguisher must stay in place and in date.
Renew every year
The permit renews annually, and the DET may re-inspect the unit at renewal.
How to Get a Holiday Home License
Every stage from registration to a live listing runs in the order the DET sets.
Choose your route
Decide between the individual permit and the operator license for your case.
Register on the portal
Create your account on the DET Holiday Homes portal and start the application.
Get your NOC
Obtain the developer or owners association No Objection Certificate.
Submit documents
Upload the title deed, DEWA bill, ID, and NOC for each unit you register.
Pass inspection
The DET may inspect the unit against its furnishing and safety standards.
Receive the permit
Get your permit number, add it to your listings, and start hosting.
Typical Approval
Working Days
This assumes documents are complete and no inspection is pending. When the DET schedules a physical inspection, allow two to four weeks overall.
Tip: Start the building NOC early. It is the document most likely to hold up a holiday home application, because it depends on the developer or owners association, not on you.
How Long the Permit Takes
With a complete document set, a holiday home permit is often approved in 2 to 5 working days. A required inspection or missing paperwork is what pushes it toward a few weeks.
- Portal registration is quick to complete
- The NOC is often the slowest document to get
- Document review follows a complete submission
- A physical inspection can be scheduled by the DET
- The permit number is issued once the unit passes
Banking for a Holiday Home Operator
If you run holiday homes as a licensed operator, a corporate account handles guest payments, Tourism Dirham, and payouts. Banks review the trade license and income model. RIZ & MONA Consultancy prepares your file for that review.
Banks and timelines
Banks used by Dubai operators
How long it takes
- Individual permit holders often use personal accounts, while operators need a corporate one.
- Guest payment flows and Tourism Dirham handling can draw extra questions at onboarding.
- Bank terms and minimum balances differ by bank and can change without notice.
- Banking timelines are indicative only. RIZ & MONA Consultancy cannot guarantee any bank's decision, as approval rests with the bank.
Ready to License Your Holiday Home in Dubai?
Tell us how many units you have and whether you own or manage them. We will pick your route, handle the DET steps, and send a clear, personalized quote.