Airbnb License Dubai: STR Permit Requirements & Compliance (2026)
An Airbnb licence in Dubai (formally a DTCM holiday home permit) is required before you can rent any residential property on short-term platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com. The permit costs AED 370 to AED 1,270 depending on bedroom count and is renewed through the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism when it ends, at the same fee. Operating without a valid licence carries fines of up to AED 50,000.
Before registering your property, make sure you understand Airbnb licensing requirements in Dubai.
Do you need a licence for Airbnb in Dubai?
By Chris Veinbaums | Founder, Royale Stays Dubai | DTCM Licensed Operator
Published: August 2025
About our data: Figures drawn from actual booking data across Royale Stays managed properties in Dubai.
Yes. All Dubai Airbnb hosts are required to hold a DTCM holiday home permit under Law No. 41 of 2013. Operating without one carries fines of AED 10,000-50,000 per violation.
To list a property on Airbnb in Dubai, you need a holiday home licence issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Dubai classifies all short-term rental properties as holiday homes, so the Airbnb licence and the holiday home licence are the same permit. This guide is part of our Airbnb management in Dubai guide and explains what the licence requires, what it costs, and what the risks are for operating without one.
Before registering your property, make sure you understand Airbnb licensing requirements in Dubai.
In Short
Yes, every Airbnb host in Dubai must hold a valid licence issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Operating without one risks fines of up to AED 50,000, listing removal, and in serious cases a platform ban.
Why Dubai requires a licence
Dubai’s holiday home licensing system protects guests and keeps standards consistent across the short-term rental market. Licensed properties should have working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and posted emergency instructions from the first guest onward. Owners are registered with the government, creating a clear accountability trail. Guests booking licensed properties know the unit has been reviewed against a minimum standard.
What the licence covers
The DET holiday home licence covers a single unit. If you own three apartments and want to run all three as short-term rentals, you need three separate licences. The permit is tied to the property address, not the owner. Selling the property doesn’t transfer the licence: the new owner applies independently. The licence costs AED 370 for the first bedroom and AED 300 for each additional bedroom, capped at AED 1,270, and renewal costs the same. An expired licence triggers non-compliance flags and can cause Airbnb to suspend your listing until renewal is confirmed.
Displaying your permit number
Once licensed, your DET permit number must appear on your Airbnb listing and any other platform where the property is listed. Airbnb and Booking.com both require this during listing creation. Properties without a visible permit number can be flagged during platform compliance reviews and removed until the number is added.
Why Airbnb Hosts Need a License in Dubai
Dubai law requires every short-term rental property to be licensed, and the requirement applies equally to individual property owners, tenants with landlord consent, and management companies. Hosts must also meet DET safety and amenity standards: working smoke detectors, a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, and emergency instructions posted in the unit. Licensed properties are also subject to tourism reporting requirements, including collecting the tourism dirham fee from guests on each booking.
Key Rules for Airbnb Hosts in Dubai
Licence type
An Airbnb licence is technically a holiday home licence. It applies whether you rent one unit or manage multiple.
Platform compliance
- Display your DET permit number on your Airbnb listing.
- All guest check-ins must comply with UAE guest registration requirements.
Fines for non-compliance
- Up to AED 50,000 for operating without a licence.
- Repeat offences can lead to higher penalties and account suspension.
Who can apply
- Owners: direct application via the DET portal.
- Tenants: not covered here; check with your operator before listing a rented unit.
Airbnb License Costs in Dubai
The licence fee is AED 370 for the first bedroom and AED 300 for each additional bedroom, capped at AED 1,270, so most Dubai apartments pay AED 370 to AED 970. There is no separate registration charge, and renewal costs the same. The licence runs from one month up to 12 months and is renewed when it ends. Missing the renewal date results in fines and can trigger a temporary suspension of your Airbnb listing until compliance is restored.
Internal Links
For the full application process, see our guide to how to get a holiday home licence in Dubai. For a full cost breakdown, read how much is a holiday home permit in Dubai. If you want a management company to handle the DET application and compliance as part of a full-service arrangement, Royale Stays covers licensing as part of our standard management offering.
Frequently asked questions
Can I list on Airbnb in Dubai without a licence?
No. Operating without a DET holiday home licence carries fines of up to AED 50,000. Airbnb may also remove the listing during platform compliance checks. There’s no grace period for operating while an application is pending.
Is Airbnb legal in Dubai?
Yes. Airbnb is legal in Dubai as long as the host holds a valid DET holiday home permit under Law No. 41 of 2013. Operating without one is not legal and carries fines of up to AED 50,000.
Is the Airbnb licence the same as a holiday home licence?
Yes. Dubai doesn’t issue a separate Airbnb licence. All short-term rental properties are licensed as holiday homes through DET, regardless of which platform they list on.
Can tenants apply for an Airbnb licence in Dubai?
Yes, provided they have written consent from their landlord and hold a valid Ejari tenancy contract. A tenant applicant needs the landlord's written agreement to the arrangement.
How long does the licence application take?
The permit can be issued within 24 hours once the deed owner has confirmed by email and the fee is paid online.