YOUR GUIDE TO SMARTER, HIGHER-EARNING PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Holiday Home License Dubai: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide
A Dubai holiday home licence is issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). It is mandatory for any property listed on Airbnb, Booking.com or any other short-term rental platform in Dubai. Licences are issued per property and renewed annually. This guide covers the 7-step application process, current fees (AED 1,500 to AED 3,500), required documents, the DET inspection and what to do if your property fails the first inspection. Processing time for a complete application is typically 2 to 4 weeks.
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.
The holiday home licensing regime in Dubai is managed by DET’s Holiday Homes division (formerly DTCM). Dubai has been licensing holiday homes since 2016, and the process is considerably more streamlined now than in the early years. For most properties in standard freehold zones with a straightforward ownership structure, the licence application is a documentation exercise that takes 2 to 4 weeks from submission to approval. DET enforcement sweeps since 2023 have increased, and both Airbnb and Booking.com now actively check licence numbers for Dubai listings. A valid, current licence is the non-negotiable starting point for any Dubai holiday home operation.
In short
You get a holiday home licence in Dubai by registering on the DET Holiday Homes portal, submitting the required documentation (title deed or tenancy contract, passport or Emirates ID, floor plan, NOC if required), passing a DET property inspection, and paying the annual licence fee. Standard licences cost AED 1,500 to AED 3,500 per year depending on property size. Processing time is typically 2 to 4 weeks from a complete submission. Licences are renewed annually. The tourism dirham (AED 15 per bedroom per night) must be collected from guests and remitted quarterly.
Step-by-step guide to the DET licence application
Here is the full DET holiday home licence application process step by step.
Step 1: Create your DET Holiday Homes portal account
Register on the DET Holiday Homes online portal. You need a valid email address and UAE phone number for verification. Non-residents register using a passport; UAE residents use their Emirates ID.
Step 2: Gather your documents
Standard document requirements:
Title deed (if you own the property) — issued by Dubai Land Department
Tenancy contract (if renting and subletting) — EJARI-registered, with landlord’s subletting consent attached
Copy of passport or Emirates ID
Property floor plan — scale drawing showing layout and dimensions
NOC from building management committee — required by some master developers
Operator licence documentation — if applying under a company
Step 3: Submit the application
Submit via the DET portal and pay the initial application fee. DET reviews documentation for completeness. Incomplete submissions are the most common cause of delays. Check everything before submitting.
Step 4: DET property inspection
DET schedules a property inspection after accepting the application. The inspection checks:
Physical property condition against the submitted floor plan
Minimum furnishing standards (furniture, bedding, kitchen equipment)
Safety equipment: smoke detector, fire extinguisher, first aid kit
Emergency contact information posted visibly in the property
Overall cleanliness and presentation
Common inspection failures: missing safety equipment, property not matching floor plan, furnishing below minimum standard, emergency contact sheet not posted, property not clean.
Step 5: Classification decision
Properties are classified as Standard or Deluxe. Standard is for properties meeting DET minimum requirements. Deluxe is for properties meeting higher quality criteria. Most first-time applicants receive Standard classification.
Step 6: Licence issuance and payment
After passing inspection, DET issues the formal licence and you pay the annual fee. The licence number is required for your Airbnb and Booking.com listing registration in Dubai.
Step 7: Tourism dirham registration
Register to collect and remit the Tourism Dirham (AED 15 per bedroom per night) as part of the DET portal process. This is remitted to DET quarterly.
Costs, timeline and what to expect at inspection
Licence fees by property type
Current approximate DET holiday home licence fees for 2025 and 2026:
Studio: AED 1,500 to AED 1,800 per year
1-bedroom: AED 1,800 to AED 2,200 per year
2-bedroom: AED 2,200 to AED 2,800 per year
3-bedroom and above: AED 2,800 to AED 3,500 per year
These are approximate. Exact fees depend on classification tier (Standard or Deluxe) and property specifics. Check the current DET fee schedule before applying.
Timeline
A complete, correct application typically takes 2 to 4 weeks from submission to licence issuance. Common delays:
Missing or incorrect documents: add 1 to 2 weeks
NOC from building management not obtained in advance: add 1 to 3 weeks
Failed first inspection: add 2 to 3 weeks for remediation and re-inspection
DET processing volume in peak periods: add 1 to 2 weeks
Budget 4 to 6 weeks in your launch plan.
What to do if you fail the inspection
If the property fails, DET notes the issues and schedules a re-inspection after you address them. Most failures are resolved within 1 to 2 weeks (safety equipment, cleaning, minor furnishing gaps). The re-inspection is booked through the DET portal with no additional fee in most cases.
Licence renewal
DET holiday home licences are renewed annually through the DET portal. A DET inspection may be required at renewal. Most professional management companies (including Royale Stays) manage renewal on behalf of landlords as part of the service. For the full setup guide beyond just the licence, see our guide on how to start a holiday home in Dubai.
More questions about Dubai holiday home licences
What is the difference between Standard and Deluxe classification?
Standard classification means the property meets DET minimum requirements for safety, furnishing and documentation. Deluxe means it meets a higher threshold covering amenity quality, finish standard and service levels. Deluxe carries a higher annual licence fee. Most mid-range apartment investors start with Standard. Deluxe classification may support higher nightly rates on some platforms and affects how the property appears on official DET tourism channels.
Can a non-resident get a Dubai holiday home licence?
Yes. Non-residents can apply using a passport instead of an Emirates ID. The title deed is still required in the owner's name. Most overseas investors use a licensed management company to handle the application and ongoing DET compliance, since inspection scheduling requires a local point of contact and portal correspondence is in English and Arabic.
Can I hold multiple properties on one licence?
No. DET holiday home licences are issued per property unit. Each apartment or villa requires its own individual licence, its own annual renewal and its own separate fee. If you own multiple units, each requires a separate application and inspection. Some management companies handle multiple licences under one operator agreement, which reduces the admin overhead for portfolio investors.
What happens if my property fails the DET inspection?
DET notes the specific issues and schedules a re-inspection after you resolve them. Most failures involve missing safety equipment (smoke detector, fire extinguisher, first aid kit), a property layout that does not match the submitted floor plan, or furnishing below minimum standard. These are typically resolved within 1 to 2 weeks. The re-inspection is booked through the DET portal and does not carry an additional fee for the first re-check.
Does Royale Stays handle the licence application?
Yes. DET licence filing and annual renewal are included in Royale Stays' management agreement at no additional charge. We manage the full process: document preparation, portal submission, inspection scheduling and renewal tracking. Landlords do not need to interact with the DET portal directly. We manage properties from 15% of gross rental revenue. Call +971566424239 or visit royalestays.com to discuss your property.