Real Estate Business Setup, Dubai, UAE

Reviewed by Shobhna Thapa, Legal Advisor

How to start a real estate business in Dubai, UAE

Brokerage, property management or development, each runs through RERA alongside your trade licence, not instead of it.

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Starting a real estate business in Dubai means a mainland trade licence covering brokerage, property management or development, plus registration with RERA (the Real Estate Regulatory Agency). Individual brokers working under the company also need their own RERA certification, separate from the company registration itself, a step worth planning for early rather than discovering late.

Why It Matters

Why a growing market still needs the licensing basics right

Dubai's property market has drawn steady demand for years, but a real estate business here runs through RERA (the Real Estate Regulatory Agency), not just a standard trade licence. Brokers need individual RERA certification alongside the company licence, a step generic business-setup guides often gloss over.

Choose Your Route

Types of real estate businesses

Brokerage

Buying, selling and leasing on behalf of clients, the most common real estate business type.

Property Management

Managing rental properties and tenant relationships on behalf of owners.

Development

Building and selling property directly, with its own capital and regulatory requirements.

Beyond the Trade Licence

RERA requirements you'll need

Company RERA Registration

The brokerage itself registers with RERA alongside the trade licence.

Individual Broker Certification

Each broker working under the licence needs their own RERA certification.

Trakheesi Permit

Property listings and advertisements typically need a Trakheesi permit number to be legally marketed.

Escrow Compliance (Development)

Developers selling off-plan property have specific escrow account obligations.

Getting Started

Real estate business setup: the step-by-step process

Choose Your Business Type

Brokerage, property management or development.

Reserve a Trade Name

Submit your preferred company name for approval.

Get Initial Approval

The DED reviews your application and activity.

Register With RERA

Company-level registration alongside your trade licence.

Certify Your Brokers

Individual RERA certification for each broker working under the licence.

Submit Documents and Pay Fees

File the finalized paperwork and settle licence and registration fees.

Receive Your Trade Licence

Issued once approval and payment are complete.

Open a Bank Account and Launch

Open your corporate account and begin operations.

Budgeting

Requirements and cost

Item	Detail
Licence fee (starting)	From approx. AED 15,000, business type-dependent*
RERA registration	Additional fee for company registration and individual broker certification*
Trakheesi permits	Per-listing fee for property advertising, confirmed by RERA*
Corporate tax	Standard UAE mainland corporate tax rules apply, confirm with a tax advisor
Nationality requirement	Open to any nationality

*Indicative only, based on published starting rates at the time of writing. Confirm current RERA fees before publishing this page.

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Frequently Asked, and Ready When You Are

Real estate business setup, answered, plus a direct line to our team

What licence do I need for a real estate business in Dubai?+

A real estate brokerage or real estate services trade licence, issued for the mainland, plus registration with RERA (the Real Estate Regulatory Agency). Brokers working under the licence also need their own individual RERA certification.

Do individual brokers need their own certification?+

Yes. Each broker working under a real estate brokerage needs individual RERA certification, separate from the company's own trade licence and RERA registration. This is a step some generic setup guides skip.

How much does it cost to start a real estate business?+

Costs vary by business type, brokerage, property management or development each carry different licensing and capital requirements. Ask your advisor for a breakdown by business type rather than one blanket figure.

Can a foreigner own 100% of a real estate business in Dubai?+

Yes. Real estate brokerage and related activities are generally eligible for 100% foreign ownership on the UAE mainland.

What documents do I need to start a real estate business?+

Passport copies and photographs for shareholders and managers, a completed application form, and RERA certification documents for brokers working under the licence.

How long does it take to set up a real estate business?+

The trade licence itself can often be issued within one to two weeks once documents are ready. RERA registration and individual broker certification add additional time, plan for a multi-week combined timeline.

What types of real estate businesses can I set up?+

Brokerage (buying, selling and leasing on behalf of clients), property management, and real estate development each fit different licence categories and regulatory requirements. Confirm the right one for your specific model.

What is the corporate tax treatment for a real estate business?+

Standard UAE mainland corporate tax rules apply, since real estate brokerage is a mainland trading activity. Confirm your specific position with a tax advisor.

Do I need to register for VAT?+

If your taxable supplies and imports exceed the mandatory VAT registration threshold set by the Federal Tax Authority, yes. Real estate transactions can have specific VAT treatment depending on the property type, confirm with a tax advisor.

Can I renew my real estate licence and RERA registration together?+

They generally renew on related but separate timelines, both the trade licence and RERA registration need annual renewal. Confirm the current process and any updated broker certification requirements with your advisor.

Talk to an advisor

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