How to Get a Holiday Home Licence in Dubai (2026 Guide)

Dubai’s short-term rental market is booming — but you can’t legally list a property on Airbnb, Booking.com, or Vrbo without the right permit. Any residential unit rented for less than six months at a time counts as a “holiday home” and needs a licence from the Department of Economy & Tourism (DET), the authority formerly known as DTCM.

This guide walks you through the whole process for 2026: who needs a licence, the documents, the fees, the mandatory SIRA-approved smart lock, and the ongoing rules you take on once you start hosting.

Note: DET updates its fee schedule from time to time. Always confirm the current figures on the official DET Holiday Homes portal before you apply.

Do You Need a Holiday Home Licence?

Yes — if you rent out a furnished residential unit in Dubai for short stays (under six months), you must hold a valid DET holiday home permit before accepting your first guest. This applies whether you own the property outright, bought off-plan, or are switching from a long-term tenancy to short-term letting. Every apartment or villa needs its own permit.

There are two ways to operate:

• Home Owner (self-managed): You hold the permit and handle everything — bookings, check-ins, compliance.
• Licensed Operator: A DET-licensed holiday home company manages the property for you.

Step-by-Step: The Licensing Process

The whole application runs through the DET Holiday Homes portal and can be completed remotely.

1. Secure your building NOC first. Most buildings and owners’ associations require a No Objection Certificate before you can list a unit short-term. NOCs can take one to four weeks (some buildings charge a fee or refuse), so request this early — you can’t proceed without it.
2. Log into the DET Holiday Homes portal and choose your route: Home Owner or Operator.
3. Add your unit and upload documents (list below). If you enter your DLD title deed number, many fields auto-fill.
4. Pay the registration fee and submit.
5. Get approved — usually within one to two working days if your documents are complete.
6. Self-classify your unit as Standard or Deluxe, pay the per-bedroom permit fee, then print and display your permit inside the property.

Once approved, your permit number must appear on every listing across every platform.

Documents You’ll Need

• Owner ID — Emirates ID (residents) or passport (non-residents)
• Title Deed or DLD Sale & Purchase Agreement (SPA)
• DEWA bill — less than 3 months old, in the name of the owner or licensee
• Building / developer NOC
• DET authorisation form
• Holiday home insurance covering guest liability and property damage (standard home insurance won’t cover short-term letting)

Dubai Holiday Home Licence Costs (2026)

Figures reflect publicly available 2026 information — confirm current fees on the DET portal.

The SIRA-Approved Smart Lock Requirement

This is the step that catches many first-time owners out. Every licensed holiday home in Dubai must have a SIRA-approved smart lock connected to Dubai’s “Keyless” system on the main entrance door. This lets the authorities verify guest access and keep short-term rentals properly regulated.

A standard smart lock — even a well-known international brand — usually won’t qualify unless it’s specifically SIRA-certified and Keyless-compatible. Using a non-approved lock can hold up your licence or trigger issues during a compliance check.

If you’re setting up a holiday home, sorting the lock early avoids delays. We supply and install SIRA-approved smart locks across Dubai and confirm the right compliant model for your property. Want to understand the difference first? Read our guide on SIRA-approved vs standard smart locks.

Ongoing Compliance — What You Take On

Getting the licence is step one. Staying compliant is where many operators slip up:

• Tourism Dirham: Collect it from guests (per bedroom, per night), show it as a separate line on invoices, and file with DET by the 15th of each month.
• Guest registration: Every guest must be registered with Dubai Police, with verified ID — this is one of the most actively enforced rules in 2026.
• Insurance: Keep a valid holiday home policy covering guest liability.
• Permit renewal: The renewal window opens only 30 days before expiry — miss it and the permit can’t be renewed.
• VAT: Registration is mandatory once your taxable turnover passes AED 375,000 in any 12 months.

What Happens If You Operate Without a Licence?

Enforcement tightened significantly in 2025–2026, with DET and booking platforms sharing data. Operating an unlicensed holiday home can bring fines starting around AED 5,000 and escalating up to AED 100,000, plus the risk of your property being blacklisted. Given how coordinated enforcement now is, running without a permit is both risky and hard to sustain.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Dubai holiday home licence? If your documents are complete, DET approval typically comes within one to two working days. The longest part is usually getting your building NOC, which can take one to four weeks.

Do I need a SIRA-approved smart lock for my holiday home? Yes. A SIRA-approved, Keyless-compatible smart lock on the main door is a compliance requirement for licensed holiday homes in Dubai. A standard smart lock usually won’t qualify.

How much does a Dubai holiday home licence cost? Expect a one-time DET registration of around AED 1,520 plus roughly AED 370 per bedroom per year, along with insurance, the SIRA lock, and ongoing Tourism Dirham. Confirm current fees on the DET portal.

Can I get a licence for an apartment I rent (not own)? Long-lease tenants can apply with a landlord NOC, and licensed operators can apply on an owner’s behalf. Building/owners’ association NOCs may also be required.

Do I need a separate permit for each property? Yes. Permits are issued per unit — every apartment or villa needs its own.