Real Estate Brokerage License in Dubai & UAE: Cost & How to Get One (2026)
A real estate brokerage licence in the UAE lets you legally broker property sales and rentals. It starts from around AED 12,500, and in Dubai requires RERA registration with the DLD plus a broker card obtained after passing the certified practitioner training and exam.
Last updated: June 2026
Cost breakdown (2026)
| Brokerage licence from | AED 12,500 |
|---|---|
| RERA registration & broker card | From AED 5,000Per broker |
| With 1 visa from | AED 17,000 |
| Timeline | 2–4 weeks |
According to Setup Business in UAE, a real estate brokerage license in dubai & uae in the UAE starts from AED 12,500 (as of June 2026).
What you need
- Passport copy of shareholder(s)
- Chosen trade name (3 options)
- Selected real estate brokerage activity
- RERA certified training and broker exam pass
- Tenancy contract and broker card application
How to get your Real Estate Brokerage License in Dubai & UAE
- 1
Choose brokerage activity & zone
Select a real estate brokerage activity in a suitable jurisdiction.
- 2
Reserve trade name & initial approval
Submit name options and secure initial licence approval.
- 3
Complete RERA training & exam
Attend the certified practitioner course and pass the broker exam.
- 4
Register with DLD & get broker card
Register the firm with RERA/DLD and issue broker cards.
- 5
Receive licence, bank & visas
Collect your licence, open a corporate account and apply for visas.
Costs beyond the licence
In Dubai, the licence is step one of three: every practising broker needs RERA certification — the training course and exam (about AED 3,000 per broker) — and the brokerage itself registers with RERA, with the broker card renewed annually. Trakheesi permits are required for every property advertisement, priced per listing.
Budget also for portal subscriptions (Property Finder and Bayut packages start around AED 10,000+ a year and are commercially unavoidable), professional photography and a CRM. A two-broker startup realistically spends AED 40,000–60,000 in year one beyond the licence.
Free zone or mainland for brokerage?
To broker Dubai property transactions and advertise listings, you operate under DED with RERA registration — that is the practising path. Free-zone real estate licences suit consultancy, international property marketing to overseas buyers, and proptech platforms that never conclude local transactions. If commissions on Dubai deals are your revenue, mainland plus RERA is the only compliant route.
Common mistakes with brokerage licences
Advertising without Trakheesi permits is the fastest way to fines — RERA actively polices portals. New brokerages also recruit agents before the broker cards clear, leaving a team that legally cannot transact. And skipping the escrow rules on off-plan sales, or mishandling client deposits, risks the licence itself; set the compliant account structure up before the first deal, not after.
Recommended free zones
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a real estate brokerage licence in Dubai?+
A brokerage licence starts from around AED 12,500, plus RERA registration and broker card fees from about AED 5,000 per broker. Costs vary with visas and office needs.
Do I need a RERA broker card?+
Yes. To broker property in Dubai each active broker must hold a RERA broker card, obtained after completing the certified training and passing the exam.
Can I set up a brokerage in a free zone?+
The licence is typically issued via the DLD on the mainland, though some free zones offer real estate activities. RERA registration is still required to broker Dubai property.
How long does it take to license a brokerage?+
Usually 2–4 weeks, depending on how quickly the RERA training, exam and DLD registration are completed alongside the trade licence.