Airbnb license in Dubai: the DET holiday home permit, step by step (2026)
Want to list your Dubai apartment on Airbnb? You'll need a holiday home permit from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which most people call an "Airbnb license". Here's who needs one, what it costs right now, and exactly how to get it.
By Maryam, founder of Hostwise · Updated 8 October 2026 · 8 min read
Right now it's free. In an announcement on the DET Holiday Homes portal, DET confirmed that all holiday home unit permit and registration fees are fully waived from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027.
What is an "Airbnb license" in Dubai?
There's no licence issued by Airbnb itself. What people call an "Airbnb license" in Dubai is the holiday home permit issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), previously known as DTCM. Any home rented to guests on a short-term basis, whether through Airbnb, Booking.com or directly, must have one.
Each apartment or villa gets its own permit number. Airbnb and Booking.com ask Dubai hosts for this number, and hosting without one can lead to fines and your listing being removed.
Who needs one, and which type?
| You are… | What you need |
|---|---|
| An owner hosting your own home | Register as an individual owner on the DET portal and get a permit for each unit. No trade licence needed. Published guides put the limit at up to 8 units. |
| A tenant who wants to sublet short-term | Written approval (an NOC) from your landlord that explicitly allows short-term rental, plus any building approvals, then a DET permit. |
| A company managing other people's homes | A trade licence with the holiday homes activity and registration with DET as a holiday home operator, before managing any units. |
This guide focuses on owners, the simplest and most common route. If you're planning to start a holiday home management company, that's a bigger setup. Talk to us about our Operator Blueprint service. Comparing management companies as an owner? Read management company vs doing it yourself.
Before you apply: 4 checks
- Title deed: the property should be classified as residential. Hotel apartments generally can't be registered as holiday homes.
- Building and community rules: some developers and owners' associations restrict short-term rentals. Check your sale and purchase agreement and ask building management whether you need an NOC. It's often the slowest step, so start early.
- Mortgage: if the home is mortgaged, check your bank's terms on renting it out.
- Your setup plan: know whether you'll classify as Standard or Deluxe (see below), and make sure the apartment meets that standard before guests arrive.
Documents you'll need
- Title deed (or tenancy contract plus landlord NOC)
- Emirates ID or passport
- A recent DEWA bill for the unit, including the premise number
- Building or developer NOC, if your building requires one
- Anything else the portal's checklist asks for at the time you apply. Requirements such as insurance can change, so follow the checklist exactly.
How to apply, step by step
- Create your account on the DET Holiday Homes portal, choosing the individual owner option.
- Add your property: enter the DEWA premise number, the unit details and the number of bedrooms.
- Upload your documents from the list above.
- Choose your classification: Standard or Deluxe.
- Submit. Registration and permit fees are currently waived (until 30 April 2027).
- Receive your permit number and add it to your Airbnb and Booking.com listings.
How long does it take? With all documents ready, recent guides report anything from a few working days to a few weeks. Getting a building NOC usually takes longest.
Don't list before approval. Wait for your permit number before publishing your listing or accepting bookings.
Standard or Deluxe?
You self-classify each unit, and you must keep it to that standard for as long as you host.
- Standard: a comfortable, well-equipped home that meets DET's basic requirements. It has the lower Tourism Dirham rate.
- Deluxe: stricter requirements, for example larger bedrooms, a fuller kitchen and an en-suite master bathroom. It has a higher Tourism Dirham rate.
If you're unsure, check DET's current classification criteria on the portal. Choosing Deluxe when your unit doesn't fully meet it can cause problems at inspection.
How much does an Airbnb license cost in Dubai?
| Item | Right now | Usually |
|---|---|---|
| DET registration (one-time) | Waived until 30 April 2027 | Around AED 1,500–1,850 |
| Annual unit permit | Waived until 30 April 2027 | Around AED 300 per bedroom + AED 70 per unit |
| Tourism Dirham | AED 10 (Standard) or AED 15 (Deluxe) per occupied bedroom per night, filed monthly by the 15th. Not covered by the waiver. | |
| VAT | 5%. Registration required once taxable turnover passes AED 375,000 in 12 months (voluntary from AED 187,500). | |
The "usually" amounts come from recent 2026 guides. Always check the DET portal for current fees.
After approval: your ongoing obligations
- Register every guest in the DET system at check-in, with their passport or Emirates ID details.
- File and pay the Tourism Dirham every month by the 15th. Set a reminder on the 10th.
- Renew your unit permit every year, and don't let it lapse while you're still hosting.
- Keep the classification standard you chose (Standard or Deluxe).
- Keep your listing details accurate, including the permit number shown on Airbnb and Booking.com.
New to hosting? Our owner's guide to Airbnb-ing your own apartment covers setup, pricing, listing and day-to-day running.
Want help getting your permit right?
Our Launch Ready package walks you through the DET permit, pricing, your listing and a guest-ready setup. We don't manage your property or take a cut of your bookings. You stay in control.
Tell us about your apartmentFAQ
Is Airbnb legal in Dubai?
Yes, as long as the home has a valid DET holiday home permit and you follow the rules, including guest registration and the Tourism Dirham.
Do I need a license to Airbnb my apartment in Dubai?
Yes. Every short-term rental unit needs its own DET holiday home permit before you accept bookings. Owners don't need a trade licence to register their own homes.
How much is an Airbnb license in Dubai?
Currently nothing: DET has waived all holiday home unit permit and registration fees from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027. The Tourism Dirham and VAT still apply.
How long does it take to get an Airbnb license in Dubai?
From a few working days to a few weeks once your documents are ready. A building NOC is usually the slowest part.
Can I Airbnb a rented apartment in Dubai?
Only with written approval (an NOC) from your landlord that explicitly allows short-term rental, plus any building approvals and a DET permit.
What happens if I host without a permit?
You risk fines, and platforms can remove your listing. It's not worth it, especially while permit fees are waived.
Last updated 1 October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Holiday home rules and fees in Dubai change from time to time, so always confirm current requirements with the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and, for VAT, the Federal Tax Authority. Airbnb is a trademark of Airbnb, Inc.; Hostwise is not affiliated with Airbnb.