Real Estate Brokerage Licence in Dubai: RERA, Costs and Requirements

A Dubai real estate brokerage requires both a correctly licensed company and authorised individuals. A commercial licence alone does not permit an unregistered person to negotiate property transactions or advertise projects without the required Dubai Land Department processes.

What is a real estate brokerage licence?

The licence authorises a company to conduct the approved real estate activity. Common activities include sales and purchase brokerage and leasing brokerage. Dubai Land Department also regulates related fields such as real estate consultancy, property management, mortgage brokerage, valuation and project marketing.

These activities are not interchangeable. A company licensed only for leasing brokerage should not assume it can perform property management, valuation or project marketing.

DET, DLD, RERA and Trakheesi explained

• Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism: issues the mainland economic licence in coordination with the relevant authority.
• Dubai Land Department: regulates Dubai real estate activities and provides licensing and professional-card services.
• Real Estate Regulatory Agency: the regulatory arm associated with real estate practice and professional requirements.
• Trakheesi: the online system used for real estate licensing, professional cards and advertising permits.

Company approval and individual broker authorisation work together. The Dubai Land Department states that a person may not practise a licensed real estate activity until registered and issued the relevant professional practice card.

Company licence vs broker card

Requirements for an individual broker

Current Dubai Land Department guidance identifies requirements such as the relevant qualification or broker course, examination, good-conduct certificate, Emirates ID and residency documentation. An expatriate's residency is generally expected to be connected to the same licensed office.

Requirements vary by practice-card type. A broker, real estate consultant, mortgage consultant and valuer do not follow identical qualification routes.

Documents commonly required for the company

• passport, visa and Emirates ID copies of shareholders and managers;
• trade-name reservation and initial approval;
• selected sales, leasing or other real estate activities;
• memorandum of association and incorporation documents;
• office tenancy contract and Ejari;
• Dubai Land Department or RERA approval documents;
• manager and professional qualification documents;
• good-conduct certificates where required; and
• ultimate beneficial owner and compliance information.

Step-by-step setup process

1. Select the precise activity. Decide between sales brokerage, leasing brokerage and any additional services.
2. Choose the legal form and ownership structure.
3. Reserve the trade name and obtain initial approval.
4. Secure compliant office premises. Complete the tenancy and Ejari requirements.
5. Complete the authority approval process. Submit the company and manager information through the applicable channel.
6. Issue the economic licence and register the office.
7. Complete training and examination requirements.
8. Apply for individual practice cards through Trakheesi.
9. Complete establishment, immigration, labour, tax and banking registrations.
10. Obtain permits before advertising properties or projects.

Office and staffing considerations

A brokerage is an office-based regulated business. Plan for a genuine commercial address rather than assuming that a flexi-desk will satisfy every requirement. The office, manager and licensed personnel should match the records held by the economic and real estate authorities.

Each person performing a regulated role should hold the appropriate card. Administrative staff should not conduct brokerage activity merely because they work for a licensed office.

How much does a brokerage licence cost?

The total budget can include:

• trade-name, initial approval and economic licence fees;
• office rent, deposit and Ejari;
• DLD or RERA approval and office-registration charges;
• training, examination and professional-card fees;
• establishment card, visas and labour costs;
• professional indemnity or other insurance where applicable;
• property portals, CRM, telephony and marketing systems;
• advertising and Trakheesi permit charges; and
• annual renewals and compliance support.

Dubai Land Department publishes individual service fees for practice cards and examinations, but these do not represent the full company setup cost. Obtain a current itemised quotation.

Property advertising and permits

Real estate advertisements must follow Dubai Land Department rules. Project marketing and property advertisements can require a permit issued through Trakheesi. The permit details and approved content should match the actual property, authorised advertiser and owner or developer documentation.

Do not publish listings using another broker's permit number, advertise unavailable property or alter approved information in a misleading way.

AML and record keeping

Real estate brokers and agents fall within important UAE anti-money-laundering obligations. A brokerage should assess customers and transactions, identify beneficial owners, retain records and report suspicious activity when required. See our UAE AML compliance guide.

Commission agreements, viewing records, property documents, marketing authorisations and customer communications should be organised and retrievable.

Common setup mistakes

• confusing the company licence with an individual broker card;
• selecting only one brokerage activity while offering additional services;
• hiring sales staff before checking card eligibility;
• using a non-compliant office or mismatched visa sponsorship;
• advertising without the required permit;
• underestimating portal, staffing and marketing costs; and
• launching without AML procedures and transaction records.

Official references

• Dubai Land Department: Real estate activity licence
• Dubai Land Department: Professional practice card
• Dubai Land Department: Licensing FAQs
• Dubai Land Department: Brokerage practice guide

Set up your Dubai brokerage correctly

Al Shamil Zone can help structure the company, select the activities, prepare the commercial-licensing documents and coordinate the steps required before the brokerage begins operating.

Discuss your real estate business: call +971 4 408 1900, message +971 50 777 5554 on WhatsApp, or request a consultation.

This article provides general information and not legal, real estate, AML or regulatory advice. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authorities.