Business setup · Property & construction
How to Start a Real Estate Brokerage in Dubai
Opening a real estate brokerage in Dubai is a two-level process: a mainland trade licence with a brokerage activity from the Department of Economy and Tourism, and registration with the Dubai Land Department’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA). Each agent must complete RERA training and hold a broker licence, and the company needs a physical office.
Fact-checked against official sources on · EH Management Consultancy LLC
At a glance
Key facts
- Company licence
- DET mainland licence with a brokerage activity
- Regulator
- Dubai Land Department / RERA
- Agents
- RERA training, broker test and personal broker licence
- Premises
- Physical office required
- Renewal
- Broker licences renewed annually
What do you need to know first?
Brokerage in Dubai is regulated at two levels. The company holds a DET trade licence and is registered with the Dubai Land Department as a brokerage, while every individual agent must complete the required training, pass the broker test and hold a personal broker licence, which is renewed annually.
Property advertising is also controlled: listings and adverts must carry the permits issued through the Dubai Land Department’s systems. Because the work involves property transactions and client funds, brokerages also have anti-money laundering obligations.
Each emirate regulates property brokers through its own authority, so a Dubai brokerage registration generally does not allow agents to broker property in other emirates. Brokerages that work across emirates need to meet each emirate’s rules, which affects how you structure offices and agent licences.
Regulators
Which approvals are needed?
Where to set up
Which jurisdictions suit this activity?
Visas: Each agent needs a residence visa and a personal broker licence. Office size drives how many agents you can sponsor.
Process
Step by step
-
01
Apply for the DET licence
Reserve a trade name and obtain initial approval for brokerage.
-
02
Lease an office
Register the tenancy contract.
-
03
Register with RERA
Register the company as a brokerage with the Dubai Land Department.
-
04
License your agents
Agents complete training and the broker test.
-
05
Set up compliance
AML procedures and advertising permits before marketing.
Checklist
What should you prepare before applying?
Settle these before you pay any government fees.
- 01
Lease a physical office before applying for brokerage registration.
- 02
Enrol each agent in the required training and broker test.
- 03
Set up anti-money laundering procedures and reporting.
- 04
Get advertising permits before listing properties.
- 05
Diarise annual broker licence renewals.
Frequently asked
Questions about real estate brokerage in the UAE
Can I run a real estate brokerage from a free zone in Dubai?
Brokers dealing in Dubai property generally need a mainland DET licence and Dubai Land Department registration. Confirm the route for your specific model before licensing.
Do real estate agents in Dubai need a licence?
Yes. Each agent must complete the required training, pass the broker test and hold a personal broker licence, renewed annually.
Do I need an office for a brokerage?
Yes. A physical office is required for brokerage registration.
Do brokerages have anti-money laundering duties?
Yes. Real estate brokers are designated non-financial businesses and must follow AML rules, including registration for suspicious transaction reporting.
How long is a Dubai broker licence valid?
Broker licences are renewed annually, and the Dubai Land Department has required brokers to pass a test as part of renewal.
Do I need permits to advertise property in Dubai?
Yes. Property adverts and listings must carry the permits issued through the Dubai Land Department’s systems before publication.
Official sources
Verify it yourself
Regulators update their rules. These are the authoritative references behind this guide.
Related
Services and guides
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