Holiday Home License Dubai (DET Holiday Home Permit)

A holiday home license in Dubai is the DET permit every apartment or villa needs before it is listed for short stays on Airbnb, Booking.com or any other site. We check the unit qualifies, prepare the documents and file the application with DET, for owners and for holiday home operators.

Description

A holiday home license in Dubai is a permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DTCM). DET's rule is simple: every apartment and villa must be registered and approved before it is listed for short stays, whether on Airbnb, Booking.com or your own website. The activity is governed by Decree No. 41 of 2013 and its executive regulations (Administrative Resolution No. 1 of 2020).

There are two routes. An owner can register their own unit on DET's Holiday Homes system; the name on the account must match the name on the title deed. A professional operator registers units on behalf of owners and needs a company whose trade licence carries the Vacation Homes Rental activity. That operator route is what people mean by a holiday homes trade license in Dubai: it starts with a Dubai mainland company, then DET initial approval and the operator licence.

Not every unit qualifies. Apartments must be in residential buildings or buildings designated for the activity. Residential villas must be in a gated compound of at least four villas; commercial villas on main roads may be considered by DET. Your sale and purchase agreement must not prohibit holiday home use, and building or community rules can also restrict short stays, so check before you buy furniture. After approval you self-classify the unit as standard or deluxe against DET's criteria.

The permit is issued for between three and twelve months, and the fee does not change with the period you choose. Once you are live, the regulations require you to sign a holiday home contract with each guest, give DET guest information as it requires, show the permit number in every advert, keep guest records for at least three years and give guests a 24/7 contact number. You also collect the Tourism Dirham from guests for each bedroom per night, up to 30 consecutive nights, and pay it to DET.

Breaking the rules can lead to a fine for each violation, a doubled fine for a repeat within a year, suspension of the activity for up to six months, or revocation. Listing without a permit is itself a violation.

If you rent out several units, rental income can bring you over the threshold for VAT registration. Operators also need a corporate bank account to receive guest payments.

What's Included

Check that your unit and building qualify before you apply
Holiday Homes portal account set-up for the owner
Collection and review of documents, including the Property Management Letter
Adding the unit and submitting the application to DET
Help with self-classification (standard or deluxe)
Guidance on showing the permit number on Airbnb, Booking.com and other listings
Guidance on guest registration and Tourism Dirham obligations
Renewal reminder before the permit expires

Requirements / Prerequisites

You own the unit (title deed, or SPA with completion certificate or developer letter)
The SPA does not prohibit holiday home use, and building or community rules allow short stays
Apartment in a residential or designated building; villa in a gated compound of at least four villas
The unit is furnished to DET's standard or deluxe criteria
Reasonable fire and safety measures in place
For operators: a trade licence with the Vacation Homes Rental activity

Required Documents

Title deed, or sale and purchase agreement with a payment completion certificate or developer letter
Signed passport copy or Emirates ID of the owner
Property Management Letter (DET template)
Current DEWA bill (or DEWA statement or account screenshot showing owner and account number)
If the owner is a company: trade licence and ID of the authorised signatory
For operators: trade licence, and passport or Emirates ID of the operator

Our Process

Check the unit, building rules and SPA for eligibility
Create a Holiday Homes portal account as owner or operator
Add the unit with its type, bedrooms, area and developer details
Upload the documents and submit (DET reviews within one business day)
After approval, self-classify the unit
Pay the permit and classification certificate fees
Add the permit number to every listing
Register guests and pay the Tourism Dirham as DET requires
Renew before the permit expires

Pricing

Contact via WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a holiday home license in Dubai to list on Airbnb?

Yes. DET requires every apartment and villa to be registered and approved before it is listed for short stays, on Airbnb or any other site.

What documents do I need for a holiday home permit?

The title deed (or SPA with a completion certificate or developer letter), the owner's passport or Emirates ID, a Property Management Letter on DET's template, and a current DEWA bill. Companies also provide their trade licence.

What is a holiday homes trade license in Dubai?

It is the licence a company needs to manage holiday homes for other owners. The company's trade licence must include the Vacation Homes Rental activity, and the company then gets DET initial approval and an operator licence.

How much does a holiday home license in Dubai cost?

DET charges a permit fee and a classification certificate fee for each unit, and the size of the unit plays a part. Operators also pay for their trade licence and DET operator licence. Send us the unit details for a written quote.

Are all villas eligible?

No. Residential villas must be in a gated compound of at least four villas. DET may also consider commercial villas on main roads.

How long is the permit valid?

Between three and twelve months, and the fee is the same whatever period you choose. Renew before it expires to keep listing.

What is the Tourism Dirham for holiday homes?

A fee guests pay for each bedroom per night, up to 30 consecutive nights. You collect it and pay it to DET.

What happens if I let my property without a permit?

It is a violation. DET can fine you for each violation, double the fine for a repeat within a year, suspend the activity for up to six months or revoke the licence.