| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — DET (formerly DTCM) holiday home permit per unit |
| Tax Rate | 7% municipality fee plus Tourism Dirham and 5% VAT |
| Minimum Stay | Reported 7-day minimum booking under DTCM rules (exceptions for corporate) |
| Permit Fee | ~AED 1,520 per unit/year; operators also need DED trade license (~AED 10,000–15,000) |
| Penalties | First offence ~AED 5,000 + listing removal; escalates to AED 10,000–100,000 and permit ban |
| Primary Residence Required | No |
Short-term rental operations in Dubai are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — DET (formerly DTCM) holiday home permit per unit. The associated permit fees are ~AED 1,520 per unit/year; operators also need DED trade license (~AED 10,000–15,000).
Short-term rental operators in Dubai should be aware of these tax obligations: 7% municipality fee plus Tourism Dirham and 5% VAT. Yes (Tourism Dirham, 7% municipality fee, VAT).
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Dubai include: Primary residence requirement: No. Minimum stay: Reported 7-day minimum booking under DTCM rules (exceptions for corporate).
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Dubai: Building must permit holiday homes; developer/building NOC required. Density rules: Individuals may license up to 8 properties. Insurance: Yes — DET requires adequate insurance (contents AED 100,000+ recommended).
Hosts who fail to comply with Dubai's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. First offence ~AED 5,000 + listing removal; escalates to AED 10,000–100,000 and permit ban.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Dubai: Airbnb/Booking.com auto-delist listings without valid permit numbers.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Dubai with proper registration and permits. Same-day guest check-in/out reporting via Holiday Home (HH) 2.0 system; ID upload required
Yes. Dubai requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — DET (formerly DTCM) holiday home permit per unit.
Short-term rental hosts in Dubai are subject to the following tax obligations: 7% municipality fee plus Tourism Dirham and 5% VAT.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Dubai may face enforcement. First offence ~AED 5,000 + listing removal; escalates to AED 10,000–100,000 and permit ban.
Exempt from Ejari registration; self-classify Standard or Deluxe
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