Real estate brokerage license in Dubai

Brokering property in Dubai is regulated by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), part of the Dubai Land Department (DLD). A company licence alone does not let you list, advertise or sell property: the office is registered with RERA, and the owner and each broker carry a RERA practice card.

The Dubai Land Department publishes a Real Estate Brokerage Practice Guide (second edition, November 2024) that sets out the systems and rules a broker must follow. This page summarises the parts that affect how you set up, and points you to the DLD pages for the details that change.

Brokerage is not the same as property development, leasing or property management. Those are separate real estate activities with their own requirements, covered briefly below.

Typical costs to set up a brokerage (mainland)

Typical October 2026 ranges from our pricing basis. DLD and RERA licensing, practice card and exam fees are published by DLD and are not included here.

How to get a real estate broker license in Dubai

The DLD's licensing service sets the order. First submit the licence application through the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Register in the Trakheesi system on the DLD website. Then apply for the Real Estate Activity Practice Card immediately after the licence is approved.

The brokerage practice guide describes the same sequence for a broker card: the real estate licence must first be obtained from the licensing authority, the licence must be registered in Trakheesi, the card application is submitted through Trakheesi, and the electronic card is issued once fees are paid.

RERA broker card requirements

The DLD practice card page lists a personal photo, a copy of the Emirates ID, a Dubai Police certificate of good conduct, and a pass in the annual test for the profession. It lists exemptions from the broker test for people over 55, for brokers with five consecutive years in the same real estate office, and for start-up licence holders. Card validity is linked to the validity of the trade licence, and nobody may practise the licensed activity until they have registered and obtained the card.

Card fees and the exam fee are set on the DLD page, so check it for the amounts that apply when you apply.

Free zone licence or mainland licence for brokerage

DLD's licensing page says free zone licences need a No Objection Certificate from the licensing authority, which the service issues for free zone licences only. A free zone company can also be registered, but whether it can market and sell property across Dubai depends on its licence and the authority's NOC, so ask before choosing a zone.

Advertising permits and the systems brokers must use

Brokerages must obtain a permit through Trakheesi for any real estate advertisement or marketing material, and the permit number must appear on the ad. This covers print, outdoor, electronic and classified ads, open days and project launches. The guide also requires brokers to use the DLD smart contracts (Contract A for marketing, Contract B for purchase intent and Contract F for sale) and the Dubai REST app.

For off-plan projects, brokers must confirm the project is licensed and registered with RERA, that it has an escrow account, and that there is a marketing contract between the developer and the brokerage.

Brokerage versus property management and development

DLD licenses other real estate activities separately. For leasing and management of property for others, the page lists a bank guarantee of AED 5 million; development needs proof of land ownership; private property leasing needs the ownership deed. A brokerage does not carry these requirements, but you cannot add those activities without meeting theirs.

Steps to open a real estate brokerage in Dubai

1. 1

   Choose your structure and name the owner and manager

   Decide who holds the licence and who will hold broker cards.

2. 2

   Apply for the brokerage licence through DET

   Include the real estate brokerage activity. Free zone licences need a No Objection Certificate from the licensing authority.

3. 3

   Lease an office and register Ejari

   The licence needs an address that suits a brokerage.

4. 4

   Register the office in the Trakheesi system

   Through the Dubai Land Department website, once the licence is approved.

5. 5

   Obtain good conduct certificates and complete the broker test

   The Dubai Police certificate and the annual test apply to individuals, with exemptions listed by DLD.

6. 6

   Apply for practice cards for the owner and every broker

   Submit through Trakheesi, pay the fees, and print the card from the system.

7. 7

   Get advertising permits and start marketing

   Display the permit number on every advertisement and use the DLD smart contracts.

Documents you will usually need

• Passport copies for owners and partners
• DET trade licence with the brokerage activity
• Ejari tenancy contract for the office
• For each broker, a personal photo and Emirates ID copy
• Dubai Police certificate of good conduct, addressed for DLD or RERA
• Pass certificate for the annual broker test, unless exempt
• No Objection Certificate from the licensing authority, for free zone licences

Things to weigh up

• {'title': 'Cards before work', 'text': 'No one may practise brokerage before registering and getting a practice card, so factor card timing into your hiring plan.'}
• {'title': 'Fees change', 'text': 'DLD sets its own licence, card and test fees. Check the DLD pages, because they are separate from our typical ranges.'}
• {'title': 'Advertising rules', 'text': 'A listing without a permit number can create a violation. Set up a permit process before you publish anything.'}