—
meta_title: Holiday Home Licence Dubai: DET Permit Guide (2026)
meta_description: How to get a holiday home licence in Dubai: who can apply, DET portal steps, documents, Tourism Dirham rates and the rules hosts must follow before listing.
primary_keyword: holiday home license dubai
url: https://liveingulf.com/real-estate/holiday-home-permit-dubai/
—
A holiday home license in Dubai (spelled licence in UK English) is the permit that lets you rent a property to guests for short stays. It is issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DTCM) through its Holiday Homes portal, one permit per unit. Owners, and tenants with the landlord’s NOC, can apply. You also collect the Tourism Dirham from guests.
Listing a furnished flat in Dubai Marina or anywhere else in the UAE on Airbnb or Booking.com without that permit is a breach of the rules, and the 2026 enforcement approach is firm. This guide covers who can apply, the steps, the fees you should expect, the Tourism Dirham and the rules that catch new hosts out. If you are weighing short-term against annual lets, read our guide to rental yield in Dubai first.
Do you need a licence to rent short-term in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai requires a permit for any home let to tourists, and platform listings must show the permit number. Short-term rental here means renting a whole unit to guests for a stay shorter than a standard annual lease. This vacation home rental model is separate from the long-term market. Letting a single room or bed space is not allowed under the holiday home framework. Units in hotel apartments are handled under a different regime.
Who can apply for a holiday home permit?
- Individual owners of a freehold unit that allows holiday home use.
- Tenants, with a written landlord NOC, which is why many tenants cannot list their rented flat on Airbnb.
- Licensed holiday home operators, which manage units for owners under a trade licence.
You do not need a company to run one home as an individual owner. A property management company can also handle the DET registration for you, which suits owners who live abroad.
Documents you need
- Title deed, or the tenancy agreement plus landlord NOC for a tenant
- Emirates ID of the owner or operator
- DEWA documents showing the premises number
- Building or community NOC where the building requires it
- Developer NOC if the title deed restricts short-term use
The owners’ association has its own say. A building can restrict short-term letting even when DET would approve the permit, so ask the management company before you apply. Our guide to service charges in Dubai explains who that company is.
How to get a holiday home licence in Dubai
- Check the building rules and your eligibility.
- Create or log in to an account on the DET Holiday Homes portal.
- Add the unit and upload your documents.
- Submit the application and wait for approval.
- Classify the unit as Standard or Deluxe.
- Pay the fees and receive your permit number.
Put the permit number on every listing. Permits are issued per unit and run for a set period, so diarise the renewal date.
Holiday home permit fees and the Tourism Dirham
Two kinds of payment apply: the permit and registration fees charged by DET, and the Tourism Dirham charged to guests. Permit fees have changed several times and DET has announced waivers, so check the amount on the official portal before you budget. Do not rely on a fee list from a blog, including this one.
Classification | Tourism Dirham |
|---|---|
Standard holiday home | AED 10 per occupied bedroom per night |
Deluxe holiday home | AED 15 per occupied bedroom per night |
You collect the Tourism Dirham from guests and remit it to DET by the 15th of the following month. Late filing carries a fee. Treat the dirham as the guest’s money, not yours, and keep records of occupancy for each month.
Rules for hosts: safety, guests and insurance
Licensed homes must meet operating standards covering guest registration, safety equipment, a contact line for guests and insurance for damage. DET inspects, so a clean compliance record matters. Check the current list of operational requirements on the portal, since DET updates them.
What happens if you operate without a permit?
DET can fine hosts who operate without a permit and can suspend or revoke a licence for repeat breaches. Platforms may also remove listings without a permit number. A fine costs far more than the permit, so the sums never favour skipping it.
Is a holiday home worth it?
It can earn more than an annual lease, but the costs and the work are higher: cleaning, platform commission, utilities, furnishing, the Tourism Dirham administration and vacancy in the quiet months. Many owners hire a licensed operator and accept a lower net return in exchange for less work. Run a net yield calculation for both options before you commit, and compare it with a standard lease described in our guide to renting out property in Dubai. Income tax does not apply to individuals, though corporate tax can apply to an operator company.
Holiday home costs sit alongside your other annual bills, which our guide to the cost of owning property in Dubai sets out.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a holiday home licence in Dubai without a company?
Yes. An individual owner can apply directly through the DET portal for a unit they own. A company or trade licence is only needed if you operate holiday homes as a business for other owners. Confirm the current rules on the portal.
Can a tenant apply for a holiday home licence?
Only with the landlord’s written consent, and the building must allow short-term use. Without a landlord NOC, a tenant cannot list a rented flat on Airbnb. Subletting without consent can breach the tenancy contract.
Can I rent out just one room as a holiday home?
No. The holiday home framework covers whole units, not rooms or bed spaces. If you want to let one room, you need a different arrangement, so check the rules before you advertise.
Can my building stop me renting short-term even with a DET permit?
Yes. The owners’ association or community rules can restrict short-term letting, and a building NOC may be required. Ask the management company before you apply and keep their answer in writing.
How much is the Tourism Dirham?
The charge is AED 10 per occupied bedroom per night for a Standard home and AED 15 for a Deluxe home. You collect it from guests and file it with DET by the 15th of the next month.
Get the permit before you list
Check the building rules, apply on the DET portal and put the permit number on every listing. Fees, fines and requirements change, so confirm them with DET before you apply. This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Explore more Dubai real estate guides on Live In Gulf.
