Start Your Real Estate Company in Dubai with the Right Licence
Planning to launch a real estate brokerage, property consultancy, leasing company or property management business?
We help entrepreneurs obtain the right real estate license in Dubai, complete the required DET and DLD/RERA approvals and prepare the company to operate legally in the UAE.
From selecting the correct business activity to obtaining real estate agent practice cards, our specialists coordinate the entire setup process.
What Is a Real Estate License in Dubai?
A real estate licence authorises a company to provide approved property-related services in Dubai. Your licence activity determines whether you can broker property sales, arrange leasing transactions, manage properties, offer consultancy, inspect buildings or carry out property development.
Dubai Land Department currently lists multiple regulated activities, including real estate sales and purchase brokerage, leasing brokerage, consultancy, mortgage consultancy, development, valuation, property inspection and property management.
There is no single licence covering every real estate service. Choosing the wrong activity can restrict your operations or create delays when applying for DLD and RERA approval.
Our real estate business setup support includes:
- Real estate activity and jurisdiction selection
- Dubai mainland and free-zone company formation
- DET trade licence application
- Dubai Land Department and RERA approvals
- Trakheesi registration
- Real estate agent licence and broker card support
- Office and Ejari assistance
- Investor and employee visa processing
- Corporate bank account assistance
- Advertising permit and AML compliance guidance
Real Estate Agent License Dubai: Company Licence vs Agent Card
A real estate company license and a real estate agent license are not the same thing.
Real estate company license
This is the commercial or professional licence issued to the business by the Department of Economy and Tourism or an approved free-zone authority. Regulated real estate activities may also require approval and registration with the Dubai Land Department and RERA.
Real estate agent license or practice card
Every individual carrying out regulated brokerage activities must obtain the relevant professional practice card through the Trakheesi system.
For a real estate broker card, the applicant may need to:
- Work under an appropriately licensed real estate company
- Complete the required real estate qualification or training
- Pass the applicable broker examination
- Obtain a Dubai Police good-conduct certificate
- Submit personal documents through Trakheesi
- Pay the broker card issuance fee
Dubai Land Department states that a professional practice card must be obtained before an individual performs the regulated activity registered under the licence.
Real Estate Company License Activities We Can Assist With
We provide business setup support for a wide range of real estate activities.
Real estate sales and purchase brokerage
Act as an authorised intermediary between property owners, buyers and investors for residential or commercial property transactions.
Real estate leasing brokerage
Connect landlords and tenants, arrange property viewings and facilitate residential or commercial leasing agreements.
Real estate consultancy
Provide market research, investment guidance, feasibility analysis and property-related advisory services within the scope approved by the licensing authority.
Real estate development
Establish a company for planning, developing and managing real estate development projects, subject to project-specific approvals and land ownership requirements.
Private property leasing and management
Lease and manage properties owned by the licence holder or eligible related parties within the limits established by DLD.
Third-party property management
Manage properties belonging to other owners. This activity has additional regulatory requirements and currently requires a substantial bank guarantee.
Property inspection and valuation
Offer property inspection, snagging or valuation services after obtaining the qualifications and approvals required for the selected activity.
Mortgage consultancy and brokerage
Advise clients on property financing or connect borrowers with approved mortgage providers, depending on the licensed activity.
The exact activity should be selected before reserving the company name or paying licensing fees.
How to Setup a Real Estate Company in Dubai
The following process explains how to get a real estate license in Dubai and establish your company.
Select Your Real Estate Activity
Choose the exact service your company will offer, such as property brokerage, leasing brokerage, consultancy, development, inspection or property management.
Choose Mainland or Free-Zone Setup
Select the jurisdiction based on where your clients and properties are located, whether you will broker transactions and which regulatory approvals are required.
Choose the Legal Structure
Depending on the activity and ownership structure, the company may be established as an LLC, single-owner LLC, branch or another permitted legal form.
Reserve Your Trade Name
Submit a compliant company name to the Department of Economy and Tourism or the selected free-zone authority.
Obtain Initial Approval and Prepare Documents
Complete the initial licence application, corporate documents and any office or Ejari requirements applicable to your activity.
Complete DLD and RERA Approval
Register through the Trakheesi system and submit the real estate licensing application for review by the Dubai Land Department.
Complete Agent Training and Practice Cards
Owners, managers or employees who will perform regulated activities must complete the applicable qualification, examination and professional practice card process.
Complete Post-Licensing Registrations
After the licence is issued, complete visas, corporate banking, tax registration, AML procedures and advertising permit requirements where applicable.
Dubai Land Department states that licence applications begin through DET, followed by Trakheesi registration and the relevant real estate practice card application. The order may vary slightly according to the selected activity and licensing authority.
Dubai Mainland vs Free Zone Real Estate Company Setup
Dubai mainland real estate licence
A mainland setup is generally suitable for businesses planning to carry out property sales brokerage, leasing brokerage and other activities directly within the Dubai market.
- The setup can involve:
- DET commercial licence
- DLD and RERA approval
- Trakheesi registration
- Compliant office and Ejari
- Individual broker practice cards
- Property advertising permits
Free-zone real estate licence
Selected free zones offer activities such as real estate consultancy, property inspection, development support, mortgage consultancy and management of self-owned properties.
However, a free-zone licence does not automatically authorise every type of brokerage activity in the Dubai mainland market. Depending on the activity, an NOC or additional DLD/RERA approval may be required.
We assess your business model before recommending mainland or free-zone formation.
| Government Service | Current Fee Component |
|---|---|
| Most other real estate activity approvals | AED 5,000 annually |
| Real estate valuation, exhibition organisation and selected supervision activities | AED 10,000 annually |
| Third-party property leasing and management | AED 15,000 annually |
| Real estate development activity | AED 25,000 annually |
| Real estate broker card | AED 500 |
| Broker examination | AED 700 plus knowledge and innovation fees |
| ERES fee | AED 50 plus VAT |
Knowledge and innovation fees may be charged in addition to the activity fee. These DLD charges do not include the DET or free-zone trade licence, office rent, Ejari, visas, training and professional service charges. Because two real estate companies may require completely different approvals, quoting one low headline price can be misleading. We provide an itemised quotation based on the activity you actually intend to perform.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License in Dubai?
Dubai Land Department lists a service time of approximately one working day for its real estate licensing review and a short electronic processing time for a professional practice card after all approvals and payments are complete.
However, the full company setup can take longer because trade name approval, company incorporation, office leasing, training, examinations, police clearance and visa procedures are separate stages.
A realistic timeline can only be confirmed after reviewing your selected activity and documents.
Why Choose BlueKryon LLC for Real Estate Business Setup?
Setting up a real estate business involves more than obtaining a standard trade licence. It requires correct activity mapping and coordination between different authorities.
With [Company Name], you receive:
- Activity-specific licensing advice
- Mainland and free-zone comparison
- Transparent government and setup cost breakdown
- DET, DLD, RERA and Trakheesi coordination
- Real estate agent licence and broker card assistance
- Office and Ejari support
- Investor and employee visa processing
- Corporate bank account guidance
- Advertising permit and post-licensing compliance support
- Renewal and ongoing business assistance
Avoid paying for a licence that does not cover your intended property services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose the correct real estate activity, select a mainland or free-zone jurisdiction, reserve the trade name and apply for the company licence. Regulated activities must then be registered with Dubai Land Department through Trakheesi. Individuals carrying out brokerage or other regulated services must also obtain the relevant professional practice card.
A real estate company licence authorises the business to provide approved property services. A real estate agent licence usually refers to the individual professional practice card issued to the broker, consultant or other practitioner working under the licensed company.
The cost depends on the activity, jurisdiction, office, visas and required approvals. DLD activity fees currently start from AED 5,000 annually for many activities, while the DET or free-zone licence, office, Ejari, training and visa costs are charged separately.
RERA and Dubai Land Department approval is required for regulated activities such as property sales brokerage and leasing brokerage. Some consultancy or support activities may follow a different approval route depending on the jurisdiction and exact activity.
Foreign investors can establish eligible real estate businesses in Dubai. The permitted ownership structure, legal form and external approvals depend on the chosen activity and whether the business is established on the mainland or in a free zone.
transactions within Dubai. A free zone may be suitable for consultancy, inspection, development support or selected management activities. The decision should be based on the exact service you plan to offer.
The timeline depends on company licensing, training, the broker examination, police clearance and document approval. The electronic card can be issued quickly after all conditions are completed, but the full process usually takes longer than the card issuance itself.
Common documents include passport copies, UAE visa and Emirates ID where applicable, trade name approval, initial approval, corporate documents, office tenancy or Ejari, good-conduct certificate and training or examination documents. Additional documents may be required for property management, development or valuation activities.