PERSONAL FINANCEUp to AED 50,000 Music License Fee Starts Dec 1 2026

AED 50,000 Annual Music Licence Required for UAE Venues from Dec 2026

Effective 1 December 2026, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism will require every commercial venue to hold an annual licence to play copyrighted music, with fees that can climb to AED 50,000.

Who needs the licence

The rule covers any establishment that offers music to the public, restaurants, cafés, hotels, nightclubs, shopping centres and any other venue that streams or broadcasts music inside the UAE.

The Ministry’s Collective Management in Music Guide does not spell out a step‑by‑step application process, so businesses should watch for further instructions from the Ministry of Economy and Tourism on how to register and pay the fee.

💡 Quick FAQ & IntelligenceTap to Expand

Q: When does the new music‑licensing requirement begin?

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The requirement takes effect on 1 December 2026.

Also ReadDubai Customs Exempts E-commerce Goods Under AED 1,000

Q: Which government body introduced the music‑licensing rules?

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism issued the Collective Management in Music Guide.

Q: What is the highest annual cost a venue might face for the licence?

Fees can be as high as AED 50,000 per year.