Shopping Malls Face UAE’s Top Music Licence Fee: AED 50,000
Effective 1 December 2026, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism requires every commercial venue to hold an annual licence to play copyrighted music. The highest cap in the entire fee schedule, AED 50,000 a year, applies specifically to shopping malls’ common areas (Dh625 for the first 100 sqm, plus Dh50 per extra 25 sqm). Other venue types cap much lower: restaurants and fitness centres at Dh6,000, hotels at Dh25,000. For the full fee table across every venue type, see our UAE music licensing fee schedule.
Who needs the licence
The rule covers any establishment that offers music to the public: restaurants, cafes, hotels, nightclubs, shopping centres and any other venue that streams or broadcasts music inside the UAE.
Licences are issued by two Ministry-authorised bodies, the Emirates Music Rights Association and Music Nation, under Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026.
