How to Get a Holiday Home Permit in Dubai

If you’re considering turning your property—whether a villa, house, or apartment—into a short-term rental in Dubai, you’ll need a holiday home permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). This permit legalizes furnished residential units for holiday rentals, provided all safety and regulatory requirements are met.

Not all properties qualify. Apartments must be classified as Residential in the title deed. Villas or houses in gated communities can be either Residential or Commercial. Independent villas in Hatta must hold a Commercial or Farms classification. Units that are hotel rooms, hotel apartments, or those whose sale agreements prohibit short-term rentals are not eligible.

You’ll also need comprehensive insurance from a Dubai-licensed insurer that covers guest injury or damage for the full duration of the permit.

Eligibility to apply includes both individual property owners and companies. Required documents include the title deed or sale/purchase agreement, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer if required, passport or Emirates ID of the landlord, a recent DEWA bill, property management letter, and a trade license if the owner is a company.

The permit duration ranges from a minimum of three months to a maximum of twelve months, with fees being the same regardless of the period chosen.

To apply, log into the Holiday Homes portal, register your unit, provide details such as the number of bedrooms, type, developer, and area, upload required documents, review, and submit. Once approved, the next steps include self-classification and payment of fees to finalize the registration.

Fees include AED 370 per bedroom, AED 50 for the classification certificate, plus AED 10 knowledge fee and AED 10 innovation fee. The total cost depends on the property size.

After approval, DET may conduct inspections to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. If violations are found, owners usually have two weeks to address them. Periodic unannounced inspections may also occur to ensure continued compliance.

With a valid holiday home permit, property owners can legally host guests while contributing to Dubai’s growing tourism and hospitality sector.