Establish a Real Estate Business in Dubai
To start a real estate brokerage in Dubai you need a trade licence from the Department of Economy and Tourism and registration with RERA under the Dubai Land Department, with your brokers passing the RERA exam and holding broker cards. OMC handles the licence, the RERA registration and the visas.
How to set up a real estate business in Dubai
- 1
Register the company and trade licence
Register the entity and the real-estate brokerage activity with DET. Brokerage serving the Dubai market is a mainland activity.
- 2
Register with RERA
A brokerage must register with RERA under the Dubai Land Department before it can operate. This registration is the step that gates the business.
- 3
Qualify your brokers
Each broker completes the RERA training and exam and holds a broker card. We coordinate the registrations alongside the company.
- 4
Set up staff visas
Sponsor your brokers and admin team through the establishment card and visa quota.
- 5
Open the corporate bank account
Open a business account to receive commissions and run payroll. We introduce you to the right banking officer.
Why start a real estate business in Dubai?
Dubai has one of the most active property markets in the region, with continuous new supply and a large pool of resident and overseas buyers and tenants. That sustains demand for brokerage, property management and consultancy. Real estate is a regulated activity, so the barrier to entry is real, but a registered, compliant brokerage can operate with the credibility the market expects.
Real estate licence: what it involves and cost
A real-estate brokerage runs on a DET trade licence plus RERA registration under the Dubai Land Department, and your brokers must pass the RERA exam and hold broker cards. Because the registrations and your visa quota drive the cost, we price your exact setup rather than publish a figure that would not fit it. Get your exact quote.
Documents required
- Passport copies of the shareholders and the manager
- The proposed trade name and brokerage activity
- A tenancy contract for a physical office
- Broker qualifications and RERA registration details
Mainland vs free zone vs offshore: which fits?
| Structure | Ownership | Where it can trade | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland | 100% foreign for most activities | Anywhere in the UAE, and bids for government work | Brokerage, property management and consultancy serving the Dubai property market |
| Free zone | 100% foreign | Within the zone and internationally | Services, consultancy and trading that does not need to sell across the UAE market |
| Offshore | 100% foreign | Holding and international business only, no UAE trade | Holding assets and international structuring, not local operations |
How OMC helps you establish your real estate business
We have handled UAE company formation since 2007, across more than 1,400 companies. Real estate is RERA-regulated, so we manage the DET licence and the RERA registration together, coordinate the broker cards, and set up the establishment card and visas. We also introduce you to a banking officer for commissions and payroll.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a real estate brokerage licence in Dubai?
You register a company with the Department of Economy and Tourism for the brokerage activity, then register with RERA under the Dubai Land Department, with your brokers passing the RERA exam. OMC handles the licence and the RERA registration together.
Do real estate brokers need a RERA card in Dubai?
Yes. Each broker must complete the RERA training and exam and hold a broker card to operate legally. We coordinate the broker registrations alongside the company setup.
Can a foreigner own a real estate company in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign investors can own a mainland real-estate brokerage. We confirm the ownership rule and the RERA conditions for the specific activity before you file.
Is real estate a mainland or free zone activity in Dubai?
A brokerage serving the Dubai property market is a mainland activity registered with RERA, which a free-zone licence does not cover. We set it up on the mainland with the required registration.
How long does it take to set up a real estate business in Dubai?
The trade licence is quick, but the RERA registration and broker cards set the real timeline. We give you a realistic schedule once we know your activity and team.
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Ready to set up your real estate business?
We have handled UAE company formation since 2007, across more than 1,400 companies. Tell us what you are planning and we will map your exact licence, approvals and costs.