How to Start a Real Estate Business in Dubai, UAE?

This guide will take you through the prerequisites of how to start a real estate business in Dubai, how to qualify, the set-up process, the cost, and how to succeed.

In this article, you’ll discover the cost of setting up a real estate business in Dubai. Let’s dive into the journey of establishing your own real estate business in this thriving city.

Dubai’s Real Estate Market in 2025

The property business is booming again with foreign investors and local consumption. These are some 2024 highlights:

• Transaction Volume: 180,987 transactions were noted, which is a 36.5 percent increase over 2023.
• Transaction Value: AED 522.1 billion (USD 142.1 billion), increased 27 percent year-on-year.
• Residential Prices: Houses prices increased by 20.1 percent by May 2024.
• Rental Market: The average rent rose by 21.1 percent in the same time.

These figures demonstrate the resiliency and robustness of the real estate market in Dubai, and it is a good opportunity to start a real estate business.

Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Real Estate Business in Dubai

1. Meet Eligibility Criteria

You must make sure before you apply to get a licence:

• You are at least 21 years old.
• You have a high school diploma or the equivalent.
• There are international students who are residents of the UAE (residency visa is essential).

2. Choose the Right Business Structure

The arrangements of both mainland and free zone are permitted in Dubai:

Mainland Company: Lets you work throughout Dubai and the UAE.

Free Zone Company: Provides such benefits as 100 percent foreign ownership and the absence of taxation but can be limited to the dealings on the mainland.

Popular structures include:

• Sole Establishment: Full Control and full liability.
• Civil Company: Partners have a common responsibility.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): It is flexible and has limited liability, and it can have more than one shareholder.

As a foreign investor, a Partner Visa will assist in co-owning the business on a legal basis and being able to live in the UAE.

3. Reserve Your Trade Name

Applicant should submit the name of the company of choice to the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), which must satisfy the criteria of naming.

4. Obtain Initial Approval

The DED is the first to approve you, and once that is done, you can proceed with the licensing process. Passport copies, residency information and police clearance certificate are required.

5. Draft the Memorandum of Association (MoA)

This legal document provides your business structure and partner obligations. Before proceeding it should be notarised.

6. Secure an Office Space

A real estate business needs to have a physical office. Register a tenancy contract with Ejari, the Dubai system of registering rental agreements.

7. Apply for Licences

Two main licences are needed:

• A trade licence from the DED.
• A real estate brokerage licence of the Dubai Land Department (DLD).

8. Register with RERA

Compliance is provided by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA). Owners and brokers of business are required to undertake RERA approved training and tests.

9. Immigration and Labour Registration

In case you intend to employ employees, register with:

• GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs).
• MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation).

Through this process, you can deal with staff visas and contracts.

10. Final Approval from DLD

The final step to launching is the approval of the Dubai Land Department. Provide your licence like DED licence and RERA certification and Ejari tenancy contract and other relevant documents.

11. Open a Business Bank Account

open Corporate bank account is a necessity. Banks also need your trade licence, MoA, the Ejari contract and your shareholder documents.

12. Register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA)

When the turnover is more than the VAT you need to be registered by FTA and have proper records of tax.

Costs of Starting a Real Estate Business in Dubai

The cost of open a real estate business in UAE will be based on business size, office location, and business marketing plans. Here’s a breakdown:

• Licensing Fees: It is: AED 12,000 to AED 20,000 (trade licence) + AED 12,900 (brokerage licence).
• RERA Training & Certification: AED 6,200- AED 10,800.
• Office Space: AED 20,000/year.
• Staffing & Visas: AED 4, 000 to AED 7,000 per visa.
• Marketing Costs: AED 5,000 15,000 websites, SEO and online advertisements.
• Miscellaneous: Office set-up, utilities, software and legal expenses.

The average cost of starting up is AED 50,000 to AED 150,000.

Crafting a Strong Business Plan

Growth cannot be achieved without a strategic business plan. It should cover:

• SWOT Analysis: Find the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
• Marketing Strategy: Establish your target market, prices, channels and promotion.
• Operational Plan: Pay attention to personnel, client management and compliance.

The effective real estate companies constantly analyze and revise their strategies to align with the changing market of Dubai.

Real-Life Success Stories

Two most dominant players in the Dubai real estate market:

Aeon & Trisl Real Estate

• Established collaboration with the major developers.
• Developed a powerful brand name.
• Customer oriented, getting repeat business.

Provident Real Estate

• Developed a powerful digital presence (self-optimization and social media).
• Applied interesting content and e-mailing.
• Earned confidence through market knowledge.

Tips to Succeed in Dubai’s Real Estate Market

• Establish excellent connections with developers and clients.
• Stable and reliable brand.
• Reach more people using digital marketing.
• Give quality customer service to promote referrals.
• Keep abreast with market trends and regulations

Lesson: It is possible to become successful by establishing powerful connections, investing in digital marketing, and providing high-quality customer service.

Why Work with Company Setup Experts?

The establishment of a real estate business in Dubai comes with a variety of processes, documentation and audits. It can be easy to cooperate with such professionals as CompanySetup.ae. We cover trade licence applications to RERA registration and visa processing, so that you can concentrate on developing your brand.

Are You Planning to Start Real Estate Business in Dubai ! Send Us Your Inquiry

FAQs About How to Start a Real Estate Business in Dubai, UAE

Is real estate business profitable in Dubai?

Yes. Dubai real estate is a good source of profit due to the high demand, property prices, and good rental returns. Investors all over the world still want to invest in the sector.

How can I start real estate in Dubai?

Before you can start operating your business, you have to register your business, obtain a trade licence, undergo RERA training, rent office space, and receive final approval by the DLD.

Which type of real estate business is most profitable?

Some of the most lucrative sections in the Dubai real estate industry are luxury property brokerage, off-plan property sales as well as rental management services.

Final Thoughts

The real estate market in Dubai is rich in opportunities to ambitious businessmen. It is possible to start a successful real estate business in the UAE by taking the right steps which include licensing, compliance, and strategic planning. By having the professional assistance of CompanySetup.ae, you can make it easy, get it right, and be prepared to expand.

Contact us our experienced team for a complimentary consultation and gain valuable insights into the real estate business in Dubai.

To Speak with our Experienced Business Consultants for further information and assistance, call us at +971-582-595-164. Send a WhatsApp Message for Chat Query on +971 582595164 or email us at info@companysetup.ae.