Real Estate & Business Services · Commercial licence · Code 6810001
شراءالاراضي والعقارات وبيعها
How to set up a Buying and selling of real estate business in Dubai: the approvals, premises and ownership rules for activity code 6810001, and each step to the trade licence.
Fees last checked · Licensing authority: Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the authority before you pay.
ISIC classification: Real estate activities with own or leased property (6810)
Typically requires Designated Zone status for VAT purposes
About this activity
Commercial trading license authorizing the entity to purchase, hold, develop, and sell land plots, residential buildings, and commercial real estate using proprietary capital. Prohibits third-party real estate brokerage.
Regulatory requirements
Abu DhabiCheapest
ADDED · Per-activity fee
AED 2,500
Dubai
DET · Base + 5% of rent
Approvals: Real estate
Sharjah
SEDD · Per-license (quote required)
Approvals: Real Estate Registration Department
Analysis
Abu Dhabi is the cheapest emirate for this licence at AED 2,500, while Dubai's rent-linked formula pushes the cost to AED 8,000 or more; Sharjah is quote-only. This code covers real estate trading as a principal — buying, holding, and reselling property — distinct from brokerage, which only matches buyers and sellers; it covers flipping, portfolio building, and strategic acquisition. Dubai's property market is the region's most liquid, with roughly AED 500 billion in transactions in 2025, but that comes with high entry prices, heavy competition, and RERA compliance overhead. Abu Dhabi's market is smaller but expanding, with areas like Saadiyat, Yas Island, and Reem Island drawing growing international investment; state-linked developers such as Aldar and Modon dominate primary supply, leaving private operators to compete mainly in secondary-market resale. Foreign investors have been able to own 100% of a property-trading business since 2021, with no local sponsor required, though RERA/DOT registration, escrow arrangements, and meaningful capital reserves are practical prerequisites. In short: Dubai suits those chasing market depth and liquidity, while Abu Dhabi's low AED 2,500 fee favors capital-appreciation-focused plays.
Confirm the activity and legal form
Apply under activity code 6810001 (Buying and selling of real estate) on a commercial licence. Choose the legal form, most often a limited liability company (LLC) or a sole establishment, and list any other activities you plan to add.
Reserve a trade name and get initial approval
Apply to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to reserve the trade name and receive initial approval. Initial approval confirms the government has no objection to you starting the business.
Get the external approval
This activity needs approval from Local Land Department (DLD / Abu Dhabi Municipality) before the licence is issued. Apply once you have initial approval; the authority may inspect your premises or ask for qualifications.
Secure the right premises
The activity calls for commercial office space. Sign a lease and register it with Ejari; the registered tenancy is part of the licence file.
Sign the founding documents
Sign the Memorandum of Association (or the sole-owner equivalent) setting out the owners and their shares.
Pay the fees and collect the trade licence
Pay the licence fee, which starts at AED 2,500 in Abu Dhabi, plus market and registration charges, and DET issues the trade licence.
After the licence
Get the establishment card, apply for residence visas, open a corporate bank account and register for Corporate Tax with the Federal Tax Authority. Register for VAT once taxable turnover passes AED 375,000 a year.
See the documents you'll need and what to do after you incorporate.
The duties every new UAE company meets, whatever its activity. Each links to a short explainer series with the law behind it.
Beneficial owner register
Within 60 days of the company existing, keep a register of its beneficial owners and of its partners or shareholders, and file them with the registrar.
Corporate tax
Register for corporate tax within three months of incorporation, and file each return within nine months of the end of the tax period.
VAT
Register for VAT once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000, then issue tax invoices and file returns for each tax period.
Staff
Hiring people brings the federal labour law: the contract and probation, hours, leave and wages, the employee file, and ending employment properly.
Records
Keep accounting records that show the company's financial position for at least five years after the end of each financial year; tax records have their own periods.
Keeping the licence
In Dubai, renew the licence in the last month before it expires, and tell the Department of Economy and Tourism within ten working days when the facts behind it change.
The government DED fee for a Buying and selling of real estate license in Abu Dhabi is AED 2,500. This is the cheapest among the 3 emirates where this activity is available. Additional costs may include office rent, visa fees, and external approval charges.
Abu Dhabi offers the lowest government fee at AED 2,500. However, total setup costs also depend on office rent, visa requirements, and any external approvals needed for this activity.
Yes. Since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms, most mainland business activities — including Buying and selling of real estate — allow 100% foreign ownership across all UAE emirates. A local sponsor or service agent is no longer required for most activities.
Beyond the DED license, you may need approval from: Real estate (Dubai), Real Estate Registration Department (Sharjah). Requirements vary by emirate and specific business scope.
Dubai uses a formula-based fee: approximately AED 8,000 base fee plus 5% of your annual office rent. For example, with AED 50,000 annual rent, expect roughly AED 10,500 in government fees. Dubai also offers an Instant License at AED 8,000 flat (virtual location) and budget SME/Intelaq licenses at AED 1,070.
Buying and selling of real estate is available for mainland licensing in 3 emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah. Each emirate has its own DED with independent fee structures and requirements. The fee table on this page compares them.
Buying and selling of real estate falls under the Commercial license category in the UAE. Commercial licenses cover trading, import/export, and retail activities.
Abu Dhabi is significantly cheaper at AED 2,500 versus Dubai's estimated AED 10,500 (at AED 50,000 rent). However, Dubai offers a larger market with 3.6 million residents and 16 million annual tourists.
Setup time varies by emirate: Dubai offers same-day approval with the Instant License (AED 8,000), or 1-3 working days for a Normal License. Abu Dhabi takes 2-5 working days. Sharjah and Ajman take 1-5 working days. Additional time may be needed for external approvals.
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