Real Estate Business Setup in Dubai – Licenses You Actually Need in 2025

Dubai’s property market is on fire again in 2025, and thousands of new brokers, developers, and proptech startups are rushing in. But getting your business setup consultant in Dubai wrong in this highly regulated sector is the fastest way to receive a AED 100,000+ fine or permanent ban. Here are the exact licenses, costs, and rules every real estate entrepreneur must know this year.

The Four Real Estate Activities & Required Licenses 2025

Activity	Required License	Issuing Authority	Min. Capital / Office
Real Estate Brokerage	Real Estate Broker License	Dubai Land Department (DLD)	AED 100k + 500 sq ft office
Property Management	Property Management License	DLD / RERA	Same as above
Real Estate Development	Developer License + Escrow Account	DLD	AED 10M+
PropTech / Portal	Real Estate Services + IT Services	Free zone + DLD approval	Flexi desk OK

99 % of new entrants need the Broker License first.

Step-by-Step Brokerage Setup Process 2025 (45–75 Days Total)

Phase 1 – Company Formation (14–21 days)

• Set up in mainland or specific free zones (DMCC, DAFZA, JAFZA allow real estate)
• Minimum 1 shareholder + 1 manager (can be same person)
• Rent physical office (500+ sq ft) with Ejari

Phase 2 – RERA Training & Exam

• All brokers/managers must pass official RERA exam (4-hour online course + test)
• Cost: AED 3,000–5,000 per person
• Validity: lifetime

Phase 3 – DLD Application

Submit:

• Trade license + Ejari
• RERA exam certificates
• AED 100,000 bank guarantee or cash deposit
• Manager’s experience letter (2+ years in real estate preferred) Processing: 14–30 days

Phase 4 – Broker Card & Portal Access

• Receive individual broker cards (AED 500 each)
• Access to DubaiREST app (mandatory for all transactions)

Real Costs 2025 – Brokerage Example

Item	Cost (AED)
Mainland LLC setup + office (500 sq ft)	85,000–180,000
RERA exam (2 persons)	8,000–10,000
Bank guarantee / deposit	100,000 (refundable after 3 years)
DLD license fee	12,000–25,000
First-year total	220,000–350,000

Golden Rules for 2025

1. Never start brokerage in pure free zone without DLD approval (instant ban)
2. Every transaction must go through escrow (10 % commission cap)
3. All advertising must display RERA ORN & BRN numbers
4. Off-plan sales require separate developer approval
5. Proptech portals must register as “Real Estate Services Provider” + get DLD portal license

Fastest Growing Real Estate Niches 2025

• Short-term lets / holiday homes (new Dubai Tourism license required)
• Fractional ownership platforms
• Proptech valuation & mortgage tools
• Luxury property concierge for UHNW clients

Dubai sold AED 400+ billion in property in the first 10 months of 2025. Get the licenses right and real estate remains the fastest, most lucrative sector in the emirate — get them wrong and you’re out before you start.