12/08/2026
New UAE Music Licensing Fees from December 2026
Restaurants, cafés, hotels, shopping malls, retail stores, fitness centres, airlines and other businesses using copyrighted music commercially will come under a new UAE music licensing framework from December 2026.
Licences will be valid for one year and renewable. The applicable fee will depend on the type and size of the business and how the music is used. Individual fee amounts have not yet been publicly announced.
Educational institutions, government entities, national occasions and qualifying non-commercial events are among the announced exemptions.
Businesses that play background music or host live entertainment should review their licensing and compliance requirements before implementation begins.
Spark Point Business Setup Consultants provides support with UAE commercial licences, government approvals, licence amendments and business compliance.
📞 +971 56 502 4500
🌐 http://www.sparkpoint.ae
Downtown Dubai