UAE to Implement Music Licensing Fees for Businesses from December 2026

Aug 15, 2026

84 min

Aug 15, 2026 14:31

How much will UAE businesses pay to play music from December? Fees explained

## New Licensing Framework

Starting December 2026, businesses in the UAE, including restaurants, hotels, gyms, and malls, will be required to pay annual licensing fees for playing copyrighted music. This initiative, introduced by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, aims to regulate the public use of protected music in commercial settings.

## Fee Structure

For restaurants and cafés, fees will begin at Dh1,500 for venues with up to 50 seats, increasing to Dh4,800 for those with 101 to 200 seats. Venues with more than 200 seats will incur an additional charge of Dh20 per seat, capped at Dh6,000 annually. Establishments offering DJ services will face higher fees, starting at Dh2,500 for up to 50 seats.

Retail shops and commercial complexes will pay based on their size, with fees starting at Dh1,700 for spaces up to 300 square meters. Larger shopping centers will have a different tariff, beginning at Dh625 for the first 100 square meters of common areas.

Fitness centers will be charged Dh1,700 for up to 300 square meters, with additional fees for larger spaces. Hotels will pay according to their classification and room count, with fees ranging from Dh50 to Dh150 per room.

## Exemptions and Collection

Educational institutions, government entities, and non-commercial personal celebrations are exempt from these fees. The Emirates Music Rights Association and Music Nation will collect the fees, which will be distributed to rights holders.

## Cultural Support Fund

A portion of the collected fees will support a Cultural Support Fund for Music, aimed at promoting music composition, production, and live performances. This fund will be managed by a joint committee from the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the Ministry of Culture.

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