Letting your Dubai home to visitors
Short-term letting in Dubai needs a permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism.
Dubai welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, and many owners let their homes to visitors. This guide explains how to do it legally.
- 01Register on DET's Holiday Homes system first.
- 02Each holiday home needs its own DET permit.
- 03Documents: title deed, owner ID and DEWA bill.
- 04Renew the permit before it expires.
Step one: register
Owners and operators must register on the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) Holiday Homes system before letting a home to visitors.
Step two: the permit
A separate DET permit is needed for each holiday home. You will need the title deed or sale agreement, the owner's ID and a current DEWA bill. Permits must be renewed before they expire.
Demand
Dubai welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, according to DET.
Your income
0% income tax and 0% property tax* *T&Cs apply. The UAE does not levy income tax on individuals. Rental income from property held in a personal capacity, without a commercial licence, is outside UAE Corporate Tax (Cabinet Decision No. 49 of 2023). The only payments when you buy are one-off government fees on the transaction: a 2% registration (transfer) fee in Abu Dhabi, paid by the buyer, and a 4% registration fee in Dubai. Property held through a company is treated differently.
Returns are not guaranteed; terms and conditions apply.
Let us manage it
iRealtor property management can help with permits, guests and upkeep.
This article is general guidance, not tax, legal or financial advice.
FAQs
Do I need a permit to let my Dubai home to visitors?
Yes. Each holiday home needs a permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism.
What documents are needed?
The title deed or sale agreement, the owner's ID and a current DEWA bill.
Does the permit need renewing?
Yes. Permits must be renewed before they expire.
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism – Register as a holiday home operator
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism – Apply for a holiday home permit
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism – Renew a holiday homes permit
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism – Dubai welcomes 19.59 million visitors in third record year
- u.ae – Taxation
- WAM – Ministry of Finance announces Cabinet Decision on natural persons in business activities (Cabinet Decision No. 49 of 2023)
- Federal Tax Authority – Real Estate Investment for Natural Persons, Corporate Tax Guide (October 2024)
