RERA Licence Cost in Dubai: Full Fee Breakdown (2026)

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Complete breakdown of RERA licensing fees, DREI training costs, exam charges, and annual renewal expenses for real estate professionals in Dubai

A RERA license in Dubai costs between AED 6,920 and AED 30,000+ depending on whether you are registering as an individual broker or setting up a brokerage company. The total includes DREI training fees (AED 2,400–3,500), the RERA activity registration fee (AED 5,000–5,020 per activity, per Dubai Land Department), exam charges (AED 3,200–15,750 based on qualifications), and the broker card issuance fee (AED 520). An LLC-structured brokerage firm pays approximately AED 12,950 for the DLD licence component alone, before training and staffing costs.

This guide covers every line-item fee you will encounter during the RERA licensing process in Dubai: DREI-certified training, the RERA examination, broker card issuance, DLD activity registration, DET trade licence components, annual renewal costs, and advertising permit charges through the Trakheesi system. We also flag where fees vary by qualification level, business structure, and activity type so you can build an accurate budget before committing.

What Is a RERA Licence and Who Needs One

RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency) is the regulatory arm of the Dubai Land Department (DLD) responsible for licensing and overseeing all real estate professionals operating in the emirate. Any individual or company engaged in property brokerage, leasing management, valuation, development, or related activities in Dubai must hold a valid RERA registration. Operating without one exposes both individuals and firms to fines of up to AED 50,000 and potential licence suspension.

The term “RERA licence” in practice refers to a package of approvals rather than a single document. You need a DET (Department of Economy and Tourism) trade licence with the correct real estate activity code, a RERA activity registration through the DLD’s Trakheesi system, and an individual broker card for each practising agent. The costs discussed in this guide cover all three components, since skipping any one of them leaves you unable to operate legally.

RERA Licence Cost Breakdown by Activity Type

The Dubai Land Department’s official fee schedule for real estate activity licences sets annual registration fees based on the type of activity you register. These are DLD charges paid through the Trakheesi system and are separate from DET trade licence fees, training costs, and individual broker card fees. Each activity also carries a mandatory AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation Fee.

Activity Category	Examples	Annual DLD Fee	Additional Fees
Real Estate Brokerage (Sales & Leasing)	Sales brokerage, leasing brokerage, mortgage brokerage, consultancy	AED 5,000	AED 20 (Knowledge & Innovation)
Real Estate Exhibition Organisation	Exhibition planning, promotional events	AED 10,000	AED 20 (Knowledge & Innovation)
Owners’ Association Management	Administrative supervision of jointly owned properties	AED 10,000	AED 20 (Knowledge & Innovation)
Real Estate Valuation Services	Property inspection, land surveying	AED 10,000	AED 20 (Knowledge & Innovation)
Third-Party Property Leasing & Management	Managing properties for other owners	AED 15,000	AED 20 + AED 5 million bank guarantee
Real Estate Development	Developing and selling properties	AED 25,000	AED 20 (Knowledge & Innovation)
Real Estate Registration Trustee	Registration trustee, services trustee, promotion trustee	AED 100,000	AED 20 + DLD agreement required

Source: Dubai Land Department – Real Estate Activity Licence service page. Fees current as of February 2026.

Most individual brokers and small agencies register under the “Other Activities” category at AED 5,000 per activity, which covers sales brokerage, leasing brokerage, mortgage brokerage, and real estate consultancy. If your firm handles multiple activity types, each activity incurs its own annual fee. A company registered for both sales brokerage (AED 5,000) and property management for third parties (AED 15,000) pays AED 20,000 in DLD activity fees alone.

DREI Training Course Fees

Before sitting the RERA exam, every prospective broker must complete the Certified Training for Real Estate Brokers programme. This was historically delivered exclusively by the Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI), the educational arm of DLD. Following DREI’s restructuring, RERA-approved training is now delivered through authorised institutes including the Innovation Experts Real Estate Institute (IEREI) and other DLD-endorsed providers. The course content remains standardised and covers UAE property law, brokerage ethics, sales and leasing procedures, and regulatory compliance.

The course typically runs over two to five days depending on the provider and format (in-person or online). Training fees at authorised providers range from AED 2,400 to AED 3,500, excluding the examination fee. Some providers bundle the exam fee into their package, so confirm what is included before enrolling. The Innovation Experts Real Estate Institute lists the brokerage training course at AED 2,400, exclusive of exam fees. Classes are available in English, Arabic, and Mandarin at select providers.

Training Component	Cost Range	Duration	Notes
RERA-Certified Brokerage Course	AED 2,400–3,500	2–5 days	In-person or online; price varies by provider
Renewal/Refresher Course	AED 700–2,500	1–2 days	Required before annual licence renewal; AML refresher now included

RERA Exam Fees by Qualification Level

The RERA registration exam is administered by DLD and tests knowledge of Dubai real estate regulations, property law, brokerage ethics, and transaction procedures. The exam fee depends on your highest educational qualification, creating a significant cost difference between degree holders and non-degree applicants. A passing score of 75–85% is required (the threshold has shifted over recent years; confirm the current pass mark when registering).

Applicant Qualification	Exam Fee	Re-Sit Fee
Bachelor’s degree or higher	AED 3,200	AED 700
High school diploma (no bachelor’s degree)	AED 6,300	AED 700
No formal educational qualifications	AED 15,750	AED 700

Source: Fees widely reported by multiple DLD-authorised training providers and business setup consultancies. The DLD announcement on annual testing confirms a registration fee of AED 700 for the exam and AED 2,500 for the training course for renewal purposes. First-time exam fees by qualification are published through the Trakheesi registration portal.

The cost gap between qualification tiers is substantial. A bachelor’s degree holder pays AED 3,200 for the exam; someone without any formal qualifications pays nearly five times more at AED 15,750. This reflects additional assessment requirements rather than a punitive surcharge—non-degree applicants undergo a more comprehensive evaluation. If you hold a foreign degree, have it attested and translated before registering to qualify for the lower fee band.

Broker Card Issuance and Renewal Costs

After passing the exam, each individual practitioner must obtain a RERA broker card (also called a professional practice card) through the Trakheesi system. This card carries your unique Broker Registration Number (BRN) and must be valid for you to legally facilitate any property transaction. The card is linked to your trade licence validity and must be renewed annually.

Card Type	Issuance Fee	Renewal Fee	Additional Fees
Real estate broker card	AED 500	AED 500	AED 20 (Knowledge & Innovation)
National broker card	AED 500	AED 500	AED 20 (Knowledge & Innovation)
Real estate consultant card	AED 500	AED 500	AED 20 (Knowledge & Innovation)
Mortgage broker card	AED 500	AED 500	AED 20 (Knowledge & Innovation)
Property management card	AED 500	AED 500	AED 20 (Knowledge & Innovation)
Real estate evaluator card	AED 5,000	AED 5,000	AED 20 (Knowledge & Innovation)

Source: DLD – Issuance of a Real Estate Professional Practice Card and DLD – Renewal of a Real Estate Professional Practice Card.

The broker card is issued within two working days of payment through the Trakheesi system. For renewal, RERA requires passing the annual broker exam before submitting a renewal application. Renew at least one month before expiry to avoid penalties or being required to repeat the full DREI course. Late renewal can result in temporary suspension of your BRN, blocking you from listing properties on portals like Bayut and Property Finder.

Total RERA Licence Cost: Individual Broker vs Brokerage Company

The total cost varies significantly between an individual registering as a broker under an existing agency and an entrepreneur setting up a new brokerage firm. Below are two representative cost scenarios based on verified fee components.

Scenario 1: Individual Broker (Employed by Existing Agency)

Cost Component	With Bachelor’s Degree	Without Degree
DREI-certified training course	AED 2,400–3,500	AED 2,400–3,500
RERA registration exam	AED 3,200	AED 6,300–15,750
Good conduct certificate (Dubai Police)	AED 200	AED 200
Broker card issuance	AED 520	AED 520
Estimated Total	AED 6,320–7,420	AED 9,420–19,970

These figures assume your employer (the brokerage firm) handles the DET trade licence and DLD activity registration. Most agencies cover these costs and pass only the individual training, exam, and card fees to the broker. Confirm with your employer what is included in your onboarding package.

Scenario 2: Setting Up a New Brokerage Company (LLC)

Cost Component	Estimated Amount	Paid To
DET trade licence (with real estate activity)	AED 10,000–15,000	Department of Economy and Tourism
DLD RERA activity registration (brokerage)	AED 5,020	Dubai Land Department
Trade name reservation	AED 500–2,000	DET
DREI training + exam (owner, with degree)	AED 5,600–6,700	Training provider + DLD
Broker card (owner)	AED 520	DLD (Trakheesi)
Good conduct certificate	AED 200	Dubai Police
Office lease (Ejari-registered, minimum)	AED 15,000–50,000/year	Landlord
Estimated Total (Year 1)	AED 37,000–80,000+	Multiple authorities

The wide range reflects variables such as office location (a flexi-desk in a free zone like DMCC costs less than a physical office in Business Bay), the number of activity codes registered, and whether you hire additional brokers who each need their own cards and training. Free zone setups may have different fee structures but still require RERA registration if operating in the Dubai real estate market.

Annual Renewal Costs

RERA licences, broker cards, and DET trade licences all operate on annual renewal cycles. Missing any renewal deadline can trigger fines, suspension of your BRN, and removal from property listing portals. Budget for the following recurring annual costs.

Renewal Item	Annual Cost	Condition
DLD RERA activity registration	AED 5,020+ (per activity)	Automatic with trade licence renewal
Broker card renewal	AED 520	Must pass annual RERA exam first
Annual RERA exam (renewal)	AED 700	Mandatory for all brokers
Refresher training (if required)	AED 700–2,500	May include AML e-learning module
DET trade licence renewal	AED 10,000–15,000	For brokerage firms only

In total, an individual broker working under an existing agency should budget AED 1,720–3,720 per year for renewal costs (exam + refresher + card). A brokerage firm owner faces AED 16,000–23,000+ annually when including the trade licence, activity fees, and all agent renewals.

Trakheesi Advertising Permit Fees

Every property advertisement in Dubai—whether on Bayut, Property Finder, social media, print, SMS, or billboards—requires a valid Trakheesi permit number. Operating without one carries fines of up to AED 50,000 per unpermitted advertisement. These permit costs are separate from your licence fees and should be factored into your operational budget.

The standard Trakheesi advertising permit fee is approximately AED 1,020–1,050 per permit type, plus the standard AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation Fee. Permits cover specific advertising categories (online classifieds, print, SMS, outdoor, promotional stands) and must be renewed as needed. High-volume brokerages can use the Trakheesi API to bulk-generate permits, reducing administrative overhead.

Step-by-Step Process to Obtain a RERA Licence in Dubai

Understanding where each fee applies in the licensing sequence helps you plan cash flow and avoid delays. Below is the standard process for a new broker registration in Dubai.

Step 1: Secure a UAE Residency Visa

Where: Through your employer (for employed brokers) or via your own company visa allocation

What you need: Valid passport, employment offer or company establishment documents, medical fitness test, Emirates ID application

Fee: Varies (typically covered by employer; self-sponsored visas cost AED 3,000–7,000)

UAE nationals and GCC citizens can skip this step. Non-residents must hold a valid residency visa before applying for any RERA registration. Tourist or visit visas do not qualify.

Step 2: Complete RERA-Certified Broker Training

Where: RERA-authorised training provider (Innovation Experts Real Estate Institute, DX Broker, ThinkProp, or other approved centres)

What you need: Emirates ID copy, passport copy, residency visa copy

Fee: AED 2,400–3,500

Duration: 2–5 days (in-person or online)

Ensure the provider is currently authorised by RERA. Unauthorised courses will not be accepted for exam registration.

Step 3: Pass the RERA Registration Exam

Where: DLD Exam Registration portal

What you need: Training completion certificate, Emirates ID, educational qualification documents

Fee: AED 3,200 (with degree) / AED 6,300 (without degree) / AED 15,750 (no qualifications)

Pass mark: 75–85% (confirm current threshold at registration)

If you fail, the re-sit fee is AED 700. A second failure may impose a waiting period before retaking.

Step 4: Obtain a Good Conduct Certificate

Where: Dubai Police website or app

What you need: Emirates ID, passport copy

Fee: AED 200

Timeline: 2–3 working days

The certificate must be addressed to Dubai Land Department or RERA.

Step 5: Apply for Your Broker Card via Trakheesi

Where: DLD Trakheesi system

What you need: DREI course certificate, exam results, good conduct certificate, Emirates ID, passport copy, personal photo

Fee: AED 520 (AED 500 + AED 20 Knowledge & Innovation Fee)

Timeline: 2 working days after payment

Step 6: Register the DET Trade Licence (For New Companies)

Where: DET invest.dubai.ae portal or relevant free zone authority

What you need: MOA (Memorandum of Association), office lease with Ejari registration, shareholder documents, UBO declaration

Fee: AED 10,000–15,000 for mainland; varies for free zones

If you are joining an existing brokerage as an employed agent, your employer handles this step.

Step 7: Complete RERA Activity Registration

Where: DLD Trakheesi system – Real Estate Activity Licence

What you need: DET trade licence copy, all broker card details

Fee: AED 5,020 per activity (for brokerage activities)

Timeline: 1 working day

Mainland vs Free Zone RERA Licence Costs

Dubai real estate brokerage licences can be structured through either a DET mainland licence or a free zone entity (commonly DMCC, IFZA, or RAKEZ with a DLD approval). The RERA registration requirements and DLD activity fees are identical regardless of jurisdiction—both mainland and free zone brokerages must register with RERA through Trakheesi. The difference lies in the trade licence structure and its associated costs.

Factor	DET Mainland	Free Zone (e.g., DMCC)
Trade licence cost	AED 10,000–15,000/year	AED 15,000–50,000/year (varies by free zone)
DLD RERA activity fee	AED 5,020/activity	AED 5,020/activity (same)
NOC requirement	Not required	NOC from free zone authority required for RERA registration
Office requirement	Physical office with Ejari	Flexi-desk possible at some free zones
Operational scope	Full Dubai and UAE market access	Full Dubai market access (with RERA registration)

Free zone entities must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their licensing authority before RERA will process the activity registration. This adds a step but does not change the DLD fee. DMCC and IFZA offer fast-track packages that can compress the initial setup period to 5–7 days, though this does not accelerate the RERA training and exam timeline.

Common Mistakes That Increase RERA Licence Costs

Several avoidable errors inflate the total cost of obtaining and maintaining a RERA licence. Awareness of these pitfalls saves both money and time.

Registering unnecessary activity codes. Each RERA activity incurs its own annual fee. If you register for both sales brokerage and leasing brokerage but only perform leasing, you pay double the DLD fee without benefit. Start with the activity codes you will actively use in year one; adding activities later is straightforward and cheaper than paying for unused registrations.

Failing the exam on the first attempt. Each re-sit costs AED 700, and a second failure may require repeating the full training course (AED 2,400–3,500). Invest adequate preparation time before sitting the exam. Most authorised providers offer study materials and mock exams.

Missing renewal deadlines. Late renewal of your broker card can require you to redo the full DREI course rather than just the refresher programme. Some agencies also impose internal penalties for brokers who lapse. Set a calendar reminder 45 days before your card and licence expiry dates.

Choosing an unrecognised training provider. Only RERA-authorised training centres issue certificates accepted for exam registration. Verify current authorisation status directly with DLD before enrolling. Unauthorised courses waste both time and fees.

FAQ

How Much Does a RERA Licence Cost in Dubai for a New Broker?

A new individual broker with a bachelor’s degree should budget AED 6,320–7,420 for training (AED 2,400–3,500), the exam (AED 3,200), good conduct certificate (AED 200), and broker card issuance (AED 520). Without a degree, the exam alone rises to AED 6,300–15,750, pushing the total to AED 9,420–19,970. These figures assume your employer covers the company-level DET and DLD registration costs.

What Is the RERA Exam Fee for Degree Holders vs Non-Degree Applicants?

Bachelor’s degree holders pay AED 3,200 for the RERA registration exam. Applicants with a high school diploma but no degree pay AED 6,300. Those without formal educational qualifications pay AED 15,750. The re-sit fee for any category is AED 700. Have your foreign degree attested before registration to qualify for the lower band.

How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Real Estate Brokerage Company in Dubai?

Setting up an LLC brokerage costs approximately AED 37,000–80,000 in year one, covering the DET trade licence (AED 10,000–15,000), DLD activity registration (AED 5,020), trade name reservation (AED 500–2,000), training and exam for the owner (AED 5,600–6,700), broker card (AED 520), and office lease (AED 15,000–50,000). Free zone setups may carry different trade licence fees but identical RERA charges.

What Are the Annual Renewal Costs for a RERA Licence?

Individual broker renewal costs AED 1,720–3,720 per year, covering the annual exam (AED 700), refresher training (AED 700–2,500), and broker card renewal (AED 520). A brokerage firm additionally pays AED 5,020+ for DLD activity renewal and AED 10,000–15,000 for DET trade licence renewal. Renew at least 30 days before expiry to avoid penalties.

Do I Need a Separate Licence for Each Real Estate Activity?

Yes. The DLD charges a separate annual fee for each registered activity. Sales brokerage, leasing brokerage, property management, and real estate consultancy each carry their own AED 5,000 fee (plus AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation Fee). Register only the activities you will perform in year one to control costs—you can add activities later through Trakheesi.

Is the RERA Licence Fee Different for Mainland vs Free Zone Companies?

The DLD RERA activity registration fee (AED 5,020 for brokerage) is identical for both mainland and free zone entities. The difference is in the underlying trade licence cost: DET mainland licences typically cost AED 10,000–15,000, while free zone packages range from AED 15,000–50,000 depending on the authority. Free zone companies also need a NOC from their licensing authority before RERA registration.

How Long Does It Take to Get a RERA Licence in Dubai?

The full process from training enrolment to receiving your broker card typically takes 3–6 weeks. Training runs 2–5 days, exam results come within days, the good conduct certificate takes 2–3 working days, and broker card issuance takes 2 working days after payment. Setting up a new brokerage company adds 2–4 weeks for DET and Trakheesi processing.

What Happens If I Operate Without a RERA Licence in Dubai?

Operating without valid RERA registration is a violation of Dubai’s real estate regulations. Penalties include fines of up to AED 50,000, suspension of advertising privileges on approved portals, and potential legal action. Property portals like Bayut and Property Finder verify Trakheesi registration numbers, so unlicensed brokers cannot list properties on major platforms.

Official Sources

This guide references information from the following UAE government authorities and authorised institutions:

Regulations and fees are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the relevant official authority before proceeding.

This guide is for informational purposes only. UAE regulations and fees are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the relevant official authority before proceeding with any application or transaction.

Omar Al Nasser

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About the authors

Omar Al Nasser

Omar Al Nasser is a Senior Content Creator & Analyst at UAE Experts HUB, specializing in Dubai real estate registration, title deeds, and official government procedures.