A facilities management licence in Dubai costs AED 18,000–35,000 all-in during your first year. The Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) approves your FM activities within 3–5 weeks, provided you have a qualified MEP or FM manager on staff. Hard-FM activities (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) require separate Dubai Municipality and Civil Defence sign-off.
What Is a Facilities Management Licence in Dubai?
A facilities management licence from the Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) permits your company to deliver integrated or specialist FM services across Dubai’s commercial, residential and industrial sectors. This includes soft services (cleaning, waste, security liaison) and hard services (MEP maintenance, building systems). DBS has guided 80,000+ entrepreneurs through activity-specific licensing since 2009.
DET Facilities Management Activity Codes & Scope
DET categorises FM under activity codes 8110 (General cleaning & waste services), 8130 (Landscaping & grounds maintenance), and 7490 (Specialised engineering maintenance). An integrated FM licence typically covers multiple sub-activities under one approval, allowing you to offer bundled services—soft FM, MEP maintenance, pest control, waste management, and building systems monitoring—without separate licences for each discipline.
| Activity Code | Service Type | Scope Example |
|---|---|---|
| 8110 | General FM | Cleaning, waste collection, basic maintenance |
| 8130 | Grounds & Landscaping | Outdoor maintenance, irrigation, grounds upkeep |
| 7490 | MEP Specialised | HVAC, electrical systems, plumbing maintenance |
Not sure which codes apply to your FM model? WhatsApp DBS on +971 54 332 2846 for a free 15-minute code-mapping call.
Facilities Management Licence Cost in Dubai 2026
The all-in first-year cost for an FM licence in Dubai ranges from AED 18,000 to AED 35,000, depending on business structure (mainland vs. free-zone), activity scope, and office location. This covers DET licence fee, DM & Civil Defence pre-approvals for hard-FM, trade name registration, visa stamp, and initial compliance documentation. Year two onwards, renewal costs drop to AED 3,000–8,000.
| Cost Component | Mainland Dubai | Free Zone (Jebel Ali, DAFZA, RAK) |
|---|---|---|
| DET Licence (initial) | AED 1,500–3,000 | AED 2,500–4,500 |
| Office Lease / Virtual (annual) | AED 5,000–15,000 | AED 3,000–8,000 |
| DM & CD Pre-Approvals (hard-FM) | AED 2,000–4,500 | Included in zone fee |
| Visas, Trade Name, Compliance | AED 4,000–8,000 | AED 2,000–5,000 |
| Total First Year | AED 18,000–35,000 | AED 18,000–32,000 |
Free-zone FM setups often cost less; ask DBS about DAFZA or RAK advantages for your model.
Dubai Municipality & Civil Defence Approvals for Hard-FM
If your FM scope includes mechanical, electrical, or plumbing (MEP) maintenance—such as HVAC servicing, electrical panel inspections, or chiller plant operation—Dubai Municipality (DM) and Dubai Civil Defence (CD) require pre-approval before DET grants your licence. This involves submitting your qualified MEP manager’s CV, insurance certificates (AED 500–1,500), and a scope-of-work declaration. DM & CD approval typically adds 2–3 weeks to your overall timeline.
Qualified Facilities Management or MEP Manager Requirement
DET mandates that every FM licence holder appoints at least one full-time qualified manager with relevant FM, building systems, or MEP engineering credentials. This person must hold a valid UAE labour contract and be registered with the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE). Acceptable qualifications include FM diplomas, MEP engineering degrees, or equivalent Gulf-region certifications. Visa sponsorship for this manager is included in your year-one setup cost.
DET Approval Timeline & Next Steps
Once you submit a complete DET application—including trade name approval, office lease, manager CV, and (if applicable) DM & CD pre-approvals—the Department of Economy & Tourism approves your FM licence within 3–5 working weeks. The full setup from initial consultation to final licence issuance takes 6–8 weeks on mainland. Free-zone applications may be 1–2 weeks faster due to streamlined processing.
Want a step-by-step setup roadmap? Contact DBS: WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 or email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com.
Integrated FM vs. General Maintenance Licensing
An integrated FM licence bundles soft services (cleaning, waste, grounds, pest control) and hard services (MEP, building systems) under one DET approval and a single compliance umbrella. A general maintenance or repair licence, by contrast, is narrower and may exclude integrated service delivery or multi-discipline offerings. Integrated FM appeals to businesses targeting corporate clients who want single-vendor responsibility and consolidated invoicing. DBS’s Dubai business setup consultants help you design a licence scope that matches your target market.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a facilities management licence cost in Dubai in 2026?
An FM licence costs AED 18,000–35,000 all-in during your first year on the mainland, including DET licence fee, office lease, manager sponsorship, and DM/CD approvals (for hard-FM). Free-zone setups typically range AED 18,000–32,000. Year two renewal is AED 3,000–8,000 annually. Exact price depends on activity scope and location.
What activities can a Dubai FM company perform under one integrated licence?
An integrated FM licence covers soft services (cleaning, waste management, grounds maintenance, pest control, waste) and hard services (HVAC, electrical, plumbing maintenance, building systems monitoring). DET activity codes 8110, 8130, and 7490 form the typical FM licensing umbrella, allowing single-vendor bundled service delivery without separate licences per discipline.
Do facilities management firms need DM or Civil Defence approvals?
Yes—if your FM scope includes mechanical, electrical, or plumbing (MEP) activities. Dubai Municipality and Dubai Civil Defence require pre-approval before DET issues your licence. You must submit your qualified MEP manager’s credentials, insurance, and a scope-of-work declaration. This adds 2–3 weeks to your approval timeline.
Is integrated FM different from general maintenance licensing?
Yes. Integrated FM bundles soft and hard services under one DET licence with unified compliance and a single manager responsible for all disciplines. General maintenance licensing is narrower, covering single-trade repairs. Integrated FM attracts corporate clients seeking consolidated vendor relationships and is easier to scale operationally.
How long does it take to set up an FM company in Dubai?
From initial consultation to final licence issuance, expect 6–8 weeks on mainland. DET approval itself takes 3–5 weeks once your complete application is submitted. DM and Civil Defence pre-approvals (for hard-FM) add 2–3 weeks. Free-zone setups may be 1–2 weeks faster due to streamlined processing.
What qualifications must my FM manager hold?
Your full-time, MOHRE-registered FM manager must have relevant credentials: FM diploma, MEP engineering degree, or equivalent Gulf-region certifications. DET reviews the CV to confirm competence in building systems, MEP, or integrated FM operations. Visa sponsorship for this manager is included in your first-year setup costs.
Can I set up an FM company in a Dubai free zone instead of mainland?
Yes. Free zones like Jebel Ali, DAFZA, and RAK offer FM licences at AED 18,000–32,000 all-in (often lower than mainland due to bundled approvals). Free-zone FM companies can service mainland clients via a trade licence agreement. Free-zone approval is typically 1–2 weeks faster. Consult DBS to compare your specific model.
Get expert help in 20 minutes
Need clarity on your Dubai setup? Talk to DBS Documents Clearing LLC — 80,000+ entrepreneurs served since 2009. WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 or email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com for a free 20-minute scoping call.
