A restaurant licence in Dubai costs AED 15,000–35,000 all-in for your first year, depending on mainland or free-zone location and whether you need an investor visa. This covers your DET/free-zone trade licence, Dubai Municipality food permit, Food Watch registration, investor visa (if applicable), medical/Emirates ID, and a flexi-desk office address. Setup takes 3–7 working days.
What does a restaurant licence in Dubai actually cost?
A business setup in Dubai for food & beverage requires layered approvals and fees. The headline trade licence price—around AED 4,888–26,355 depending on mainland or free-zone—is only the start. You must factor in Dubai Municipality food permits, investor visas (if you’re a non-resident foreigner), medical checks, Emirates ID, office/desk space, and business insurance. Most restaurants spend AED 15,000–35,000 in year one all-in.
| Item | Mainland (DET) | Free-Zone (IFZA/Meydan) | Ajman/SHAMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade licence & registration | AED 18,200–20,000 (no visa) | AED 12,500–12,900 | AED 4,888–5,750 |
| Investor visa + medical + Emirates ID | AED 3,500–7,500 (one person) | AED 3,500–7,500 (one person) | AED 3,500–7,500 (one person) |
| Dubai Municipality food permit & Kitchen approval | AED 2,500–4,500 | Not required (zone approved) | Varies by emirate |
| Food Watch registration | AED 150–300 | AED 150–300 | AED 150–300 |
| Flexi-desk / office address (year 1) | AED 1,500–3,000 | AED 1,500–3,000 | AED 1,000–2,000 |
| Business insurance (annual) | AED 500–1,500 | AED 500–1,500 | AED 400–1,000 |
| YEAR 1 ALL-IN (estimated) | AED 26,350–36,800 | AED 17,650–24,700 | AED 10,438–16,550 |
| ⚠️ What this does NOT include: Your fit-out, kitchen equipment, staff salaries, alcohol licence (separate DM approval), food imports/SFDA approval, personal tax advice in your home country (consult your accountant), lease security deposit. | |||
| 💱 Indicative at current rates: For USD/EUR equivalents, convert AED figures at today’s rate (1 AED ≈ 0.27 USD / 0.25 EUR; check live rates at tax.gov.ae). Your home-country tax obligations differ—consult a licensed tax advisor in your country. | |||
Get a free, fully itemised quote for your location: WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846.
Mainland vs. free-zone restaurant: which is right for you?
Mainland (DET-licensed) restaurants serve walk-in customers freely and are visible to consumer searches. Free-zone restaurants (IFZA, Meydan, RAK FZ) skip the food permit, kitchen approval, and Food Watch cost—but must trade primarily with businesses or export; consumer footfall is limited unless your zone has a designated retail park. If you’re opening a classic dine-in venue for the public, mainland saves complexity. If you’re a cloud kitchen, catering wholesaler, or export-focused F&B, free-zone is leaner at AED 17,650–24,700 all-in.
Free-zone advantages: No DM kitchen approval (zone pre-approved). DET licence faster (3–4 days). Cheaper renewal (AED 7,000–10,000 vs. AED 12,000–20,000 mainland). One visa included (IFZA/Meydan) or zero-visa option available.
Mainland advantages: Retail foot-traffic. Consumer-facing marketing. Better banking relationships for hospitality. Higher prestige. But: DM food permit required (AED 2,500–4,500). Kitchen inspection mandatory. 5–7 day setup. Alcohol licence costs extra.
Talk to DBS to compare free-zone vs. mainland for your concept at +971 54 332 2846.
What approvals and licenses does a restaurant actually need?
F&B licences in Dubai layer four mandatory approvals:
- DET Trade Licence (or free-zone equivalent): Issued by Dubai Economy & Tourism. Proof you can legally operate food retail. AED 18,200–20,000 mainland; AED 12,500–12,900 free-zone. 3–7 days.
- Dubai Municipality Food Permit (mainland only): Proves your kitchen meets food-safety code. AED 2,500–4,500. Includes a kitchen inspection by DM food inspectors. Non-negotiable.
- Food Watch Registration: Dubai Health Authority mandatory traceability system for all food businesses. AED 150–300. Digital; 1–2 days.
- Alcohol Licence (if serving alcohol): Separate DM approval. AED 1,500–3,500 plus annual renewal. Longer timeline (14–21 days) and stricter location rules (no schools, mosques, hospitals within 500 m).
Free-zone restaurants skip the DM food permit because the zone’s authority (IFZA, Meydan, RAK FZ) has pre-approved food handling. Mainland cannot skip it.
DBS handles DET trade licence, visa, and banking intro. For DM permits and alcohol, we connect you with the right agency—no surprises.
How long does it take to set up a restaurant in Dubai?
Real timeline, working days only:
- Day 1–2: DBS collects your documents, applies for trade licence (DET/free-zone).
- Day 3–5: DM food permit application (mainland) or zone approval. Investor visa application begins.
- Day 6–7: DET licence issued. Visa approval. You collect your trade licence and present it to DM for final food-safety sign-off (1–2 days if paperwork is clean).
- Day 8+: Food Watch registration (same day). Banking setup meeting.
Total: 3–7 working days for the core licence. Add 3–5 days if you need an alcohol licence. Hold time before opening: DM kitchen inspection (1–2 weeks if they’re busy).
| Milestone | Mainland (DET) | Free-Zone | Depends On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade licence issued | Day 5–7 | Day 3–4 | Document completeness |
| Food permit/approval | Day 5–9 (+ inspection) | Built-in; no delay | DM inspector availability |
| Investor visa approval | Day 6–7 | Day 6–7 | GDRFA + medical clearance |
| Food Watch active | Day 7–8 | Day 7–8 | Auto-linked to licence |
| Ready to operate | Day 10–15 | Day 5–8 | DM kitchen inspection sign-off |
DBS projects real timelines. Delays usually come from incomplete documents or DM scheduler—we flag both early.
Who can get an investor visa for a restaurant in Dubai?
Any non-UAE citizen (any nationality) can apply for a one-year renewable investor visa if they own or are a partner in the licensed business. Cost: AED 3,500–7,500 per person for visa, medical check (AED 500–1,000), and new Emirates ID card. No salary requirement. Typical approval: 5–7 days after medical.
If you’re a GCC national (Saudi, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar), you don’t need an investor visa—your national ID works.
For staff: You can sponsor up to one visa per trade licence without a minimum salary (for investor-class applicants). Additional staff visas require a sponsored employment contract (AED 300–500 per visa plus MOHRE approval). Most first-year restaurants keep it simple with one investor visa and hire freelancers or part-time staff initially.
DBS handles investor visas, medical, and Emirates ID application. Banking is the next hurdle—we intro you to the right bank.
What documents do you need to open a restaurant in Dubai?
Banking-ready document checklist:
- Personal: Your passport (colour copy + translation if non-English/Arabic). Valid visa or entry stamp. Home address proof (utility bill, rental agreement—home country).
- Business: Signed Memorandum of Association (partnership deed if co-owners). Passport copy of any co-owners/partners. Proof of source of funds (bank statement, company letter, inheritance doc—home country).
- Medical: Chest X-ray (DXR), blood test (HIV/Hep B/C). Must be done at a DHA-approved clinic in Dubai after visa approval.
- For Food Licence (mainland): Tenancy contract for your kitchen/restaurant location (or letter of intent from landlord). Kitchen floor plan (A4, hand-drawn OK). Menu and sourcing list (draft; shows suppliers).
- For Alcohol (if applicable): Additional DM form + proof of no school/mosque/hospital within 500 m (Google Maps printout is fine).
DBS prepares all trade-licence documents. You sign digitally via Notarised e-signature (AED 100–200). No office visit needed unless you prefer one.
Send documents to inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com or WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846. We pack them into a bank-ready application in 24 hours.
Why do restaurant setup costs vary so much?
Four cost drivers:
- Location: Mainland (DET) is premium because of food-permit complexity. Free-zones (IFZA, Meydan) skip the DM permit. Ajman/SHAMS offer the cheapest licence (AED 4,888–5,750) but no visa and limited food-sector reputation.
- Visa: If you need an investor visa (foreigner, non-GCC), add AED 3,500–7,500. If you’re GCC, skip it.
- Alcohol: No alcohol = AED 2,500–4,500 saved. Alcohol adds complexity and cost.
- Office/Kitchen: A flexi-desk is AED 1,500–3,000/year. A dedicated kitchen rental or fit-out is a capital cost outside the licence tier.
DBS recommendation for most first-time restaurateurs: Start mainland (DET) if you’re doing dine-in for the public and want consumer prestige. Expect AED 26,350–36,800 all-in. If you’re a cloud kitchen or wholesaler, free-zone (IFZA) at AED 17,650–24,700 is faster and cheaper. Either way, you get Dubai free zone company formation expertise and a straight banking intro from DBS.
Not sure which fits your model? Get a free, fully itemised quote from DBS—no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a restaurant licence cost in Dubai?
Restaurant licence costs AED 15,000–35,000 all-in for year one. Mainland (DET) trade licence alone is AED 18,200–20,000 plus DM food permit (AED 2,500–4,500) and investor visa if needed (AED 3,500–7,500). Free-zone (IFZA, Meydan) is cheaper: AED 12,500–12,900 licence plus visa if applicable, but no walk-in retail traffic. Renewal: AED 7,000–20,000 depending on location.
Should I set up my restaurant on the mainland or in a free zone?
Mainland (DET) if you’re opening a consumer-facing dine-in restaurant; you get foot-traffic and consumer marketing. Free-zone (IFZA, Meydan, RAK FZ) if you’re a cloud kitchen, catering wholesaler, or export-focused. Free-zones skip the Dubai Municipality food permit (cheaper, faster), but customers must be businesses, not the public. Most first restaurants choose mainland for brand visibility.
What approvals does a restaurant need in Dubai?
Four mandatory approvals: (1) DET trade licence, (2) Dubai Municipality food permit + kitchen inspection (mainland only), (3) Food Watch registration (DHA traceability), (4) Alcohol licence (if serving alcohol; separate DM approval, longer timeline). Free-zone restaurants skip the DM food permit because their zone authority pre-approves food handling. All restaurants need investor visa (foreigner) or GCC passport.
How long does it take to set up a restaurant in Dubai?
3–7 working days for the core licence (trade licence + visa approval). Add 1–2 weeks for DM kitchen inspection before you can open. Total realistic timeline: 2–3 weeks from application to ready-to-operate. Free-zone can be faster (5–8 days) because there’s no food-permit delay. DBS handles the fast path; incomplete documents are the most common reason for holdups.
How many investor visas can I get for a restaurant?
One investor visa per trade licence, free. Additional staff visas require a sponsored employment contract with MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation) approval; cost around AED 300–500 per visa. Non-UAE citizens need an investor visa to own/operate; GCC nationals (Saudi, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar) use their home passport and don’t need a visa. Most first-year restaurants use one visa and hire freelancers.
Can a foreigner own a restaurant in Dubai?
Yes, 100% foreign ownership is allowed for F&B trade licences on the mainland and in free zones. You’ll need an investor visa (AED 3,500–7,500 all-in including medical + Emirates ID) valid for one year, renewable. No local partner required. Your investor visa is tied to your business licence; if you exit, the visa ends. GCC nationals don’t need a visa.
What documents do I need to open a restaurant in Dubai?
Personal: Passport (colour copy + Arabic translation), visa/entry stamp, home address proof. Business: Signed partnership deed (if co-owners), proof of funds (bank statement or company letter). For food licence: tenancy contract for your kitchen, floor plan, menu & supplier list. Medical: Chest X-ray + blood tests at a DHA clinic in Dubai (AED 500–1,000). DBS prepares all trade-licence paperwork; you sign via e-notary.
Get expert help in 20 minutes
Talk to DBS on WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 or email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com for a free, fully itemised cost breakdown in your own currency — and a straight answer on banking and tax.
