A real estate brokerage lets you broker the sale, purchase and lease of property in the local market. Because you operate in the UAE property market, it's a mainland activity — here's the licence, the RERA registration and broker cards, what it costs and how we set it up.
A brokerage licence is the route if you connect buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants for property — but it carries more regulation than a plain service business.
An illustrative mainland starting point for a real estate brokerage licence. Your total depends on:
The licence is only part of it — RERA training and broker cards are charged per agent. We map the full cost, including the DLD steps, and send a written quote before you commit.
The details that decide how a real estate brokerage runs.
What a real estate brokerage licence gives you, and what to weigh.
| Mainland | Free Zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Broker local property | Yes — the intended base | No — free zones can't broker the local market |
| RERA registration | Yes (in Dubai, via DLD) | Not available for local brokerage |
| Foreign ownership | 100%* | 100% |
| Setup from | AED 15,000 | Not applicable for brokerage |
| Best for | Brokering UAE property | Property-related services only |
In short: real estate brokerage is a mainland activity — to broker property in the local market you register with the emirate's regulator (in Dubai, RERA under the DLD) and each agent holds a broker card. A free zone can't broker the local market; it only suits property-related services such as consultancy & marketing. If your business is brokering UAE property, go mainland — we'll map the RERA route.
What brokers ask before opening a real estate agency in the UAE. Anything else — AgentBiz answers instantly.
Ask AgentBizIt's a mainland activity. Because you operate in the local property market — brokering sales and leases — you need a mainland trade licence and registration with the emirate's property regulator. Free zones can't broker the local market.
A mainland brokerage licence typically starts from around AED 15,000–20,000, plus RERA training and broker card fees charged per agent. Your total depends on the emirate, the number of brokers and your office — we send a full written quote first.
RERA is Dubai's Real Estate Regulatory Agency, part of the Dubai Land Department. To broker property in Dubai, your company registers with it and receives a DLD trade name and Office Registration Number (ORN). Other emirates have their own regulators.
It's the credential each broker needs to operate legally. To get it, an agent completes a certified RERA training course and passes an exam. The company and every broker on the licence need to be carded, which is why we plan the timeline around it.
Usually three to five weeks, longer than a plain service licence because of the RERA training, exam and broker card steps. We run the licence, DLD registration and card guidance in parallel to keep it as quick as possible.
Brokerage is more regulated than a general service business — you follow RERA rules, use escrow accounts where required and obtain advertising permits for listings. We set up the structure so you stay compliant from day one.
A professional licence for advisory and service businesses, without the broker requirement.
A marketing licence for agencies promoting brands and property listings.
One licence to import, export and trade a wide range of goods.
Ask AgentBiz how the RERA steps and broker cards work for your agency, or talk to a human advisor. Real requirements, honest guidance, no obligation.