Dubai Catering Licence 2026: Cost & Central Kitchen Rules
A Dubai catering licence in 2026 costs AED 25,000–50,000 all-in and requires Dubai Municipality central kitchen approval plus HACCP food safety certification. The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) issues the catering activity code, while MOHRE handles staff permits and accommodation verification for your team.
Dubai Catering Licence Overview 2026
A Dubai catering licence is mandatory if you operate catering services—whether corporate events, private functions, or institutional meal supply—anywhere in the Emirate. Dubai business setup in the catering sector requires compliance with Dubai Municipality, DET, and MOHRE. The licence confirms your business is registered, your central kitchen meets health standards, and your staff are legally employed.
Central Kitchen Approval: Dubai Municipality Requirements
Dubai Municipality mandates that all catering operators maintain an approved central kitchen or commissary within Dubai. Your kitchen must pass a pre-opening inspection covering layout, equipment, storage, hygiene facilities, and water/waste systems. The municipality issues a separate central kitchen approval letter (valid 1 year, renewable) before your DET catering licence is issued. Non-compliance blocks your licence entirely.
Submit kitchen plans and site photos to Dubai Municipality's Food Safety section 4–6 weeks before your target launch date.
Catering Activity Codes & DET Registration
The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) assigns catering businesses one of these activity codes:
| Activity | Code | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Catering Services | 5629 | Event catering, meal supply |
| Food Delivery Services | 5630 | Restaurant or cloud kitchen delivery |
| Food Trade & Distribution | 5621 | Wholesale meal prep for resellers |
Your DET trade licence will display the selected code(s) and authorises food handling within the emirate.
Food Safety & HACCP Certification
All catering licences require evidence of a food safety management system (FSMS) compliant with HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) principles. Dubai Municipality's Food Safety Department enforces this; you must submit HACCP documentation—hazard analysis, critical control points, monitoring procedures, and corrective actions—before or immediately after licence issue. Non-compliance can result in licence suspension. Many operators engage external food safety consultants (cost range AED 3,000–8,000) to design and certify their FSMS.
HACCP certification must be renewed annually alongside your catering licence renewal.
Staff Permits, Accommodation & Vehicle Licences
MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation) mandates that all catering staff have valid employment contracts, residence visas, and medical fitness certificates. If you employ 3+ staff, you must secure approved staff accommodation that meets MOHRE housing standards (minimum floor area, ventilation, sanitation). Vehicle permits for delivery vans also require separate RTA registration (AED 500–1,500 per vehicle annually). All documentation must be verified before DET issues your final catering licence.
Budget 3–4 weeks for MOHRE approvals; lodge applications concurrently with Dubai Municipality kitchen inspection.
Total Cost: AED 25,000–50,000 All-In Breakdown 2026
A transparent, fully-compliant Dubai catering licence costs:
- Trade licence (DET): AED 1,500–3,000
- Municipality central kitchen approval: AED 2,500–5,000
- Food safety consultancy & HACCP: AED 3,000–8,000
- Staff permits (MOHRE, 3–5 staff): AED 8,000–15,000
- Vehicle permits (1–2 vans): AED 1,000–3,000
- Legal documentation, insurance, miscellaneous: AED 6,000–12,000
- Professional setup consultancy (optional): AED 3,000–5,000
The full range reflects size (sole operator vs. 10+ staff), location (mainland vs. free zone), and external consultant choice. Dubai business setup consultants can streamline approvals and reduce hidden costs.
Free Zone Catering vs. Mainland Dubai
Catering businesses in free zones (e.g. Jebel Ali Free Zone, Hamriyah Free Zone) face lower trade licence fees (AED 800–2,000) but cannot legally serve mainland customers without additional approval from the FTA (Federal Tax Authority). Most catering is mainland-based. Free zones suit export-oriented meal manufacturing only.
2026 Compliance Checklist
- ✓ Secure a physical central kitchen location within Dubai
- ✓ Submit kitchen plans to Dubai Municipality for pre-approval
- ✓ Pass municipal kitchen inspection & obtain approval letter
- ✓ Enrol all staff with MOHRE; secure residence visas & medical checks
- ✓ Verify approved staff accommodation meets MOHRE standards
- ✓ Engage food safety consultant & develop HACCP documentation
- ✓ Register vehicles (if delivery-based) with RTA
- ✓ Apply for DET trade licence with activity code 5629 (or 5630 if delivery-hybrid)
- ✓ Submit HACCP & insurance documents to Dubai Municipality
- ✓ Obtain final catering licence from DET
Frequently asked questions
How much does a catering licence cost in Dubai in 2026?
A complete catering licence costs AED 25,000–50,000 all-in, covering DET trade licence (AED 1,500–3,000), Dubai Municipality central kitchen approval (AED 2,500–5,000), HACCP food safety consultancy (AED 3,000–8,000), MOHRE staff permits (AED 8,000–15,000), vehicle permits (AED 1,000–3,000), and professional setup support. The wide range depends on team size and location complexity.
Do I need a central kitchen for a catering licence in Dubai?
Yes, Dubai Municipality mandates an approved central kitchen or commissary within Dubai as a non-negotiable requirement. Your kitchen must pass a municipal inspection covering layout, equipment, hygiene, and waste management before the DET issues your licence. Remote operation without a physical kitchen is not permitted.
What food safety approvals are required for catering services?
All catering licences require HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) food safety management system documentation. You must submit hazard analysis, critical control points, monitoring procedures, and corrective action plans to Dubai Municipality. HACCP certification must be renewed annually. Many operators hire external food safety consultants (AED 3,000–8,000) to develop compliant systems.
Can a catering company also do food delivery in Dubai?
Yes. You can operate both catering services (activity code 5629) and food delivery (code 5630) under a single licence. However, your central kitchen must be separately approved for delivery operations, and your vehicle fleet must be RTA-registered. Hybrid catering-and-delivery models require explicit DET approval during licence application.
How long does it take to get a catering licence in Dubai?
The full process typically takes 6–10 weeks: 4–6 weeks for Dubai Municipality kitchen inspection, 3–4 weeks for MOHRE staff approvals (parallel), 2–3 weeks for DET final licence issue. Parallel submission of documents accelerates the timeline. Professional consultancy can reduce delays to 5–7 weeks.
What staff documentation does MOHRE require for catering?
MOHRE mandates employment contracts, residence visas, and medical fitness certificates for all staff. If you employ 3+ workers, approved staff accommodation (meeting MOHRE housing standards) is compulsory. Wage protection system registration and labour file documentation are also required. Budget AED 8,000–15,000 for 3–5 staff permits.
Can I operate a catering business from a free zone?
Free zone catering (e.g. Jebel Ali Free Zone) has lower trade licence fees (AED 800–2,000) but cannot serve mainland Dubai customers without FTA Federal Tax Authority additional approval, which complicates operations. Most catering is mainland-registered. Free zones suit only export-oriented meal manufacturing.
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