Dubai General Maintenance Licence 2026: Cost & Setup Guide
A general maintenance licence in Dubai costs AED 15,000–35,000 all-in and is issued by the Department of Economic and Tourism (DET). The licence covers structural repairs, painting, plumbing, AC maintenance, and electrical work under specific DET activity codes. You must secure Dubai Municipality technical approvals and bundle your trade with a skilled-worker visa sponsorship.
What Is a General Maintenance Licence in Dubai?
A general maintenance licence is a business permit that authorises you to offer building repair, upkeep, and installation services. It falls under Dubai business setup activity classifications managed by the DET. The licence bundles trade-level activities (carpentry, plumbing, electrical repairs) with technical responsibilities, enabling you to operate as a contractor or service provider legally across Dubai and the wider UAE.
Cost Breakdown: AED 15,000–35,000 All-In
The all-in cost for a general maintenance licence in 2026 spans:
| Cost Component | AED Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DET Trade Licence (initial) | 2,000–4,500 | Annual or multi-year; depends on activity classification |
| Dubai Municipality Technical Approval | 1,500–3,500 | Required for maintenance operations; may include inspection fees |
| MOHRE Labour Card & Visa Setup | 3,000–8,000 | Per skilled worker; mandatory for technician employment |
| Office/Warehouse Space & Registration | 5,000–12,000 | Virtual or physical address; depends on free-zone vs. mainland |
| Professional Indemnity & Compliance | 2,000–7,000 | Insurance, audit, and ADIB/FAB account setup |
Exact costs depend on free-zone location (RAK, Ajman, JAFZA) or mainland Dubai, plus worker headcount.
DET Activity Codes for General Maintenance
The Department of Economic and Tourism (DET) classifies general maintenance under multiple activity codes:
- Code 42200: Building and civil engineering work (general)
- Code 43290: Specialised construction activities (repairs and maintenance)
- Code 43210: Electrical installation and repair
- Code 43220: Plumbing and HVAC installation and maintenance
You must register under at least one primary code and may add supplementary codes for AC, painting, or joinery work. Each code may attract a separate trade-licence fee within the AED 15k–35k range. Dubai business setup consultants can help you select the optimal codes for your service mix.
Unsure which codes fit your service? WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 for a free code audit.
Dubai Municipality Technical Approvals
Before you issue invoices, Dubai Municipality must approve your maintenance operations. This approval verifies your:
- Technical qualifications and insurance cover
- Compliance with Dubai building codes (DEWA, Dubai Municipality specifications)
- Safety and equipment standards for HVAC, electrical, and plumbing work
- Ability to handle waste disposal and environmental compliance
The Municipality reviews your team's experience, permits, and certifications—a process that typically takes 2–4 weeks. Costs range AED 1,500–3,500 and include site inspection fees. Non-compliance can delay your licence issuance by 3–8 weeks.
Trade Licence vs. Technical Activity Bundling
A key nuance: general maintenance requires both a trade licence and technical activity registration. The trade licence (issued by DET) covers your business entity; the technical activity bundling (via Dubai Municipality and MOHRE) ensures your skilled workers are legally approved to perform specific trades. You cannot hire a plumber or electrician without registering them as sponsored technicians under MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation). Each technician requires a separate labour card (AED 800–1,200) and visa sponsorship cost (AED 2,500–4,000 per worker annually).
Bundle incorrectly and risk fines up to AED 10,000 or licence suspension. Chat with DBS to lock in your structure.
Labour and Skilled-Worker Visa Requirements
Your general maintenance company must employ UAE-sponsored technicians. MOHRE mandates that any employee performing electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or structural work holds:
- A valid Labour Card issued by MOHRE (AED 800–1,200)
- A sponsored visa linked to your company (not a tourist or visit visa)
- Proof of technical qualification or apprenticeship (electrical diploma, plumbing certification, or equivalent)
- Annual renewal of health insurance (AED 400–800 per worker)
Sponsorship costs are borne by the employer and range AED 2,500–4,000 per technician per year. You may sponsor between 1 and 50 workers depending on your free-zone or mainland location. Failure to renew labour cards results in work-stoppage penalties.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Timeline
A typical setup takes 4–6 weeks:
- Week 1: Form incorporation, DBS document submission, MOHRE pre-registration
- Week 2: DET trade-licence issuance (AED 2k–4.5k paid)
- Week 3: Dubai Municipality technical-approval application, technician labour-card filing
- Week 4–5: Municipality inspection, approval, and final stamping
- Week 6: Visa stamping, office setup, and operational go-live
Costs are spread across these milestones. Free-zone setups (RAK, Ajman, JAFZA) may cost 15–20% less in annual licence fees but add AED 2,000–3,000 in logistics. Mainland locations (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) incur higher rent but attract local contracts faster.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a general maintenance licence cost in Dubai in 2026?
A general maintenance licence costs AED 15,000–35,000 all-in, covering DET trade registration (AED 2k–4.5k), Municipality technical approval (AED 1.5k–3.5k), labour-card and visa setup (AED 3k–8k per technician), and compliance insurance (AED 2k–7k). The exact total depends on worker headcount, free-zone location, and activity codes selected. Get a bespoke quote via WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846.
What activities are covered under a general maintenance licence?
General maintenance covers building repairs, structural fixes, plumbing, HVAC (AC) installation and servicing, electrical repairs, painting, joinery, and preventive upkeep. DET codes 42200, 43210, 43220, and 43290 classify these activities. You can bundle multiple codes into one licence, but each may incur a separate fee. Some complex tasks (e.g., lift maintenance, fire-safety upgrades) require specialist sub-licences.
Do I need Dubai Municipality approval for a maintenance company?
Yes, mandatory. Dubai Municipality issues technical approval before you can operate. It verifies your team's qualifications, insurance, and compliance with building codes and environmental standards. The approval process takes 2–4 weeks and costs AED 1,500–3,500. Without it, your DET licence remains inactive and unenforceable.
Can a general maintenance licence cover AC and plumbing work?
Yes. AC (HVAC) and plumbing fall under DET code 43220 (Plumbing and HVAC installation and maintenance). However, each technician performing these trades must hold a MOHRE labour card, a valid sponsorship visa, and a recognised qualification (e.g., plumbing diploma or HVAC certificate). Employing unlicensed staff voids your licence and incurs fines up to AED 10,000.
What is the difference between trade and technical activity bundling?
A trade licence (from DET) authorises your company to operate; technical activity bundling (via Municipality and MOHRE) approves your employees to perform specific trades. You need both. For example, your trade licence permits plumbing operations, but only MOHRE-sponsored technicians with labour cards can execute plumbing jobs. Bundling errors delay launches by weeks.
How many skilled workers can I sponsor under a general maintenance licence?
The number depends on your licence category and free-zone status. Typically, mainland Dubai and free-zones allow 1–50 sponsored technicians per company. Each costs AED 2,500–4,000 annually for visa sponsorship, plus AED 800–1,200 for a labour card. Health insurance and training add AED 400–800 per worker yearly. Consult MOHRE guidelines or ask DBS.
Can I set up a general maintenance licence in a UAE free-zone?
Yes. Free-zones like RAK, Ajman, and JAFZA offer lower annual licence fees (15–20% savings) but require a mainland agent or physical presence for client contracting. Setup costs are similar (AED 15k–35k), but logistics and travel add AED 2k–3k. Free-zone licences are ideal for nationwide or export-focused contractors; mainland licences suit local Dubai-focused services.
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.