A facilities management licence in Dubai costs AED 18,000–35,000 in 2026 and covers soft and hard FM services under DET activity codes 7210–7290. The Department of Economy and Tourism approves your application in 3–5 weeks once your qualified FM manager is registered with MOHRE. Integrated FM firms handling MEP, maintenance and cleaning need separate Civil Defence approvals for high-risk activities.

What Is a Facilities Management Licence in Dubai?

A facilities management license Dubai permits your company to deliver integrated FM services—including soft services (cleaning, security, waste management) and hard services (mechanical, electrical, plumbing maintenance, HVAC, building systems)—across the emirate. The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) classifies FM under activity codes 7210 (general facilities support services), 7220 (cleaning), 7250 (landscaping), and 7290 (other professional, scientific and technical activities not elsewhere classified). Your Dubai business setup must align with these codes to operate legally.

Unsure which FM codes match your scope? WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 to confirm your activity classification with a DBS specialist.

Facilities Management Licence Cost Breakdown (AED 18,000–35,000)

First-year all-in costs for a Dubai FM company licence include:

Year 2 onwards: licence renewal (AED 1,500–2,500) + office lease + manager visa renewal only.

Get a fixed-fee quote today: email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com with your FM scope of work.

DET Facilities Management Activity Codes & Scope

The Department of Economy and Tourism recognises the following FM-related activity classifications:

• 7210: General facilities support services (maintenance, repairs, space management).
• 7220: Cleaning and disinfection (office, commercial, industrial premises).
• 7250: Landscaping and grounds maintenance.
• 7290: Other professional, scientific and technical activities (advisory, project management, energy audits, building compliance).

Integrated FM companies typically register under multiple codes. Your firm can operate all four codes on a single licence if your management structure and insurance cover both soft and hard services. Hard FM (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) must be supervised by a qualified MEP/FM manager listed with MOHRE and must obtain Civil Defence approval if work involves fire safety, electrical systems, or structural interventions.

Qualified FM Manager & MOHRE Registration (Mandatory)

Dubai requires every FM company to employ a qualified facilities management manager or MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) engineer registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). This individual must hold:

• Bachelor's degree in facilities management, engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 2 years FM or MEP sector experience (verified by former employer attestation).
• Valid UAE work visa and MOHRE approval clearance.
• Professional indemnity insurance (AED 500k–AED 2m depending on contract scope).

The manager's name appears on your DET trade licence and acts as the single point of accountability for all FM delivery. MOHRE clearance typically takes 5–10 working days once your visa sponsorship application is submitted. Your Dubai business setup consultants can guide the attestation and visa process to avoid delays.

Civil Defence & DM Approvals for Hard FM Activities

If your FM licence includes hard services (MEP maintenance, fire safety systems, electrical repairs, HVAC servicing), you must obtain Civil Defence approval from the Dubai Municipality (DM) before commencing work. Hard-FM firms need to submit:

• Proof of qualified MEP engineer/manager (MOHRE certificate).
• Scope of work detailing which building systems your firm will service.
• Safety and compliance plan (fire ratings, electrical codes, equipment maintenance schedules).
• Insurance certificate (professional indemnity minimum AED 1m).

Civil Defence approval timeline: 7–14 days once documents are complete. Soft-FM only (cleaning, waste, landscaping) does not require Civil Defence clearance. Confirm your activity scope with DBS before submitting to avoid rejection and re-submission delays.

DET Approval Timeline: 3–5 Weeks

Once all documents—shareholder IDs, passport copies, MOHRE clearance, office lease, civil defence (if hard-FM)—are submitted to DET via the Dubai Municipality one-stop shop or online portal, approval typically takes:

• Week 1: Initial completeness review and request for clarifications (if any).
• Weeks 2–3: DET verifies manager credentials, activity codes, and insurance cover.
• Weeks 4–5: Issuance of trade licence and registration in DET database.

Fast-track processing (3 weeks) is available if all documents are error-free and your office location complies with zoning rules. Delays occur if MOHRE clearance is missing, insurance certificate is incomplete, or your office address is flagged as non-commercial.

Need to expedite your DET submission? DBS has direct relationships with approvers—email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com to request priority handling.

Integrated FM vs. General Maintenance: Key Differences

Integrated FM encompasses all aspects of building operations (soft + hard services under one management system), while general maintenance is narrowly focused on reactive repairs. Under integrated FM licensing, your Dubai firm can offer:

• Soft FM: Cleaning, security, catering, waste management, landscaping, reception services.
• Hard FM: Planned preventive maintenance (PPM), MEP servicing, building systems diagnostics, emergency repairs, energy management.
• Project-based FM: Building refurbishment planning, facility audits, compliance support, relocation coordination.

General maintenance licences (activity code 4311 or 4312) cover only corrective repairs and cannot offer strategic FM advisory or planned maintenance contracts. Integrated FM licensing is more costly (AED 18,000–35,000 vs. AED 8,000–12,000) but attracts premium corporate contracts and higher margins. Most large employers in Dubai prefer integrated FM partners.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a facilities management licence cost in Dubai in 2026?

First-year all-in cost is AED 18,000–35,000, including DET trade licence (AED 2,500–5,000), MOHRE manager registration (AED 3,000–6,000), office space (AED 8,000–15,000), Civil Defence approval if hard-FM (AED 2,000–4,000), and consultancy (AED 2,500–5,000). Year 2 onwards costs drop to AED 6,000–10,000 (licence renewal + lease + visa).

What activities can a Dubai FM company perform under one licence?

A single integrated FM licence covers soft services (cleaning, landscaping, waste, security), hard services (MEP maintenance, HVAC, electrical, plumbing), and advisory (audits, compliance, energy management) under DET activity codes 7210–7290. Hard FM work requires Civil Defence approval; soft-only FM does not. Multiple codes can be registered on one trade licence.

Do facilities management firms need DM or Civil Defence approvals?

Yes, if your FM scope includes hard services (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire systems). You must obtain Dubai Municipality Civil Defence clearance within 7–14 days, providing proof of a qualified MEP manager, scope of work, safety plan, and AED 1m+ professional indemnity insurance. Soft-FM (cleaning, landscaping) does not require Civil Defence approval.

Is integrated FM different from general maintenance licensing?

Yes. Integrated FM (activity codes 7210–7290) covers both soft and hard services, strategic planning, and advisory; general maintenance (codes 4311–4312) covers only corrective repairs. Integrated FM licensing costs AED 18,000–35,000 first year and attracts corporate contracts; general maintenance is AED 8,000–12,000 but limits revenue potential and scope.

How long does it take to set up an FM company in Dubai?

DET approval takes 3–5 weeks once all documents (MOHRE clearance, office lease, insurance, Civil Defence if hard-FM) are submitted. MOHRE manager registration takes 5–10 working days. Civil Defence approval (if required) takes 7–14 days. End-to-end timeline: 4–6 weeks from application to operational licence. Fast-track: 3 weeks if all documents are complete and pre-verified.

What qualifications must my FM manager have for DET approval?

Your FM manager must hold a bachelor's degree in facilities management, engineering, or related field, plus minimum 2 years sector experience (verified by former employer attestation). They must be registered with MOHRE, hold a valid UAE work visa, and carry professional indemnity insurance (AED 500k–AED 2m). Their name appears on your DET trade licence as the responsible officer.

Can I start with soft FM only and add hard FM later?

Yes. You can register activity codes 7220 (cleaning), 7250 (landscaping), and 7290 (advisory) initially, avoiding Civil Defence delays. Once your hard-FM manager is MOHRE-approved and insurance is upgraded, DET allows code amendments (adding 7210–7220 for MEP services) within 2–3 weeks. This staged approach reduces initial cost to AED 12,000–18,000.

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