EMRA Music Licensing UAE 2026 — What EMRA Is, Who Needs a Licence, Fees, Application Process, Spotify, Restaurants, Cafés, Gyms, Hotels, Shops & What Businesses Need to Know
Last updated: 25 August 2026
If your business plays music for customers in the UAE, you have probably heard the name EMRA.
But what exactly is EMRA?
Do restaurants need an EMRA music licence?
What about cafés, gyms, hotels, shops and salons?
How much does an EMRA licence cost?
Can you continue using Spotify or YouTube?
And what happens when the UAE's new music licensing framework begins in December 2026?
This guide explains EMRA music licensing in the UAE in simple, non-technical language.
Quick Answer: What Is EMRA?
EMRA stands for the Emirates Arts & Music Rights Association.
EMRA is a UAE collective-management organisation involved in the management and licensing of music rights.
EMRA describes itself as the UAE's first licensed collective-management organisation for music and says it works to protect music creators' rights and support the UAE's creative industries. (EMRA)
For businesses, the important point is:
EMRA is one of the organisations businesses may need to deal with when commercially using music in the UAE.
EMRA's current website has a dedicated Music Users pathway for:
Hotels
Restaurants
Cafés
Gyms
Stores
Broadcasters
Venues
Other commercial users. (EMRA)
What Is an EMRA Music Licence?
In simple terms, an EMRA music licence is a licensing arrangement relating to the use of music rights represented or administered by EMRA.
Music can involve several different rights.
For example:
Musical works
Rights associated with composers, songwriters and publishers.
Sound recordings
Rights associated with recordings and their owners.
Performers
Rights associated with performers and musicians.
A commercial business playing music may therefore be dealing with more than simply "the song."
EMRA states that it administers music rights involving authors, composers, performers, producers and publishers, including public-performance and broadcasting rights. (EMRA)
Why Does EMRA Matter to UAE Businesses?
A business may think:
"We only play music in the background."
But music can be an important part of a commercial environment.
Think about:
A café playing music during breakfast
A restaurant playing music during dinner
A gym playing music during workouts
A hotel playing lobby music
A fashion store playing music while customers shop
A spa playing relaxing music
A supermarket playing background music
The music may not be the product being sold.
But customers are hearing it as part of the business experience.
The UAE has now formalised a collective-management framework specifically addressing commercial music use.
The UAE Collective Management in Music Guide
On 11 August 2026, the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism announced the Collective Management in Music Guide under Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026.
The Ministry says the Guide establishes a framework for collectively managing music rights and sets fees for relevant commercial music users.
The covered categories include:
Restaurants
Cafés
Shopping malls
Fitness centres
Hotels
Floating hotels
Airlines
Radio stations
Television channels
Concerts and similar events. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
The Ministry says collection begins in:
December 2026
and identifies EMRA and Music Nation as the organisations responsible for collecting the relevant fees and managing the associated rights. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
Is EMRA a Government Department?
No.
EMRA is a collective-management organisation, not a government ministry.
The UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism is the government authority that has established the relevant regulatory framework and authorised collective-management organisations.
EMRA operates within that regulatory framework.
EMRA itself states that it is recognised by the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism and the Ministry of Community Empowerment. (EMRA)
This distinction is important:
UAE Government / Ministry
↓
Regulatory framework
↓
Authorised collective-management organisations
↓
Music-rights licensing and administration
Is EMRA the Same as the Ministry of Economy & Tourism?
No.
Think of them as different roles.
Ministry of Economy & Tourism
Establishes the regulatory framework and grants the relevant collective-management licences.
EMRA
Manages relevant music rights and provides licensing services to music users.
Music Nation
Another Ministry-authorised collective-management organisation involved in music-rights management.
The Ministry granted Music Nation its second collective music-management licence in June 2025. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
Is EMRA the Only Music Licensing Organisation in UAE?
No.
The Ministry's current framework identifies:
EMRA
and
Music Nation
as the organisations responsible for collecting relevant fees and managing the associated rights under the new framework. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
Music Nation received the second collective music-management licence from the Ministry in 2025. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
Therefore, businesses should not assume:
"Every music licence in the UAE comes only from EMRA."
The relevant organisation and repertoire should be confirmed for the particular music use.
Who Needs an EMRA Music Licence?
This is where businesses need to be careful.
There is no sensible one-line answer saying:
"Every business in the UAE needs an EMRA licence."
The relevant question is:
Does the business commercially use music covered by the relevant rights and licensing framework?
EMRA's current licensing system provides business categories including:
F&B
Gym/Fitness Center
Hotel
Store
Supermarket
Department Store
Spa
Cinema
Convention Centre
Event Centre
Hospital
Museum
Park
Pharmacy
Theatre
TV
Broadcaster
Other. (EMRA)
This gives businesses a useful indication of the breadth of commercial music users EMRA is prepared to handle.
Do Restaurants Need an EMRA Licence?
Restaurants using music commercially should review their applicable music-rights licensing requirements.
The Ministry's 2026 Guide explicitly includes restaurants and cafés among the sectors subject to music-use fees. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
A restaurant should consider:
Background music
Streaming services
DJs
Live music
Events
Number of music areas
Daily hours
Existing music agreements
EMRA's current application specifically asks businesses about these categories. (EMRA)
Do Cafés Need an EMRA Licence?
Cafés are specifically included in the new UAE music framework.
For recorded background music, the reported tariff begins at:
AED 1,500/year
for cafés/restaurants with up to 50 seats.
Businesses should confirm their exact applicable tariff and licensing arrangement with the relevant authorised organisation.
Do Gyms Need an EMRA Licence?
Fitness centres are specifically included in the new framework.
EMRA's current application actually provides:
Gym/Fitness Center
as a selectable business type. (EMRA)
The reported fitness-centre tariff begins at:
AED 1,700/year
for premises up to 300 m², with the reported tariff increasing with floor area and reaching a reported AED 6,000 maximum.
Do Hotels Need an EMRA Licence?
Hotels are specifically included in the Ministry's new framework.
EMRA's current application includes:
Hotel
as a business type. (EMRA)
The reported hotel tariff structure is based on:
Hotel classification + number of rooms
with reported annual rates ranging from AED 50 per room for 1–2 star hotels to AED 150 per room for 4–5 star hotels, subject to the applicable structure and caps.
Do Shops Need an EMRA Licence?
Retail businesses should review their applicable music-rights licensing position.
EMRA's current application includes:
Store
Supermarket
Department Stores. (EMRA)
The reported retail tariff is based primarily on premises size, beginning at:
AED 1,700/year
for premises up to 100 m².
Do Salons & Spas Need an EMRA Licence?
EMRA's current application specifically lists:
Beauty Salon
Spa
as business categories. (EMRA)
If a salon or spa plays music for customers, it should review the applicable licensing requirements rather than assuming that music is automatically exempt because it is simply background ambience.
What Does EMRA Ask Businesses?
This is one of the most useful things business owners can understand.
EMRA's current pre-application form asks businesses to provide information about:
Business
Legal company name
Trade licence number
VAT registration number
Main address
Holding group
Total locations
Business type
Emirates
Music usage
Live music
Number of live-music areas
Average daily hours
Frequency of live events
Background music
Number of background-music areas
Average daily hours
Streaming services
Number of streaming areas
Average daily hours
DJs/events
DJ areas
DJ frequency
Show timings
Existing arrangements
Existing agreements with music-rights organisations. (EMRA)
This tells us something important:
EMRA looks at how your business actually uses music.
What Is a "Music Area"?
A music area is essentially a location within the business where music is being used.
For example, a hotel could have:
Lobby
Restaurant
Lounge
Spa
Gym
A retail store might have:
Main sales floor
Customer lounge
A gym might have:
Main workout floor
Group studio
Cycling studio
EMRA's form asks businesses to identify the number of music areas and average daily hours. (EMRA)
Does EMRA Care How Many Hours Music Is Played?
The current pre-application specifically asks for:
Average Daily Hours
for background music, streaming, live music and DJ use. (EMRA)
Therefore, businesses should not simply say:
"We have music."
They should know approximately:
Where? How many areas? How many hours? What type?
Does EMRA Ask About Spotify?
Yes.
EMRA's current form specifically asks whether the business plays music through streaming services such as:
Spotify
YouTube
SoundCloud
It also asks for the number of areas and average daily hours. (EMRA)
This is extremely important for UAE SMEs.
Does Spotify Premium Mean I Don't Need an EMRA Licence?
Do not assume that.
A consumer streaming subscription and commercial public music rights are different things.
Having access to a song through a streaming platform does not automatically answer:
"Does my business have the necessary rights to play this music publicly for customers?"
Businesses should examine:
Platform terms
Music rights
Commercial-use permissions
UAE licensing requirements
The UAE's new framework specifically recognises commercial music use as a rights-management issue. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
What About YouTube?
The same principle applies.
A song being available on YouTube does not automatically mean a restaurant, gym, shop or hotel has obtained all necessary commercial public-use rights.
EMRA explicitly asks businesses whether they use YouTube as a music source. (EMRA)
What About SoundCloud?
Again, don't assume that platform access equals a commercial music licence.
SoundCloud is also specifically mentioned in EMRA's current business-user application. (EMRA)
What If I Buy Music?
Buying a recording does not automatically mean buying unlimited commercial public-performance rights.
A business should check the actual licence terms.
The important question is not merely:
"Did we pay for the song?"
It is:
"Did we obtain the rights needed for this commercial use?"
What If the Music Is Royalty-Free?
"Royalty-free" is not the same thing as "no licence required."
A royalty-free catalogue may still require you to accept a licence.
Check whether the licence permits:
Commercial use
Public performance
Business use
UAE use
Multiple locations
Long-term use
What If the Music Is AI-Generated?
This is an increasingly important question for businesses.
Do not automatically assume:
AI-generated = copyright-free = EMRA-free
Those are separate questions.
A business should ask:
Who created the music?
Which AI platform was used?
Was commercial use permitted?
What were the platform terms?
Who controls the output?
Are third-party materials involved?
What rights are being licensed?
Is the catalogue documented?
At present, we have not identified an official UAE government statement creating a blanket exemption for AI-generated music.
Therefore:
AI-generated music should be evaluated based on its actual rights and licence terms.
What If I Get Music Directly From a Music Provider?
A direct commercial music licence can be different from a consumer streaming subscription.
But don't stop at the phrase:
"Commercially licensed."
Ask:
Who controls the music?
What rights are controlled?
Does the licence permit commercial public use?
Does it cover the UAE?
Does it cover your business type?
Does it cover all branches?
How long is it valid?
Does it include third-party music?
Does it include music represented by a collective-management organisation?
These questions become particularly important under the UAE's developing music-rights framework.
Does an Independent Music Licence Automatically Replace EMRA?
No blanket exemption should be assumed.
This is an important distinction for businesses considering services such as VENUORA.
A provider may give you a direct commercial licence for its own catalogue.
That establishes the rights granted by that provider.
But that does not automatically prove that:
"No other UAE music-rights obligation exists."
The treatment of independently controlled catalogues needs to be considered according to the actual rights, repertoire and applicable UAE framework.
Therefore, businesses should not rely on a blanket claim that an independent licence automatically eliminates every collective-management obligation.
What Happens From December 2026?
The Ministry says fees under the new Collective Management in Music Guide will be collected starting in:
December 2026
The Ministry identifies EMRA and Music Nation as the organisations responsible for collection and management of the relevant rights. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
The Ministry also says the relevant licences are for a one-year period, renewable according to the applicable rules and conditions. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
Why Is the UAE Introducing This Framework?
The Ministry says the Guide is intended to:
Regulate the local music market
Raise awareness of copyright protection
Protect authors and creators
Protect music production companies
Protect composers and songwriters
Protect singers and musicians
Protect sound-recording producers
Protect music publishers
Standardise fee structures and licensing mechanisms
Support creative industries. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
This is broader than simply introducing another business expense.
It is part of the UAE's development of a more formal creative economy and intellectual-property ecosystem.
Where Does the Money Go?
The Ministry says the framework includes a Cultural Support Fund for Music.
Importantly, the Ministry states that:
10% of the total amount collected
will be allocated to the Fund.
The Fund is intended to support music-related programmes, including creative development, emerging talent, training and artistic initiatives. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
So the broader objective is:
Business music use
↓
Rights collection
↓
Rights holders / creators
Music-sector development
Is EMRA a Copyright Owner?
Not necessarily.
A collective-management organisation generally manages rights on behalf of the rights holders it represents or administers.
Think of EMRA as a rights-management organisation rather than simply the "owner" of every song.
The underlying rights may belong to:
Authors
Composers
Publishers
Performers
Producers
Other rights holders
EMRA's role is to administer relevant rights within its mandate.
Does EMRA Represent Every Song in the World?
You should not assume that.
Collective-management organisations operate according to their:
Mandates
Repertoire
Representation agreements
Rights
Territorial arrangements
This is particularly important for international music.
EMRA has entered international representation arrangements. For example, SACEM announced in February 2026 that it had entered a representation agreement with EMRA, describing it as a major development for international and local rights management. (Music Business Worldwide)
Therefore, businesses should ask the licensing organisation about the relevant repertoire and rights for their particular use.
EMRA vs Music Nation — What's the Difference?
Both are authorised collective-management organisations.
EMRA
The UAE's first licensed collective-management organisation for music.
Music Nation
The second collective music-management organisation licensed by the UAE Ministry in 2025. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
For businesses, the important issue is not simply choosing a "brand."
The important questions are:
Which organisation administers the relevant rights?
What repertoire does it represent?
What licence applies?
What tariff applies?
What music is being used?
Are there existing agreements?
Can a Business Contact EMRA Directly?
Yes.
EMRA has a dedicated licensing application for music users.
Its current application allows businesses to select their business type and provide contact and registration details. (EMRA)
EMRA Music Licensing Application
Businesses can also begin with the EMRA pre-application process, which gathers information about their music usage before licensing. (EMRA)
EMRA Music User Pre-Application
What Information Should I Have Ready for EMRA?
Prepare:
Business details
Company name
Trade licence
VAT registration
Address
Emirates
Number of locations
Business type
Music details
Background music
Live music
Streaming
DJs/events
Music areas
Daily hours
Existing agreements
Current music licences
Music-provider contracts
Existing rights agreements
This will make the process much easier.
What If I Have Multiple Branches?
Tell the licensing organisation.
EMRA's current form specifically asks:
Total Locations
and:
Emirate(s)
It lists all seven UAE emirates. (EMRA)
This means a business with branches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah should not simply assume that its licensing arrangements can be handled as if it were a single-premises business.
What If My Business Doesn't Play Music?
If a business genuinely does not use music, its position is different.
For example:
No music system
No streaming
No radio
No DJs
No live music
No music events
The issue is the commercial use of music, not simply owning a business.
Where there is uncertainty, ask the relevant authorised organisation for clarification.
Should Businesses Wait Until December 2026?
No.
Even though collection begins in December 2026, there is no reason for a business to wait until the last minute to understand its music use.
Start with:
1. Audit your music
What are you playing?
2. Audit your sources
Where does it come from?
3. Audit your rights
What licence do you have?
4. Audit your usage
Where and how long is it played?
5. Contact the relevant organisation
Confirm your position.
We Recommend Respecting the UAE's Music-Rights Framework
For UAE businesses, music licensing should not be viewed simply as another administrative burden.
The UAE is building a more structured creative economy.
Businesses that proactively understand the rules demonstrate:
Professionalism
Respect for intellectual property
Respect for creators
Responsible business practices
Compliance awareness
A sensible business attitude is:
Understand the rules. Respect the rights. Comply properly.
Can VENUORA Work Alongside EMRA?
Potentially, depending on the customer's music use and the applicable rights.
VENUORA is being developed as a commercial background-music service for UAE businesses.
The VENUORA model is based on:
Controlled catalogue
Documented provenance
Commercial licence
Business use
For eligible VENUORA catalogue music, customers receive the rights expressly granted under the VENUORA commercial licence.
Does VENUORA Replace EMRA?
We do not make that blanket claim.
This is important.
VENUORA provides a commercial licence for:
Eligible VENUORA catalogue music
under:
VENUORA's licence terms
That does not automatically mean:
"You don't need EMRA."
or:
"You don't need Music Nation."
The customer's overall obligations depend on the music actually used and the rights associated with that music.
If a business uses other music in addition to VENUORA music, those other uses need to be assessed separately.
Why VENUORA Is Different From Spotify
The intended VENUORA model is not simply:
"Another music streaming service."
Instead:
Spotify
Consumer-focused music access.
VENUORA
Business-focused commercial background music with a defined catalogue and commercial licence.
The important distinction is:
Access to music vs. documented commercial music rights.
VENUORA's objective is to make that distinction easier for UAE businesses to understand.
Why Businesses Should Start Organising Their Music Today
Imagine a café owner who currently has:
Spotify on the manager's phone
YouTube playlists
Music downloaded by an employee
No central record
No commercial music documentation
December 2026 arrives.
Now the owner has to figure everything out.
A better approach is:
August–November
→ Audit music
→ Review rights
→ Identify sources
→ Contact relevant organisations
→ Establish proper documentation
→ Standardise music
Then:
December 2026
→ Business is prepared.
EMRA Music Licence UAE — Step-by-Step
Step 1 — Identify Your Business
Restaurant?
Café?
Gym?
Hotel?
Store?
Salon?
Supermarket?
Event venue?
Step 2 — Identify Your Music
Background?
Streaming?
DJ?
Live music?
Events?
Step 3 — Identify Your Sources
Spotify?
YouTube?
SoundCloud?
Radio?
Music provider?
Downloaded music?
AI-generated music?
Step 4 — Identify Your Locations
One branch?
Multiple branches?
Multiple emirates?
Step 5 — Identify Your Existing Agreements
Do you already have:
Music licences?
Provider contracts?
Rights agreements?
Step 6 — Contact the Relevant Organisation
Begin the licensing process where applicable.
Step 7 — Keep Your Documentation
Store:
Licence
Agreement
Invoice
Catalogue information
Usage records
Renewal date
EMRA Music Licence UAE — Common Mistakes
"I have Spotify Premium."
Not automatically a commercial music licence.
"It's only background music."
Background music is still a commercial music-use category.
"It's royalty-free."
Check the actual licence.
"It's AI-generated."
AI-generated does not automatically mean licence-free.
"The mall pays."
Don't assume the mall's arrangement covers music inside your store.
"The hotel pays."
Don't assume every facility inside the hotel is automatically covered.
"We only play music for two hours."
Duration is one factor; it does not automatically establish an exemption.
"We bought the song."
Buying a copy does not automatically grant unlimited commercial public-use rights.
"VENUORA says the music is licensed."
Ask exactly what rights VENUORA licenses and what the licence covers.
That is the professional approach.
EMRA Music Licence UAE — Frequently Asked Questions
What does EMRA stand for?
EMRA stands for Emirates Arts & Music Rights Association.
What is EMRA?
EMRA is a UAE collective-management organisation involved in administering music rights and providing music licensing services.
Is EMRA a government department?
No. EMRA is an authorised collective-management organisation operating within the UAE's regulatory framework.
Is EMRA government approved?
EMRA states that it is recognised by the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism and the Ministry of Community Empowerment. (EMRA)
Does EMRA issue music licences?
EMRA operates a music-user licensing application and provides licensing services for commercial users. (EMRA)
Who needs an EMRA music licence?
Businesses that commercially use music should determine whether the relevant music rights and repertoire require licensing. EMRA's current user categories include F&B, gyms, hotels, stores, supermarkets, department stores, spas and other commercial users. (EMRA)
Do restaurants need an EMRA licence?
Restaurants using music commercially should review the applicable requirements. Restaurants are explicitly covered by the new UAE collective-management framework.
Do cafés need an EMRA licence?
Cafés using music commercially should review the applicable requirements. Cafés are explicitly covered.
Do gyms need an EMRA licence?
Fitness centres are explicitly included in the new framework and are a selectable business type in EMRA's current application.
Do hotels need an EMRA licence?
Hotels using music commercially should review the applicable requirements. Hotels are explicitly covered.
Do shops need an EMRA licence?
Retail businesses using music commercially should review the applicable requirements. Stores, supermarkets and department stores appear in EMRA's current business categories.
How much does an EMRA music licence cost?
There is not one universal EMRA price for every business. The 2026 framework establishes different fee categories according to factors including the nature of music use and scale of economic activity. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
When do UAE music licensing fees start?
The Ministry says fees will be collected starting in December 2026. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
Are EMRA licences annual?
The Ministry states that the relevant collective-management licences are for one year, renewable according to the applicable rules and conditions. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
Does Spotify Premium replace EMRA licensing?
Do not assume so. Consumer streaming access and commercial music rights are separate issues.
Does YouTube replace EMRA licensing?
No automatic exemption should be assumed.
Does royalty-free music replace EMRA licensing?
Not automatically. Review the actual licence and the relevant UAE requirements.
Does AI-generated music replace EMRA licensing?
No blanket exemption has been identified.
Does VENUORA replace EMRA?
VENUORA does not make a blanket replacement claim. Its commercial licence applies to eligible VENUORA catalogue music under the VENUORA licence terms.
What if I use VENUORA and Spotify?
The two sources should be treated separately. The rights associated with the Spotify music should be assessed independently from the rights granted under the VENUORA licence.
What if I use only VENUORA music?
You should still understand exactly what rights VENUORA controls and grants, and confirm your business's overall UAE licensing position where necessary.
What if I have several branches?
Tell the licensing organisation. EMRA's current pre-application specifically asks for total locations and emirates.
EMRA Music Licence vs VENUORA Licence
| EMRA | VENUORA | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary role | Collective music-rights management | Commercial background-music service |
| Audience | Rights holders & music users | UAE businesses |
| Catalogue | Rights/repertoire represented or administered by EMRA | Eligible VENUORA catalogue |
| Commercial licensing | Yes, within applicable rights/repertoire | Yes, under VENUORA licence terms |
| Background music | Yes | Yes |
| Business-focused | Yes | Yes |
| AI-generated catalogue | Depends on applicable rights/repertoire | VENUORA catalogue may include AI-generated music |
| Automatic exemption from other obligations | Not applicable | No blanket claim |
| UAE business use | Yes | Yes, subject to licence terms |
The key takeaway:
Do not confuse collective rights management with a private music catalogue licence.
They can involve different rights, repertoires and legal arrangements.
The Responsible UAE Business Approach
The UAE is building a stronger intellectual-property and creative-economy environment.
Businesses can contribute to that environment by taking music rights seriously.
That means:
Respect creators.
Use music legally.
Keep documentation.
Understand your licence.
Don't assume streaming access equals commercial rights.
Don't assume "royalty-free" means "licence-free."
Don't assume "AI-generated" means "copyright-free."
Don't assume a private music provider automatically replaces every collective-management requirement.
Final Takeaway
If you run a UAE business that plays music, EMRA is an organisation you should know about.
The UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism has now introduced a formal Collective Management in Music Guide, with fees beginning in December 2026. The Ministry identifies EMRA and Music Nation as the organisations responsible for collecting relevant fees and managing the associated rights. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
EMRA's current business-user system already provides licensing pathways for:
F&B → Gyms → Hotels → Stores → Supermarkets → Department Stores → Spas → Events → Broadcasters → Other businesses. (EMRA)
So don't wait until December.
Audit your music now.
Understand your rights now.
Check your licensing position now.
Keep proper documentation.
And if you want an additional source of professionally documented commercial background music:
VENUORA
Commercial Background Music for UAE Businesses
VENUORA's approach is simple:
Curated catalogue + documented provenance + commercial licence + business-focused music.
Important Licensing Disclaimer
This page is an educational and commercial information resource and is not legal advice.
EMRA's role, licensing scope, repertoire and applicable fees should be confirmed directly with EMRA and/or the relevant authorised organisation for the specific business and music use.
The UAE Ministry's 2026 Collective Management in Music Guide establishes the new framework, but the treatment of particular music catalogues, independently controlled music, AI-generated music and other specific rights questions can depend on the actual rights and circumstances.
VENUORA does not claim that purchasing a VENUORA licence automatically exempts a business from EMRA, Music Nation or any other applicable UAE music-rights requirement.
A VENUORA licence applies to eligible VENUORA catalogue music and the rights expressly granted under the VENUORA commercial licence.
Official Sources
UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism — Collective Management in Music Guide
The Ministry's official 11 August 2026 announcement confirms the new framework, the covered commercial sectors, the December 2026 commencement and the roles of EMRA and Music Nation. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
UAE Ministry — Collective Management in Music Guide
EMRA — Official Website
EMRA's official website provides information for creators and Music Users, including hotels, restaurants, cafés, gyms, stores and other businesses. (EMRA)
EMRA — Music Licensing Application
The current EMRA licensing form includes F&B, Gym/Fitness Center, Hotel, Store, Supermarket, Department Stores, Spa and other business categories. (EMRA)
EMRA Music Licensing Application
EMRA — Music User Pre-Application
The current pre-application asks businesses about background music, streaming services, DJs, live music, music areas, daily hours, locations and existing music-rights agreements. (EMRA)
EMRA Music User Pre-Application
UAE Ministry — Music Nation
The Ministry announced Music Nation's second collective music-management licence in June 2025. (Ministry of Economy and Trade)
UAE Ministry — Music Nation Collective Management Licence
Related UAE Music Licensing Guides
UAE Music Licensing Guide 2026 — Complete Guide
The complete plain-English introduction to UAE music licensing, copyright, neighbouring rights, EMRA, Music Nation and commercial music use.
UAE Music Licensing Fees 2026
Café, restaurant, gym, hotel, retail, mall, airline, radio and television tariffs.
Do Cafés & Restaurants Need a Music Licence in UAE?
A practical guide for UAE F&B businesses.
UAE Music Licence for Restaurants & Cafés
Restaurant and café licensing, tariffs, Spotify, YouTube, DJs and background music.
UAE Music Licence for Gyms & Fitness Centres
Gym licensing, floor-area tariffs, streaming services and workout music.
UAE Music Licence for Hotels
Hotel licensing, room-based tariffs, lobby music, restaurants, spas, gyms, DJs and events.
UAE Music Licence for Shops & Retail Businesses
Retail music licensing, store-size tariffs, mall tenants, Spotify and commercial background music.
UAE Music Licence for Salons & Spas
Beauty, wellness and spa music licensing explained.
EMRA vs Music Nation — UAE Music Licensing Explained
What the two authorised collective-management organisations do and what businesses should know.
Can You Play Spotify, YouTube or AI-Generated Music in a UAE Business?
Understanding commercial music rights, streaming services, AI-generated music and direct licensing.
Last reviewed: 25 August 2026
VENUORA — Commercial Background Music for UAE Businesses
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