UAE Music Licensing Cost 2026 | Music Licence Price UAE | EMRA Music Licence Fee | Café, Restaurant, Gym, Hotel, Retail & Shopping Mall Music Licence Costs | UAE Commercial Music Licensing Fees
Last updated: 27 August 2026
If you run a café, restaurant, gym, hotel, retail shop or another commercial business in the UAE, you may be asking:
How much does a music licence cost in the UAE?
The answer depends on what type of business you operate, the size of your premises, how you use music and, for some categories, the scale of your operation.
The UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism has now published its Collective Management in Music Guide under Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026.
The Ministry says collection of the applicable fees begins in:
December 2026
The framework covers restaurants and cafés, shopping malls, fitness centres, hotels and floating hotels, airlines, radio and television broadcasters, concerts and similar events.
This page explains the reported 2026 UAE music licensing fees in plain English.
UAE Music Licence Cost — Quick Answer
For the main commercial venue categories, the reported annual tariffs currently range approximately from:
AED 1,500 to AED 50,000+
depending on the type and size of business.
For example:
| Business | Reported annual starting fee |
|---|---|
| Café / restaurant — background music | AED 1,500 |
| Café / restaurant with DJ/entertainment | AED 2,500 |
| Retail shop | AED 1,700 |
| Fitness centre | AED 1,700 |
| Major shopping mall common areas | AED 625 + area-based charges |
| Hotel | AED 50/room and above, depending on classification |
| Radio | 1%–3% of annual income, depending on category |
| TV | 0.25%–1% of annual income, depending on category |
| Airlines | From AED 5,000, with higher bands up to a reported AED 45,000 |
The exact amount depends on the applicable tariff category.
⚠️ Important: What These Prices Mean
These are the reported tariff figures associated with the 2026 Collective Management in Music Guide.
The Ministry's official announcement confirms the framework, the covered categories, the December 2026 commencement and the fact that fees are structured according to the nature of music use and scale of economic activity.
The detailed AED figures below have been independently reported from the Ministry's tariff schedule by Gulf News and Khaleej Times, and are also reproduced by other UAE sources.
For an actual payment or compliance decision, businesses should confirm their classification and payable amount with the relevant authorised organisation.
UAE Music Licence Fees 2026 — Full Overview
1. Restaurants & Cafés — Background Music
For restaurants and cafés using recorded background music, the reported annual tariff is:
| Seating capacity | Reported annual fee |
|---|---|
| 1–50 seats | AED 1,500 |
| 51–100 seats | AED 2,700 |
| 101–200 seats | AED 4,800 |
| More than 200 | AED 4,800 + AED 20/additional seat |
| Reported maximum | AED 6,000 |
Example
A Dubai café with 40 seats playing recorded background music would fall into the reported:
AED 1,500/year
category.
A 120-seat restaurant would fall into the reported:
AED 4,800/year
category.
2. Restaurants & Cafés With DJs / Entertainment
A separate and higher tariff is reported for restaurants and cafés with:
- DJs
- Entertainment
- Entertainment clubs
- Similar uses.
| Seating capacity | Reported annual fee |
|---|---|
| 1–50 seats | AED 2,500 |
| 51–100 seats | AED 3,500 |
| 101–200 seats | AED 6,500 |
| More than 200 | AED 6,500 + AED 20/additional seat |
| Reported maximum | AED 8,000 |
This demonstrates an important principle:
Background music and entertainment use are not necessarily priced the same way.
3. Retail Shops & Commercial Complexes
For shops and commercial complexes, the reported tariff is based on floor area, rather than seating capacity.
| Floor area | Reported annual fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 300 m² | AED 1,700 |
| 301–700 m² | AED 3,400 |
| Above 700 m² | AED 3,400 + AED 60 per additional 25 m² |
| Reported maximum | AED 20,000 |
So a small 200 m² retail store would fall into the reported:
AED 1,700/year
category.
4. Fitness Centres & Gyms
The reported fitness-centre tariff is also based on floor area.
| Floor area | Reported annual fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 300 m² | AED 1,700 |
| Above 300 m² | AED 1,700 + AED 5/additional m² |
| Reported maximum | AED 6,000 |
Example
A 250 m² gym:
AED 1,700/year
based on the reported schedule.
A 500 m² gym:
AED 1,700 + the applicable additional-area calculation.
5. Major Shopping Malls
The reported tariff for major shopping centres is calculated according to common/shared areas.
The reported structure begins at:
AED 625
for the first 100 m² of common areas,
followed by:
AED 50
for every additional 25 m².
The reported annual ceiling is:
AED 50,000
This should not automatically be confused with the licence applicable to an individual shop inside the mall.
6. Hotels & Floating Hotels
Hotel tariffs are calculated differently.
The reported tariff depends on:
- Hotel classification
- Number of rooms.
The reported rates include:
| Hotel classification | Reported rate |
|---|---|
| 1–2 star | AED 50/room |
| 3 star | AED 120/room |
| 4–5 star | AED 150/room |
There are also fixed bands and annual ceilings depending on room count.
The reported maximum for the highest category is:
AED 25,000/year
7. Radio Stations
Broadcasting is treated differently from restaurants and retail businesses.
The reported tariff is based on annual income.
General-programming radio
1% of annual income
Music-focused radio
3% of annual income
A reported minimum annual fee of:
AED 1,700
applies to radio stations.
8. Television Channels
The reported TV structure also uses annual income.
General-programming TV
1% of annual income
News channels
0.25% of annual income
The reported minimum annual fee is:
AED 1,700
9. Airlines
Airlines providing integrated entertainment services have a separate tariff structure.
The reported fees begin at:
AED 5,000/year
and rise according to the applicable number of passenger seats, with a reported maximum of:
AED 45,000/year
UAE Music Licence Cost Calculator — Simple Examples
Example 1 — Small Café
40 seats
Recorded background music.
Reported annual tariff:
AED 1,500
Example 2 — Medium Café
80 seats
Recorded background music.
Reported annual tariff:
AED 2,700
Example 3 — 150-Seat Restaurant
Recorded background music.
Reported annual tariff:
AED 4,800
Example 4 — Small Restaurant With DJ
40 seats
DJ/entertainment use.
Reported annual tariff:
AED 2,500
Example 5 — Small Retail Store
200 m²
Reported annual tariff:
AED 1,700
Example 6 — Small Gym
250 m²
Reported annual tariff:
AED 1,700
Example 7 — 500 m² Gym
Reported calculation:
AED 1,700 + AED 5 × additional square metres
500 m² − 300 m² = 200 m²
200 × AED 5 = AED 1,000
Indicative calculation:
AED 2,700/year
subject to confirmation of the applicable tariff calculation.
What Determines the UAE Music Licence Cost?
There isn't one universal UAE music licence price.
The tariff depends on the category.
Café / Restaurant
Usually:
Seating capacity
Retail
Usually:
Floor area
Gym
Usually:
Floor area
Hotel
Usually:
Star classification + rooms
Radio/TV
Usually:
Annual income/revenue
Airline
Usually:
Applicable passenger seats
Mall
Usually:
Common-area floor space
This category-based approach is consistent with the Ministry's statement that fees are categorised according to the nature of use and scale of economic activity.
Does the Music Licence Cost Depend on How Much Music I Play?
The published tariff structure uses different objective criteria depending on the business category.
However, EMRA's current music-user intake also asks businesses about their actual music usage, including:
- Number of music areas
- Average daily hours
- Streaming services
- DJs/events
- Live music.
So businesses should provide accurate information about how music is actually used.
Does Background Music Cost Less Than a DJ?
Generally, the published restaurant/café tariff demonstrates that:
Recorded background music
has a lower tariff band,
while:
DJ/entertainment use
has a higher tariff.
This is a useful distinction for restaurants, cafés and entertainment venues.
Is the UAE Music Licence a Monthly Fee?
The reported tariffs are:
Annual
The Ministry says licences for collective-management activities are issued for a one-year period and are renewable under the applicable rules and conditions.
So a reported AED 1,500 café tariff means:
AED 1,500/year
rather than AED 1,500 every month.
Does the Licence Automatically Renew?
The Ministry describes the licence as renewable according to applicable rules and conditions.
Businesses should check the renewal process and requirements when obtaining the licence.
Who Collects the Music Licensing Fees?
The Ministry identifies two authorised collective-management organisations:
EMRA
Emirates Music Rights Association
and:
Music Nation
They are responsible for collecting applicable fees and managing relevant rights under the framework.
Does the Business Pay the UAE Government Directly?
The Ministry has established the regulatory framework and grants the relevant licences for collective-management activities.
The Ministry says EMRA and Music Nation will collect the fees and manage relevant rights.
Therefore, businesses should follow the applicable process communicated by the authorised organisation rather than assuming that a normal government fee-payment portal is involved.
Is the UAE Music Licence the Same as a Trade Licence?
No.
These are completely different things.
Trade licence
Allows your business to conduct its commercial activity.
Music licence
Relates to the relevant rights associated with music use.
You may have a perfectly valid Dubai trade licence and still need to address music licensing if your business uses music in a covered manner.
Is the Music Licence a Tax?
No.
It is a music-rights licensing framework.
It is separate from:
- VAT
- Corporate Tax
- Trade licence fees
- Municipality charges
- Other business costs.
Does Every Business Pay AED 1,500?
No.
AED 1,500 is the reported starting tariff for certain small restaurants/cafés using recorded background music.
It is not a universal UAE music licence fee.
A hotel, gym, retail shop, mall or broadcaster can have a completely different tariff.
Does Every Café Pay AED 1,500?
No.
For restaurants/cafés, the reported tariff changes with seating capacity.
For example:
1–50 seats → AED 1,500
51–100 seats → AED 2,700
101–200 seats → AED 4,800
and so on, subject to the published tariff structure.
Does a DJ Automatically Mean AED 2,500?
Not necessarily.
The reported AED 2,500 figure is the starting band for restaurants/cafés with DJ/entertainment use and up to 50 seats.
The applicable classification should be confirmed based on the actual business and use.
Does a Small Gym Pay the Same as a Small Café?
No.
A small café's tariff is based on seating capacity.
A fitness centre's tariff is based on floor area.
The reported starting tariff for each is:
Café/restaurant
AED 1,500
Fitness centre
AED 1,700.
What About a Salon or Spa?
EMRA's current licensing system includes beauty salons and spas among music-user categories.
Businesses in these categories should confirm the applicable licensing arrangement and tariff for their specific use rather than assuming the café or retail tariff applies.
What About a Small Office?
The answer depends on the actual music use and whether the business falls within a covered category.
Don't assume:
"We are only an office, so music licensing cannot apply."
Likewise, don't assume:
"Every office automatically owes a music fee."
Assess the actual circumstances.
What About a Home-Based Business?
The answer can depend on the nature of the activity and whether music is being used commercially/publicly.
A private personal use is different from a commercial customer-facing environment.
What About Events?
The Ministry's framework includes:
Concerts and similar events
among covered categories.
Event organisers should therefore determine the applicable licensing arrangement before the event.
What About Live Music?
Live music can involve additional rights and a different licensing category from recorded background music.
Businesses should disclose live performances when seeking licensing guidance.
What About Spotify?
A Spotify subscription should not automatically be treated as a commercial music licence.
A streaming subscription gives access to the platform according to its applicable terms.
Commercial/public music use raises separate rights questions.
EMRA's current application specifically asks whether businesses use Spotify and other streaming services.
What About YouTube?
The same principle applies.
Being able to play a YouTube video does not automatically mean your business has every right required to use the music commercially for customers.
What About Royalty-Free Music?
Royalty-free does not automatically mean licence-free.
Royalty-free generally describes a licensing/payment model.
A royalty-free track can still have:
- Copyright
- Licensing conditions
- Commercial-use restrictions
- Territory restrictions.
Read the actual licence.
What About AI-Generated Music?
AI-generated music is a separate issue.
There is currently no blanket UAE rule saying:
"All AI-generated music is exempt from music licensing."
Businesses should examine:
- Source
- AI platform
- Terms
- Rights
- Commercial permissions
- Applicable UAE requirements.
What About VENUORA?
VENUORA is designed as a:
Commercial Background-Music Service for UAE Businesses
The intended model combines:
Controlled catalogue
Documented provenance
Commercial licence
Business-focused background music.
The purpose is to provide businesses with a more structured alternative to simply sourcing music randomly from the internet.
Does VENUORA Cost Less Than the UAE Music Licence?
This is where we need to be precise.
A VENUORA commercial licence and a UAE collective-management fee are not automatically the same thing.
For example, if a café purchases a VENUORA licence, we should not tell that café:
"You have paid VENUORA, so you definitely don't need any other UAE music licence."
That would require a specific legal/regulatory basis that we have not established.
Instead:
VENUORA provides a commercial licence for eligible VENUORA catalogue music.
The customer's wider UAE music-rights position should be assessed separately where applicable.
Why This Distinction Matters
Imagine a café uses:
Spotify
for 50% of its music,
and:
VENUORA
for 50%.
The VENUORA licence only addresses the VENUORA catalogue.
It doesn't automatically resolve the rights associated with the Spotify music.
This is why businesses should conduct a complete music audit.
Can a Business Reduce Its Music Licensing Complexity?
Potentially.
A business can simplify its music environment by using a controlled catalogue where:
- The source is known
- The catalogue is known
- The licence is known
- The permitted use is known
- Documentation is retained.
This is one of the advantages of a dedicated commercial background-music service.
UAE Music Licence Cost — What Should a Business Budget?
A practical approach is to budget according to your category.
Small café
Potentially:
AED 1,500/year
for reported recorded-background-music category.
Small retail shop
Potentially:
AED 1,700/year
Small fitness centre
Potentially:
AED 1,700/year
Hotel
Budget according to:
star classification + room count
Large shopping centre
Potentially:
up to AED 50,000/year
under the reported tariff ceiling.
These are reported tariff figures, not a substitute for confirming the applicable official classification and amount.
What Happens if I Have Multiple Branches?
Do not assume that one location automatically covers all your branches.
Prepare:
- Number of locations
- Emirate
- Business category
- Music use at each location.
EMRA's current music-user application asks businesses to provide location and music-use information.
What If One Branch Has a DJ and Another Doesn't?
Tell the licensing organisation.
The music-use category can differ between locations.
For example:
Branch A
Recorded background music.
Branch B
DJ + entertainment.
Do not simply classify both branches as identical without checking.
What If My Business Uses Music Only Occasionally?
Don't assume that occasional use automatically eliminates licensing considerations.
Explain the actual use and seek the applicable classification.
What If I Only Play Instrumental Music?
Instrumental music can still be protected.
No lyrics does not automatically mean no licensing issue.
What If I Play Classical Music?
Check both:
Composition
and:
Recording.
A public-domain composition can still have a protected modern recording.
What If an Independent Artist Gives Me Permission?
Written permission can be valuable.
But make sure the person giving permission actually controls the relevant rights and that the permission covers:
- Commercial use
- Public playback
- UAE
- Duration
- The specific recording.
What If My Music Is "Copyright-Free"?
Do not rely solely on the label.
Ask for:
Licence terms
Rights information
Commercial-use permission
Public-playback permission
Territory.
What If My Music Is AI-Generated and Royalty-Free?
The same principle applies.
Two different questions are involved:
How was the music created?
AI-generated.
What rights do I have?
Commercial licence.
The first does not automatically answer the second.
When Should Businesses Start Preparing?
Now.
The Ministry says fee collection begins in:
December 2026
But waiting until December to discover what music your business uses is unnecessary.
Start now.
UAE Music Licensing Preparation Checklist
1. List your locations
2. Identify your business category
3. List all music sources
4. Identify Spotify/YouTube/SoundCloud use
5. Identify downloaded music
6. Identify background music
7. Identify DJs
8. Identify live performances
9. Check existing music licences
10. Keep copies of agreements
11. Identify the applicable tariff category
12. Contact the relevant authorised organisation if necessary.
UAE Music Licence Cost — FAQ
What is the cheapest reported UAE music licence fee?
For the principal commercial venue categories covered by the reported tariff schedule, AED 1,500/year is the lowest commonly reported starting fee, for restaurants/cafés with up to 50 seats using recorded background music.
What is the most expensive reported fee?
The reported tariff ceiling reaches AED 50,000/year for major shopping-centre common areas. Some categories such as aviation have reported ceilings of AED 45,000.
How much does an EMRA music licence cost?
There is no single EMRA fee for every business. The applicable tariff depends on the relevant category and music use.
How much does a café music licence cost?
Reported annual background-music fees start at AED 1,500 and rise according to seating capacity.
How much does a restaurant music licence cost?
The same restaurant/café tariff applies to the relevant category, with a separate higher schedule reported for DJ/entertainment venues.
How much does a gym music licence cost?
Reported fitness-centre fees start at AED 1,700/year and are calculated by floor area, subject to the reported maximum.
How much does a retail music licence cost?
Reported retail fees start at AED 1,700/year and are calculated by floor area.
How much does a hotel music licence cost?
Reported hotel fees depend on classification and number of rooms, beginning at AED 50 per room in the lowest hotel category.
How much does a mall music licence cost?
Reported major shopping-centre common-area fees start at AED 625 for the first 100 m², with additional area charges and a reported AED 50,000 annual ceiling.
Are these monthly fees?
No. The reported venue tariffs are annual.
When do UAE music licensing fees begin?
The Ministry says from December 2026.
Are the fees the same in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
The framework is UAE-wide; the applicable tariff depends on business category and scale rather than simply the emirate.
Do I pay the government directly?
The Ministry says EMRA and Music Nation are responsible for collecting applicable fees and managing relevant rights under the framework.
Do I need both EMRA and Music Nation?
Do not automatically assume that every business pays both for every use. The applicable rights, repertoire and licensing arrangement matter.
Does Spotify Premium replace the music licence?
Do not assume so.
Does YouTube replace the music licence?
Do not assume so.
Does royalty-free music eliminate the fee?
No blanket exemption should be assumed.
Does AI-generated music eliminate the fee?
No blanket exemption has been identified.
Does VENUORA eliminate the fee?
VENUORA does not make that blanket claim. A VENUORA licence covers eligible VENUORA catalogue music and the rights expressly granted by the VENUORA licence.
The Most Important Number Is Not Always the Fee
A business owner might look at:
AED 1,500
and think:
"That's all I need to worry about."
But the more important question is:
What music am I actually using?
If your business uses:
- Spotify
- YouTube
- Radio
- Downloaded music
- DJ playlists
- Live performers
- AI music
- Multiple music providers
your overall rights position can be more complicated.
The Smartest Approach for a UAE Business
Instead of asking:
"How do I avoid paying for music?"
ask:
"How do I create a simple, documented and legally appropriate music system for my business?"
That means:
Know your music.
Know your rights.
Know your licence.
Keep your records.
Prepare early.
VENUORA — Commercial Background Music for UAE Businesses
VENUORA is being built around that principle.
Controlled Catalogue
Know what music is being supplied.
Documented Provenance
Know where the music came from.
Commercial Licence
Know what use is permitted.
Business-Focused Service
Designed around commercial background music rather than consumer music streaming.
The goal is to make commercial background music easier for UAE businesses to understand and manage.
VENUORA Is Not a Way to Bypass UAE Music Law
This is important.
VENUORA does not position itself as:
"A way to avoid EMRA."
or:
"A way to avoid Music Nation."
Instead:
VENUORA provides a defined commercial licence for eligible VENUORA catalogue music.
The business remains responsible for understanding its overall UAE music-rights position.
Why Businesses Should Start Preparing Now
December 2026 may sound far away.
But businesses need time to:
- Audit music
- Identify licences
- Change music providers
- Train staff
- Organise branches
- Budget
- Document rights.
The easiest time to fix an unclear music system is:
Before you need to prove it.
Final Takeaway
How much does a UAE music licence cost?
There is no single UAE music licence price.
For the principal venue categories, reported annual tariffs include:
Cafés/restaurants
AED 1,500–AED 6,000 for reported recorded-background-music categories.
Cafés/restaurants with DJ/entertainment
AED 2,500–AED 8,000 reported.
Retail
AED 1,700–AED 20,000 reported.
Fitness centres
AED 1,700–AED 6,000 reported.
Major shopping centres
AED 625–AED 50,000 depending on common-area size.
Hotels
Reported rates from AED 50 per room, depending on classification and room count, with higher annual bands and ceilings.
Radio/TV
Reported percentage-of-income models.
Airlines
Reported starting fees of AED 5,000, rising to a maximum of AED 45,000.
The Ministry confirms that the framework takes effect for fee collection from:
December 2026
and that licences are issued for one year and renewable under the applicable conditions.
So don't simply ask:
"How much is the music licence?"
Ask:
"Which tariff category applies to my business and my music use?"
That is the question that determines your actual cost.
Important Licensing Disclaimer
This page is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
The UAE Ministry's official announcement confirms the Collective Management in Music Guide, Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026, the covered categories, the December 2026 commencement and the general basis for fee categories.
The detailed AED amounts presented on this page are reported tariff figures from credible UAE reporting on the Ministry's tariff schedule. Businesses should confirm their exact classification, applicable fee and licensing procedure with the relevant authorised organisation before making payment or relying on a figure for compliance purposes.
No blanket exemption is claimed for:
- Spotify
- YouTube
- SoundCloud
- Royalty-free music
- Creative Commons music
- Public-domain recordings
- Independently licensed music
- AI-generated music
- VENUORA music.
VENUORA does not claim that purchasing a VENUORA licence automatically replaces or 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 applicable VENUORA commercial licence.
Businesses with specific legal or licensing questions should confirm their position with the relevant authorised organisation or qualified UAE legal adviser.
Official Sources
UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism — Collective Management in Music Guide
The Ministry's official announcement confirms the framework, Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026, covered business categories, December 2026 fee collection, one-year renewable licences, exemptions and the roles of EMRA and Music Nation.
UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism — Collective Management in Music Guide
EMRA — Official Website
Emirates Music Rights Association (EMRA)
Gulf News — UAE Music Licensing Fees 2026
Gulf News reports the detailed tariff schedule for restaurants, cafés, retail, fitness centres, hotels, malls, broadcasting and airlines.
Gulf News — UAE Music Licensing Fees Explained
Related UAE Music Licensing Guides
UAE Music Licensing Guide 2026 — Complete Guide
UAE Music Licensing Fees 2026 — Café, Restaurant, Gym, Hotel & Retail Tariffs
Do Cafés & Restaurants Need a Music Licence in UAE?
UAE Music Licence for Restaurants & Cafés
UAE Music Licence for Gyms & Fitness Centres
UAE Music Licence for Hotels
UAE Music Licence for Shops & Retail Businesses
EMRA Music Licence UAE Explained
Music Nation UAE Music Licensing Explained
Collective Management in Music UAE Explained
Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026 Explained
Background Music Licence UAE
Playing Music in a Café in Dubai — What Licence Do You Need?
Spotify, YouTube & Background Music in UAE Businesses
AI-Generated Music & UAE Music Licensing
Royalty-Free Music vs Licensed Music in UAE
Commercial Music Licence UAE — Complete Guide
UAE Music Licensing FAQ
One-Minute Answer
How much does a UAE music licence cost?
It depends on your business.
Small café/restaurant: reported starting fee AED 1,500/year
Small retail shop: reported starting fee AED 1,700/year
Small fitness centre: reported starting fee AED 1,700/year
Restaurant/café with DJ: reported starting fee AED 2,500/year
Hotel: calculated according to classification and rooms
Large shopping mall: potentially up to a reported AED 50,000/year
Radio/TV: percentage-based tariffs may apply
Airlines: reported fees can reach AED 45,000/year.
The applicable fees begin being collected from:
December 2026
The exact amount depends on your business category, size and music use.
Last reviewed: 27 August 2026
VENUORA — Commercial Background Music for UAE Businesses
Controlled catalogue + documented provenance + commercial licence.
No comments:
Post a Comment