Abu Dhabi Music Licence 2026 | Music Licensing Abu Dhabi | EMRA Music Licence Abu Dhabi | Restaurant & Café Music Licence Abu Dhabi | Background Music Licence Abu Dhabi | Commercial Music Licence Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Music Licence Cost
Last updated: 27 August 2026
If you operate a café, restaurant, hotel, gym, shop, salon or another business in Abu Dhabi that plays music, you may be wondering:
Do I need a music licence in Abu Dhabi?
You may also be searching for:
How much does a music licence cost in Abu Dhabi?
How do I apply for a music licence in Abu Dhabi?
Do I need an EMRA music licence?
Does Spotify cover music licensing for my business?
This guide explains the UAE music licensing framework as it applies to businesses operating in Abu Dhabi, using straightforward language.
Abu Dhabi Music Licence — Quick Answer
There is not a completely separate Abu Dhabi-only music licensing regime for the collective management of music rights.
The UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism has established a federal Collective Management in Music framework under Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026.
The Ministry launched its Collective Management in Music Guide on 11 August 2026, with applicable fees scheduled to begin being collected from December 2026.
The framework covers commercial music use in categories including:
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Hotels
- Fitness centres
- Shopping malls
- Airlines
- Radio
- Television
- Concerts and similar events.
So, if you operate a business in Abu Dhabi, the important question is not:
"Is there a special Abu Dhabi music licence?"
It is:
"What UAE music licensing requirements apply to my business and the way I use music?"
Is Abu Dhabi Covered by the UAE Music Licensing Framework?
Yes.
The framework is UAE-wide.
EMRA's current music-user process specifically allows businesses to identify their emirate, including:
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Ajman
- Fujairah
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Umm Al Quwain.
This means an Abu Dhabi business should not assume that music licensing is only a Dubai issue.
Who Handles Music Licensing in Abu Dhabi?
The UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism has authorised two collective-management organisations:
EMRA
Emirates Music Rights Association
and:
Music Nation
Both operate within the UAE's collective-management framework. The Ministry says they are responsible for collecting applicable fees and managing relevant rights under the framework.
Is EMRA an Abu Dhabi Government Department?
No.
EMRA is not the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.
It is an authorised collective-management organisation.
The distinction is important:
Abu Dhabi business/trade licensing
Deals with permission to operate your business.
Music licensing
Deals with applicable music rights associated with commercial use.
These are different matters.
When Does Abu Dhabi Music Licensing Start?
The UAE Ministry says applicable fees under the new framework will begin being collected from:
December 2026
Current reporting identifies:
1 December 2026
as the implementation date.
The relevant collective-management licences are issued for:
One year
and are renewable under the applicable rules and conditions.
Abu Dhabi Music Licence Cost 2026
There is no single Abu Dhabi music licence price.
The reported tariff depends on the business category and scale of activity.
Examples of reported starting tariffs include:
| Business | Reported starting annual tariff |
|---|---|
| Café / restaurant — recorded background music | AED 1,500 |
| Café / restaurant — DJ/entertainment | AED 2,500 |
| Retail shop | AED 1,700 |
| Fitness centre | AED 1,700 |
| Hotel | Classification + room-based |
| Major shopping centre | Area-based; reported up to AED 50,000 |
| Airline | Reported up to AED 45,000 |
These are reported figures associated with the Ministry's tariff schedule. Businesses should confirm the exact applicable tariff and licensing arrangement before making payment.
Abu Dhabi Café Music Licence
One of the most common searches is:
"Do I need a music licence for my café in Abu Dhabi?"
If your café uses music commercially, you should assess the applicable licensing requirements.
For recorded background music, the reported restaurant/café 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 |
| Above 200 | AED 4,800 + AED 20/additional seat |
| Reported maximum | AED 6,000 |
Example
A 45-seat Abu Dhabi café using recorded background music:
Reported tariff: AED 1,500/year
The exact classification should be confirmed through the applicable licensing process.
Abu Dhabi Restaurant Music Licence
Restaurants fall into the relevant restaurant/café category.
For example:
70-seat restaurant
Reported tariff:
AED 2,700/year
150-seat restaurant
Reported tariff:
AED 4,800/year
These figures are based on the reported tariff schedule and should be confirmed for the specific business.
Abu Dhabi Restaurant With DJ
If your restaurant uses a DJ or entertainment, a higher reported tariff applies.
| Seating | Reported annual fee |
|---|---|
| 1–50 | AED 2,500 |
| 51–100 | AED 3,500 |
| 101–200 | AED 6,500 |
| Above 200 | AED 6,500 + AED 20/additional seat |
| Reported maximum | AED 8,000 |
So a small Abu Dhabi restaurant with a DJ should not simply use the AED 1,500 background-music figure.
Do Abu Dhabi Gyms Need a Music Licence?
Fitness centres are included in the commercial music-user framework.
The reported fitness-centre tariff is 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 Abu Dhabi fitness centre:
Reported tariff: AED 1,700/year
Do Abu Dhabi Hotels Need a Music Licence?
Hotels are specifically included in the UAE framework.
Hotel tariffs are structured differently from cafés and gyms.
Reported rates include:
1–2 star: AED 50/room
3 star: AED 120/room
4–5 star: AED 150/room
with category-specific annual bands and reported ceilings.
A hotel should therefore determine its tariff using the applicable hotel classification and room count.
Do Abu Dhabi Shops Need a Music Licence?
Retail businesses are included in EMRA's current music-user licensing process, including:
- Stores
- Supermarkets
- Department stores.
The reported retail tariff is:
| 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/additional 25 m² |
| Reported maximum | AED 20,000 |
Abu Dhabi Shopping Mall Music Licence
Shopping malls are covered by the UAE framework.
The reported tariff for major shopping centres is based on common/shared areas.
The reported structure starts at:
AED 625
for the first 100 m², followed by additional area charges.
The reported maximum is:
AED 50,000/year
An individual shop inside a mall should not automatically assume it falls under the mall's common-area licence.
Abu Dhabi Salon & Spa Music Licence
EMRA's current music-user application includes:
- Beauty salons
- Spas.
So an Abu Dhabi salon or spa using music should assess its music licensing position.
Do not assume:
"It's only relaxing background music, so no licensing issue exists."
The exact applicable tariff should be confirmed through the relevant process.
Abu Dhabi Event & DJ Music Licensing
The Ministry's framework includes:
- Concerts
- Similar events.
A commercial Abu Dhabi event with:
- DJ
- Live band
- Singer
- Entertainment
should not automatically be treated as ordinary background music.
The type of use matters.
Abu Dhabi Background Music Licence
Background music is one of the most common commercial uses.
Examples:
- Café ambience
- Restaurant music
- Hotel lobby music
- Gym music
- Retail music
- Salon music
- Spa music.
EMRA's current pre-application specifically asks businesses whether they use background music, how many music areas are involved and average daily hours.
Does Background Music Need a Licence in Abu Dhabi?
A business should not assume that the word "background" makes music non-commercial.
If music is played in a customer-facing commercial environment, the business should assess its applicable music-rights requirements.
Restaurants, cafés, hotels, fitness centres and other commercial categories are specifically addressed by the new framework.
Abu Dhabi Music Licence and Spotify
One of the most common questions is:
"I have Spotify Premium. Do I still need a music licence for my Abu Dhabi business?"
Do not automatically assume that a consumer subscription gives your business all rights required for commercial public playback.
EMRA's current pre-application specifically asks whether businesses use:
- Spotify
- YouTube
- SoundCloud.
If you use these services, disclose that when providing your music-use information.
Abu Dhabi Music Licence and YouTube
The same principle applies to YouTube.
Being able to stream a song or video does not automatically establish that a business has every right associated with commercial public playback.
Abu Dhabi Music Licence and SoundCloud
SoundCloud is also specifically mentioned in EMRA's current music-user application.
Again:
Streaming access is not automatically the same thing as a commercial public-performance licence.
What About Royalty-Free Music in Abu Dhabi?
"Royalty-free" is not automatically the same as:
"No licence required."
Check the actual licence terms.
Look for:
- Commercial use
- Public playback
- UAE/territory
- Duration
- Restrictions.
What About AI-Generated Music in Abu Dhabi?
AI-generated music is an increasingly relevant issue for UAE businesses.
There is currently no blanket UAE rule identified stating that all AI-generated music is automatically exempt from music licensing.
If your business uses AI-generated music, examine:
- AI platform
- Plan
- Terms
- Output rights
- Commercial rights
- Provenance
- Third-party content
- Applicable UAE requirements.
Can I Play Music I Created Myself?
Possibly, depending on your rights.
If you own/control the relevant composition and recording rights, document:
- Ownership
- Contributors
- Composition
- Recording
- Commercial rights.
Do not rely solely on the statement:
"I created it myself."
What About Public-Domain Music?
Be careful.
A composition may be in the public domain while a particular recording is still protected.
Therefore:
Public-domain composition ≠ automatically public-domain recording.
What If an Independent Artist Gives My Abu Dhabi Business Permission?
Get it in writing.
Check that the person granting permission actually controls the relevant rights and that the licence covers:
- Commercial use
- Public playback
- UAE
- The specific recording
- Duration.
How to Apply for a Music Licence in Abu Dhabi
The basic process is:
Step 1
Identify your business.
Step 2
Identify how music is used.
Step 3
List your locations.
Step 4
Gather your business information.
Step 5
Identify your music sources.
Step 6
Identify existing agreements.
Step 7
Submit the relevant information through the authorised process.
Step 8
Determine the applicable tariff.
Step 9
Complete the licensing/payment process.
Step 10
Keep your licence documentation.
EMRA currently provides an online music-user licensing process.
What Information Does an Abu Dhabi Business Need?
EMRA's current process asks for information such as:
- Company legal name
- Trade licence number
- VAT registration number
- Main address
- Total locations
- Business type
- Emirates.
What Music Information Should You Prepare?
Prepare:
Background music
- Number of areas
- Average daily hours
Streaming
- Service
- Areas
- Daily hours
DJ
- Areas
- Daily hours
- Frequency
- Show timings
Live music
- Areas
- Daily hours
- Event frequency
Existing agreements
- Rights organisation
- Agreement details.
How Long Does an Abu Dhabi Music Licence Last?
The Ministry states that relevant collective-management licences are issued for:
One year
and are renewable according to applicable rules and conditions.
Can I Apply Before December 2026?
Yes.
EMRA already operates a music-user pre-application and licensing process.
Businesses do not need to wait until the final days before implementation to organise their music licensing.
Why Abu Dhabi Businesses Should Prepare Early
Consider a restaurant that discovers in November that it has:
- Spotify playlists
- YouTube music
- A DJ every Thursday
- Live music once a month
- Two branches
- An old music agreement.
Untangling that at the last minute is unnecessary.
Instead:
Audit now.
Clarify now.
Document now.
Budget now.
Abu Dhabi Music Licensing Checklist
Before contacting the relevant organisation:
Business
☐ Trade licence
☐ Company legal name
☐ VAT information
☐ Business type
☐ Number of locations
☐ Abu Dhabi premises
Music
☐ Background music
☐ Spotify
☐ YouTube
☐ SoundCloud
☐ Downloaded music
☐ DJ
☐ Live music
☐ Events
Usage
☐ Music areas
☐ Daily hours
☐ DJ frequency
☐ Live-event frequency
Rights
☐ Existing music licence
☐ Music-provider agreement
☐ Catalogue information
☐ Commercial-use permissions.
Common Abu Dhabi Music Licensing Mistakes
"We only play background music."
That does not automatically mean there are no licensing considerations.
"We have Spotify Premium."
A consumer subscription should not automatically be treated as a commercial public-playback licence.
"Our music is royalty-free."
Check the licence.
"Our music is AI-generated."
AI generation does not automatically establish a blanket UAE exemption.
"We have an Abu Dhabi trade licence."
A trade licence is not a music-rights licence.
"Our DJ handles everything."
Your business should still understand its music-use and licensing position.
"The mall has a licence, so our shop is automatically covered."
Don't assume this.
The mall's common-area arrangement and an individual retailer's music use can be different matters.
Abu Dhabi Music Licensing and Multiple Branches
Suppose your company operates:
Abu Dhabi — 3 branches
and:
Dubai — 2 branches
Provide the relevant location information.
EMRA's current application specifically asks for the total number of locations and emirates.
What If My Abu Dhabi Business Has One Branch With a DJ?
Declare it.
For example:
Branch A
Background music.
Branch B
Background music + DJ.
Don't assume they necessarily have identical licensing treatment.
What If My Restaurant Has Live Music?
Declare the live performance.
EMRA's current pre-application separately asks about live music and frequency.
What If I Play Music Only for a Few Hours?
Tell the licensing organisation your actual use.
The current EMRA pre-application specifically asks about average daily hours.
Do not invent a figure simply to obtain a lower classification.
What If I Play Music in Several Areas?
Count them.
For example:
Hotel
Lobby — 1
Restaurant — 1
Gym — 1
Spa — 1
Pool — 1
That information can be relevant to the licensing assessment.
What If I Already Have a Music Licence?
Keep it.
Then check:
- Issuer
- Licence period
- Catalogue
- Rights
- Premises
- Territory
- Permitted use.
EMRA's current application specifically asks about existing agreements with music-rights organisations.
What If I Use Music From Another Commercial Provider?
Do not automatically cancel the agreement.
First determine:
What catalogue is covered?
What rights are licensed?
What territory?
What premises?
What duration?
What commercial use?
Then establish how that arrangement interacts with the UAE framework.
What About VENUORA in Abu Dhabi?
VENUORA is being developed as:
Commercial Background Music for UAE Businesses
The model focuses on:
Controlled catalogue
Documented provenance
Defined commercial licence
Business-focused background music.
The objective is to provide businesses with a more structured way to source and manage commercial background music.
Does VENUORA Replace EMRA in Abu Dhabi?
VENUORA does not make that blanket claim.
A VENUORA licence is intended to cover:
Eligible VENUORA catalogue music and the rights expressly granted under the VENUORA commercial licence.
It does not automatically cover:
- Spotify
- YouTube
- SoundCloud
- DJ repertoire
- Live performers
- Other music catalogues.
Nor does VENUORA currently claim that purchasing its licence automatically eliminates any applicable EMRA or Music Nation obligation.
Why VENUORA Can Be Useful to an Abu Dhabi Business
Many businesses have music coming from several places.
That creates uncertainty.
VENUORA's intended approach is:
Controlled catalogue
↓
Documented provenance
↓
Commercial licence
↓
Business playback
↓
Licence documentation.
The business knows what it is receiving.
Music Provenance for Abu Dhabi Businesses
Music provenance means being able to document:
Where the music came from and what rights were obtained.
For a controlled catalogue:
Source → rights/provenance review → catalogue → commercial licence → customer
This can be especially useful for independently controlled or AI-generated catalogues.
Should Abu Dhabi Businesses Start Now?
Yes — start preparing now.
The new framework begins collecting applicable fees in December 2026.
But the preparation does not need to wait.
A business can begin:
Auditing music
Checking licences
Identifying sources
Organising documentation
Contacting the relevant organisation
Reviewing commercial music providers.
A Simple Abu Dhabi Music Rights Audit
Ask:
1. What music do we play?
2. Where does it come from?
3. Do we use Spotify?
4. Do we use YouTube?
5. Do we use SoundCloud?
6. Do we use downloaded music?
7. Do we have a DJ?
8. Do we have live music?
9. How many music areas?
10. How many hours per day?
11. How many branches?
12. Do we already have a music agreement?
13. Can we prove our rights?
If you can answer these questions, you're well on your way to understanding your Abu Dhabi music licensing position.
Abu Dhabi Music Licence FAQ
Do cafés in Abu Dhabi need a music licence?
Restaurants and cafés are specifically covered by the UAE collective-management framework. A business using music commercially should assess the applicable licensing requirements.
How much does a café music licence cost in Abu Dhabi?
Reported tariffs for recorded background music start at AED 1,500/year for restaurants/cafés with up to 50 seats.
How much does a restaurant music licence cost in Abu Dhabi?
Reported background-music tariffs range from AED 1,500 to AED 6,000 according to seating capacity, with a separate higher schedule for DJ/entertainment use.
Do gyms in Abu Dhabi need a music licence?
Fitness centres are included in the framework, with reported fees starting at AED 1,700/year.
Do hotels in Abu Dhabi need a music licence?
Hotels are specifically included in the UAE framework.
Do shops in Abu Dhabi need a music licence?
Retail stores, supermarkets and department stores appear in EMRA's current music-user licensing process.
Is there a separate Abu Dhabi music licence?
The collective-management framework is UAE-wide rather than a separate Abu Dhabi-only regime.
Who manages music licensing in Abu Dhabi?
The UAE Ministry has authorised EMRA and Music Nation as collective-management organisations under the framework.
When do music licensing fees start?
Applicable fees begin in December 2026; current reporting identifies 1 December 2026.
Are music licences annual?
The Ministry says the relevant licences are issued for one year and are renewable under applicable conditions.
Does Spotify Premium cover my Abu Dhabi café?
Do not assume that a consumer subscription provides all commercial public-playback rights.
Does YouTube cover music licensing?
Do not assume so.
Is royalty-free music exempt?
No blanket exemption should be assumed.
Is AI-generated music exempt?
No blanket UAE exemption has been identified.
Does VENUORA replace EMRA?
VENUORA makes no blanket claim that its licence replaces EMRA or Music Nation.
Can I prepare before December?
Yes. EMRA already operates a music-user pre-application and licensing process.
Abu Dhabi Music Licence — One-Minute Guide
If you operate a business in Abu Dhabi that plays music:
Know your business.
Know your music.
Know your music sources.
Know your locations.
Know your music areas.
Know your daily usage.
Know whether you use DJs or live performers.
Know your existing agreements.
Understand your applicable tariff.
Keep your documentation.
The UAE's new collective-management framework begins applicable fee collection in:
December 2026
The best time to understand your music licensing position is:
Before the deadline.
Final Takeaway
For businesses in Abu Dhabi, music licensing is part of a UAE-wide collective-management framework.
There is no single universal:
"Abu Dhabi music licence fee."
The applicable tariff depends on the:
Business category + scale + nature of music use.
Reported examples include:
Café/restaurant background music: from AED 1,500/year
Café/restaurant with DJ: from AED 2,500/year
Gym: from AED 1,700/year
Retail: from AED 1,700/year
Major shopping centre: potentially up to a reported AED 50,000/year
Hotel: classification and room-based
The Ministry has confirmed the new framework and the roles of EMRA and Music Nation.
So if your Abu Dhabi business plays music:
Audit your music now.
Understand your rights now.
Prepare before December 2026.
Important Licensing Disclaimer
This page is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
The UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism'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 roles of EMRA and Music Nation.
The detailed AED amounts presented on this page are reported tariff figures from UAE media and other sources referring to the Ministry's tariff schedule. Businesses should confirm their exact classification, applicable tariff, repertoire, rights and licensing arrangement with the relevant authorised organisation before relying on a figure for payment or compliance.
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 licensing questions should confirm their position with the relevant authorised organisation or a qualified UAE legal adviser.
Official Sources
UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism
EMRA — Music Licensing
EMRA — Music User Pre-Application
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
UAE Music Licence Cost 2026 — How Much Does a Music Licence Cost?
How to Get a Music Licence in UAE — Step-by-Step Guide
EMRA Music Licence Cost UAE 2026
Music Licence Dubai 2026 — Complete Guide for Businesses
VENUORA — Commercial Background Music for Abu Dhabi Businesses
Controlled catalogue. Documented provenance. Defined commercial licence.
VENUORA is being developed for UAE businesses that want a structured approach to commercial background music.
Know the music. Know the rights. Keep the licence.
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