UAE Music Licensing 2026: Fees, Rules, EMRA, Music Nation, Copyright, Background Music and What Businesses Need to Know
Last updated: August 2026
If you run a café, restaurant, hotel, gym, salon, shop, retail store, shopping centre, event venue or another customer-facing business in the UAE, you may have questions about playing music on your premises.
Do you need a music licence?
How much does it cost?
Does Spotify or YouTube cover you?
What is EMRA?
What is Music Nation?
What happens from December 2026?
And what about royalty-free, independently licensed or AI-generated music?
This guide explains the UAE's music licensing framework in simple, practical language.
Important: This page is an educational guide, not legal advice. Music-rights obligations can depend on the music being used, the rights involved, the way music is used and the applicable licensing arrangements. Where the UAE authorities have not yet published a specific clarification, this guide says so.
Quick Answer: What Is Changing in UAE Music Licensing?
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism launched the Collective Management in Music Guide on 11 August 2026 under Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026.
The framework establishes a system for licensing and collecting fees associated with covered commercial uses of music.
The Ministry has announced that collection will begin from December 2026.
The framework covers businesses and activities including:
Restaurants
Cafés
Hotels and floating hotels
Fitness centres and gyms
Shopping malls
Airlines
Radio stations
Television channels
Concerts and similar events
The Ministry says the framework is intended to standardise licensing mechanisms, improve the management of copyright and neighbouring rights, and support creators and the UAE's creative industries.
Two organisations — Emirates Music Rights Association (EMRA) and Music Nation — are responsible for collecting fees and managing the relevant rights under the framework.
What Is Music Licensing?
In simple terms, music licensing is permission to use music in a particular way.
When you buy a song, subscribe to a streaming service or download a recording, that does not automatically mean that you have unlimited rights to use the music however you want.
Music can involve several different rights.
For example, a song may have:
A songwriter or composer
A lyricist
A music publisher
A performer
A record producer
A sound-recording owner
A business playing music to customers may therefore be using rights belonging to several different rightsholders.
A music licence is designed to provide the necessary permission for a particular type of use.
Why Does Music Licensing Matter to UAE Businesses?
Imagine a café playing music through speakers throughout the day.
The music is not being sold to customers.
The café is selling coffee and food.
So why would music licensing matter?
Because the music is being used as part of a commercial environment.
The UAE's copyright framework protects creative works and related rights, while the new Collective Management in Music Guide establishes a more structured system for collective management and licensing of covered music uses.
The Ministry says the new framework is designed to support the lawful use of music while protecting authors, creators, composers, songwriters, performers, musicians, sound-recording producers and publishers.
Who Needs to Think About Music Licensing in the UAE?
If your business plays music for customers, visitors, guests or other members of the public, music licensing should be on your compliance checklist.
The new framework specifically identifies categories such as:
Cafés and Restaurants
This includes businesses using recorded background music and businesses offering more substantial entertainment such as DJs.
Hotels
Hotels and floating hotels are specifically covered, with fees structured according to the applicable category, classification and size.
Gyms and Fitness Centres
Fitness centres are included in the new framework.
Retail Stores
Shops and commercial premises using background music are included.
Shopping Malls
The framework also covers music use in shopping centres and common areas.
Airlines
Airlines providing integrated entertainment services are included.
Radio and Television
Broadcasting uses are covered under separate tariff structures.
Concerts and Similar Events
Concerts and similar music-related events are also included.
When Does the New UAE Music Licensing Framework Start?
The Ministry announced that fees will begin to be collected at the beginning of December 2026.
The licences covered by the framework are issued for one year and are renewable subject to the applicable rules and conditions.
For a UAE business, that means 2026 is an important year to understand:
What music are we using?
Where does it come from?
What rights do we have?
Do we have the appropriate commercial permission?
Do we need to deal with a collective management organisation?
How Much Does a UAE Music Licence Cost?
The fee depends on the type of business, the size of the business and the nature of music use.
The reported tariff schedule includes different categories for restaurants and cafés, retail premises, fitness centres, hotels, shopping malls, broadcasters and airlines.
Reported Restaurant & Café Fees
For recorded background music, reported annual fees are:
| Restaurant/Café size | Reported annual fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 50 seats | AED 1,500 |
| 51–100 seats | AED 2,700 |
| 101–200 seats | AED 4,800 |
| More than 200 seats | AED 4,800 + AED 20 per additional seat |
| Reported maximum | AED 6,000 |
Restaurants and cafés with DJs or entertainment have a higher reported tariff:
| Restaurant/Café size | Reported annual fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 50 seats | AED 2,500 |
| 51–100 seats | AED 3,500 |
| 101–200 seats | AED 6,500 |
| More than 200 seats | AED 6,500 + AED 20 per additional seat |
| Reported maximum | AED 8,000 |
Important: We recommend checking the applicable tariff and licensing requirements directly with the authorised organisation before making a payment or relying on a quoted amount. Tariffs, categories and administrative requirements can change.
What About Shops and Retail Businesses?
The reported tariff structure for shops and commercial premises is based on floor area rather than seating capacity.
Reported figures include:
Up to 300 square metres: AED 1,700 annually
301–700 square metres: AED 3,400 annually
Larger premises: additional charges based on floor area
Reported maximum: AED 20,000 annually
The exact category applicable to a particular business should be confirmed before licensing.
What About Gyms and Fitness Centres?
Fitness centres are also included.
The reported tariff begins at approximately:
AED 1,700 per year for premises up to 300 square metres
Additional charges apply according to floor area, with a reported annual maximum of AED 6,000.
What About Hotels?
Hotels and floating hotels are covered by the framework.
Reported fees are calculated according to factors including:
Hotel classification
Number of rooms
Applicable tariff category
Reported tariffs range according to classification and can reach an annual maximum of AED 25,000 for the highest category.
Hotels should confirm their exact category and applicable fee directly with the relevant licensing organisation.
What About Shopping Malls?
Shopping centres have their own tariff structure.
Reported charges for major shopping-centre common areas are calculated according to the size of the relevant area, with a reported annual maximum of AED 50,000.
This is particularly relevant to mall operators and common-area music systems.
What About DJs and Entertainment?
This is an important distinction.
Background music is not necessarily treated in the same way as DJ or entertainment use.
The reported restaurant/café tariff is significantly higher where the venue provides DJs or entertainment.
Therefore, a business should accurately describe how music is actually being used.
For example:
Café playing soft background music for customers
is different from:
Restaurant operating a regular DJ night.
It is important not to describe entertainment use as merely background music if that is not what is happening.
What About Live Music?
Live music is another category that should be treated separately from ordinary recorded background music.
The UAE framework covers concerts and similar events, and licensing assessments may take into account the nature of music use.
If your venue has:
Live singers
Bands
Musicians
DJs
Regular entertainment nights
Concerts
Ticketed music events
you should check the applicable requirements rather than assuming that a normal background-music arrangement covers everything.
Does Spotify Give a Café Permission to Play Music?
Do not assume that a normal personal streaming subscription gives a business the necessary commercial music rights.
This is one of the most important misunderstandings for small businesses.
A person subscribing to a streaming platform for personal listening is not necessarily receiving the same rights as a business playing music publicly for customers.
The UAE's licensing process specifically asks commercial users whether they use streaming services such as:
Spotify
YouTube
SoundCloud
Other digital music services
Therefore, "I have Spotify Premium" is not, by itself, a safe answer to the question "Am I licensed to play music in my café?"
Businesses should check the terms applicable to their service and the relevant UAE music-rights requirements.
Can I Play YouTube Music in My Restaurant?
The same principle applies.
Being able to access a song on YouTube does not automatically mean that a business has obtained all the rights necessary for commercial public use.
YouTube is primarily a distribution platform.
It is not automatically a blanket commercial music licence for every business use.
If your restaurant, café, gym or shop is using YouTube as its source of background music, you should consider both:
The terms governing the platform/service; and
The underlying music-rights requirements applicable to commercial use in the UAE.
What Is EMRA?
EMRA stands for the Emirates Music Rights Association.
EMRA is a UAE collective management organisation involved in the management of music rights.
Its current music-user licensing system is designed for businesses and venues including:
Hotels
Restaurants
Cafés
Gyms and fitness centres
Stores
Broadcasters
Event venues
Spas
Supermarkets
Department stores
Cinemas
Other commercial users
EMRA's current application process asks businesses about their locations, business type and how they use music.
What Information Does EMRA Ask Businesses to Provide?
The current EMRA music-user pre-application asks for information such as:
Company name
Trade licence information
VAT registration information
Number of locations
Emirates in which the business operates
Business type
Live music use
Background music use
Number of music areas
Average daily music hours
Streaming services used
DJ/event use
Existing agreements with music-rights organisations
This tells us something important:
Music licensing is not simply about whether a business has speakers.
The nature and scale of music use matter.
What Is Music Nation?
Music Nation is another organisation authorised for collective management of music rights in the UAE.
Under the new framework, the Ministry has identified EMRA and Music Nation as the organisations responsible for collecting the relevant fees and managing associated rights.
Their role is connected with the collection and distribution of payments to relevant music creators and rights holders.
What Is Collective Music Rights Management?
The phrase sounds complicated, but the basic idea is simple.
Imagine thousands of composers, performers, producers and publishers each having rights in music.
It would be extremely difficult for every café, hotel, broadcaster or shop to negotiate separately with every individual rightsholder.
A Collective Management Organisation (CMO) can manage rights on behalf of multiple rightsholders.
The organisation can:
Represent participating rightsholders.
License specified uses.
Collect payments.
Distribute money according to the applicable rules and rights represented.
That is the basic idea behind collective management.
What Are Copyright and Neighbouring Rights?
These two terms are frequently used in discussions about music licensing.
Copyright
Copyright protects original creative works.
In music, this can include the underlying musical composition and lyrics.
Neighbouring Rights
Neighbouring rights are related rights associated with people and organisations involved in the performance and recording of creative works.
Depending on the work and rights involved, this can include performers and producers of sound recordings.
This distinction matters because one piece of music can involve more than one layer of rights.
What Is a Musical Work?
Think of the musical work as the underlying song or composition.
It can include elements such as:
Melody
Musical composition
Lyrics
The people involved may include composers, songwriters and publishers.
What Is a Sound Recording?
A sound recording is the recorded version of a performance or musical work.
For example:
A songwriter writes a song.
A singer performs it.
A producer creates a recording.
The resulting recording can involve rights separate from the underlying composition.
This is one reason music licensing can be more complicated than simply asking:
"Who wrote this song?"
What Does "Commercial Music Use" Mean?
In practical terms, commercial music use means using music in connection with a business or commercial activity.
Examples include music played:
In a café
In a restaurant
In a hotel lobby
In a gym
In a retail store
In a shopping mall
During a commercial event
Through a business entertainment system
The exact legal treatment depends on the applicable rights and circumstances.
Are Any Uses Exempt From the New Fees?
Yes.
The Ministry has identified several categories and uses that are exempt from the fees, including:
Educational and academic institutions
Government entities
National occasions
Personal celebrations and events of a non-commercial nature
The Ministry may also create additional exemptions through subsequent decisions.
Do not assume that every non-business situation is exempt. If you are unsure, check the applicable rules for your particular event or use.
What Is the Cultural Support Fund for Music?
The new framework also establishes a Cultural Support Fund for Music.
The Ministry says the fund is intended to support areas such as:
Music composition
Music production
Music distribution
Live performances
Emerging talent
Training programmes
Workshops
Residencies
Artistic grants
Cultural exchange
Promotion of Emirati music
The Ministry has stated that 10% of the total amount collected will be allocated to the fund.
This is intended to support the wider UAE music and creative ecosystem.
Does Every Business Need to Contact EMRA?
This is where businesses need to be careful.
The UAE framework identifies EMRA and Music Nation as the authorised organisations responsible for collective management and collection under the new system.
However, the exact licensing position for a particular business can depend on the music being used, the rights involved, the applicable repertoire and the nature of the use.
Therefore, a business should not make assumptions such as:
"I am a small café, so I don't need a licence."
or:
"I only play background music, so licensing does not apply."
The safer approach is to identify the music source and determine the applicable licensing requirement.
What If I Use Royalty-Free Music?
"Royalty-free" does not necessarily mean "no licence required."
Royalty-free generally means that the pricing model does not require a royalty payment for every individual use.
It does not automatically mean:
Public use is unrestricted
Commercial use is permitted
Every business use is covered
Copyright does not exist
All rights have been cleared
Always read the actual licence terms.
Look for language covering:
commercial use, public performance, business use, redistribution, broadcasting, modification and sublicensing.
What About Independently Licensed Music?
This is an important area for businesses considering alternatives to traditional music sources.
A business may obtain music directly from a provider under a commercial licence.
That can be very different from simply using a personal streaming subscription.
However, a business should understand exactly which rights the provider controls and which rights the licence actually grants.
A provider saying:
"Commercial use allowed"
is useful, but a professional business licence should ideally explain:
Who owns or controls the music?
What rights are being granted?
Where can the music be used?
For how long?
Can it be played publicly?
Can it be used commercially?
Can the business download it?
Can the business use it across multiple locations?
Are there third-party rights?
What happens if the catalogue changes?
What About AI-Generated Music?
This is one of the most interesting emerging questions in UAE music licensing.
AI-generated music is becoming increasingly common, but businesses should not assume that "AI-generated" automatically means "copyright-free" or "licence-free."
There are several separate questions:
How was the music generated?
What platform was used?
What were the platform's terms at the time of creation?
Was the account or plan authorised for commercial use?
Does the provider give the user commercial rights?
Are there third-party materials or samples?
Who controls the final recording?
What rights does the business licence actually grant?
Does the music fall within any repertoire represented by a collective-management organisation?
How does UAE law treat the particular work and use?
The important UAE position in 2026
At the time of this guide's publication, we have not identified an official UAE Ministry clarification stating that AI-generated music is automatically exempt from collective-management fees.
Therefore:
Do not use "AI-generated" as a substitute for a proper rights analysis.
This is an evolving area and should be monitored as further UAE guidance becomes available.
AI Music vs Royalty-Free Music vs Licensed Music
These terms are often confused.
AI-generated music
Describes how the music was created.
It does not automatically tell you what commercial rights you have.
Royalty-free music
Describes a licensing/pricing model.
It does not automatically mean unrestricted commercial use.
Commercially licensed music
Describes music for which the user has been granted specified rights for a defined commercial use.
For a business, this is the most important question:
What exactly does my licence permit me to do?
What Should a UAE Business Do Before December 2026?
If your business plays music, start with these simple steps.
Step 1 — Identify your music
Make a list of the sources you currently use:
Spotify
YouTube
Apple Music
Radio
Downloaded music
Personal music collections
DJs
Live performers
Music providers
Royalty-free libraries
AI-generated music
Step 2 — Identify how you use it
Ask:
Is it background music?
Is it entertainment?
Do we have DJs?
Do we have live performers?
How many areas play music?
How many hours per day?
Step 3 — Check your existing permissions
Find your:
Music licences
Contracts
Streaming subscriptions
Commercial-use terms
Music-provider agreements
Step 4 — Check the applicable UAE requirement
Determine whether your use falls within the new collective-management framework or another applicable licensing arrangement.
Step 5 — Keep documentation
Keep records showing:
Music source
Licence/provider
Licence period
Terms
Catalogue information
Payment receipts
Business locations covered
Step 6 — Review before December 2026
Do not wait until the last minute.
The new framework starts collecting fees from December 2026.
What Happens If a Business Has Multiple Locations?
This is an important question for growing businesses.
A company with:
1 café
5 cafés
20 restaurants
Multiple gyms
Multiple retail stores
should not assume that one licence automatically covers every location.
The current EMRA pre-application process asks businesses for total locations and the emirates in which they operate.
Businesses with multiple outlets should therefore clarify:
Which locations are covered?
Whether the licence is issued per location or under another structure
Whether different business types are treated differently
How additional locations are added
How renewals work
Does the Licence Last Forever?
No.
The Ministry says licences under the framework are issued for one year and are renewable according to the applicable rules and conditions.
Businesses should therefore treat music licensing as an ongoing compliance item rather than a one-time registration.
UAE Music Licensing: Simple Example
Imagine a small café in Dubai with:
40 seats
Background music
No DJ
No live entertainment
The reported annual background-music tariff for a café of this size is AED 1,500.
Now imagine a larger restaurant with:
150 seats
Regular DJ nights
That business falls into a different reported category and the fee is higher.
This illustrates an important principle:
The cost of music licensing can depend on both the size of the business and how the music is used.
Common UAE Music Licensing Mistakes
Mistake 1: "I bought the song, so I can play it commercially."
Buying access to a recording is not necessarily the same as obtaining all public/commercial performance rights.
Mistake 2: "I have Spotify Premium."
A personal streaming subscription should not automatically be treated as a commercial public-performance licence.
Mistake 3: "It's just background music."
Background music is still music being used in a commercial environment.
Mistake 4: "It's royalty-free, so there are no rules."
Royalty-free does not mean rights-free.
Mistake 5: "It's AI-generated, so copyright doesn't apply."
AI-generated music raises additional legal and contractual questions. It should not automatically be treated as licence-free.
Mistake 6: "We have one licence, so all our branches are covered."
Multi-location businesses should confirm exactly what their licence covers.
Mistake 7: "We can call DJ nights background music."
Describe the actual use accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do restaurants need a music licence in the UAE?
Restaurants using music commercially should determine the applicable music-rights licensing requirements. Restaurants and cafés are specifically included in the UAE's new Collective Management in Music framework.
Do cafés need a music licence in Dubai?
Dubai cafés are not automatically exempt simply because they are small businesses. Cafés are specifically identified in the UAE framework. The applicable requirement depends on the music use and licensing arrangement.
How much is a music licence for a café in UAE?
Reported annual fees for recorded background music start at AED 1,500 for cafés/restaurants with up to 50 seats, with higher fees for larger venues. DJ and entertainment categories have higher reported fees.
When do UAE music licensing fees start?
The Ministry has announced that collection begins at the beginning of December 2026.
What is EMRA in the UAE?
EMRA is the Emirates Music Rights Association, a UAE collective management organisation involved in managing music rights and licensing.
What is Music Nation in UAE?
Music Nation is another Ministry-authorised organisation involved in collective management of music rights and collection/distribution of relevant payments.
Does Spotify Premium cover restaurant music licensing?
A personal streaming subscription should not automatically be assumed to provide the rights required for commercial public use.
Can I play YouTube music in my café?
Access to YouTube does not automatically mean that you have all necessary rights to use music commercially in a business.
Is royalty-free music free to use commercially?
Not necessarily. Always check the licence terms for commercial and public use.
Is AI-generated music copyright-free?
Do not assume so. The legal and contractual position can depend on how the music was created, the platform terms, the rights involved and the applicable law.
Does AI-generated music automatically avoid UAE music licensing fees?
There is currently no identified official UAE Ministry clarification establishing a blanket exemption for AI-generated music.
Do gyms need music licensing in UAE?
Fitness centres are specifically included in the new UAE framework.
Do hotels need a music licence in UAE?
Hotels and floating hotels are included in the framework, with fees depending on the applicable classification and number of rooms.
Do shops need a music licence in UAE?
Retail shops and commercial premises using music are included in the reported tariff framework.
Are schools exempt from UAE music licensing fees?
Educational and academic institutions are among the categories identified by the Ministry as exempt from the new fees.
Are government entities exempt?
Government entities are among the categories identified by the Ministry as exempt from the new fees.
Are private parties exempt?
The Ministry identifies personal celebrations and events of a non-commercial nature among the exempt uses.
Are DJ events charged differently?
Reported tariffs for restaurants/cafés with DJs and entertainment are higher than the standard recorded-background-music category.
Are live music performances different from background music?
Yes. Live performances and events can involve different rights and licensing considerations from ordinary recorded background music.
What Is the Difference Between Music Access and Music Licensing?
This is perhaps the easiest way to understand the entire subject.
Music access
You can listen to the music.
Music ownership
You may own or control a copy of the music.
Music licensing
You have permission to use the music in a specified way.
These are not necessarily the same thing.
A business should therefore ask:
"What rights do I have to use this music in my business?"
rather than simply:
"Can I play this song?"
What Should a Good Commercial Music Licence Tell You?
If you obtain music from a commercial music provider, look for clarity around:
1. Who is licensing the music?
The provider should identify the licensing party.
2. What music is covered?
Ideally, there should be a defined catalogue or identifiable repertoire.
3. What rights are granted?
The licence should explain the permitted use.
4. Where can the music be used?
For example:
One business location
Multiple branches
UAE-wide business locations
5. How long is the licence valid?
Know the start and end dates.
6. Can you play the music publicly?
This is especially important for cafés, restaurants, hotels, gyms and retail businesses.
7. Are there third-party rights?
Ask whether the provider controls the relevant rights or relies on another rights holder.
8. Can the licence be documented?
A professional provider should be able to give you evidence of your licence.
The Future of Commercial Background Music in the UAE
The UAE music market is moving toward a more formal and transparent rights-management environment.
For businesses, this means the question is increasingly becoming:
"Where does my music come from, and what rights do I have to use it?"
rather than simply:
"Where can I find some music to play?"
This is especially relevant as businesses explore:
Directly licensed music
Royalty-free catalogues
Production music
AI-generated music
AI-assisted music
Custom music
Background-music platforms
Commercial streaming solutions
The quality of the music still matters.
But so does the rights chain behind the music.
Where Does VENUORA Fit?
VENUORA is developing a commercial background-music solution designed for UAE businesses.
The concept is straightforward:
Curated background music + defined commercial licensing + documented music provenance + simple business use.
The objective is to make it easier for a business to understand:
What music it is receiving
Where that music comes from
What licence it has
How long the licence lasts
Where the music can be used
What documentation it has
VENUORA is particularly interested in the emerging area of independently controlled and AI-assisted/AI-generated music, but we do not believe businesses should be given simplistic claims such as:
"AI music automatically means you do not need a UAE music licence."
That question requires careful consideration of the rights involved and the applicable UAE framework.
As official guidance develops, this page will be updated.
UAE Music Licensing Checklist for Business Owners
Before playing music in your business, ask:
What music am I playing?
Where did it come from?
Who owns or controls it?
Is it commercially licensed?
Does my licence permit public/business use?
Does it cover my location?
Does it cover all my branches?
Does it cover background music?
Do I also have DJs or live entertainment?
Am I using Spotify, YouTube or another streaming service?
Have I checked the relevant UAE licensing requirements?
Have I retained my licence and payment documents?
Have I reviewed the December 2026 changes?
UAE Music Licensing: The Bottom Line
The UAE is introducing a more structured framework for the collective management of music rights.
From December 2026, covered businesses using music commercially will need to understand the applicable licensing requirements and fees.
The businesses most likely to encounter the framework include:
Cafés • Restaurants • Hotels • Gyms • Fitness Centres • Shops • Retail Businesses • Shopping Malls • Airlines • Broadcasters • Events
The most important lesson is simple:
Having access to music is not necessarily the same as having permission to use music commercially.
If you operate a UAE business, identify your music sources, understand your rights, check the applicable licensing requirements and keep proper documentation.
And if you are considering an alternative music provider, don't ask only:
"Is this royalty-free?"
Ask:
"What commercial rights am I actually receiving?"
That is the question that matters.
Official UAE Sources & Further Reading
For the latest official information, businesses should refer to the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the relevant authorised music-rights organisations.
UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism — Collective Management in Music Guide announcement
UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism — Intellectual Property Legislation
EMRA — Music Users and Licensing
EMRA — Music User Pre-Application
This guide should be treated as a practical educational resource and checked against the latest official UAE requirements before a business makes a licensing or compliance decision.
Last reviewed: August 2026
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Source verification:
The core regulatory statements above are based primarily on the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism's own announcement, which confirms Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026, the Collective Management in Music Guide, December 2026 commencement, the covered business categories, EMRA and Music Nation, one-year renewable licences, exemptions and the Cultural Support Fund.
The UAE Ministry also currently lists Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyrights and Neighbouring Rights and Cabinet Decision No. 47 of 2022, its implementing regulation, within its intellectual-property legislation resources.
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