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December 02, 2025
Starting a real estate company in Dubai has never been more attractive. The city’s property market is booming with record transaction volumes, international investors flooding in, and ambitious developments reshaping the skyline. If you’re a qualified professional looking to tap into this lucrative market, you’re in the right place.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about launching your own real estate brokerage in Dubai—from getting your RERA certification to building a profitable property business.
Dubai’s property sector isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving. Transaction volumes are strong across residential, commercial, and luxury segments. The Expo 2020 legacy developments continue to attract buyers, while the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan promises decades of sustained growth.
What makes this market particularly attractive for brokers? The commission structure is straightforward and profitable. You’ll typically earn 2% on property sales and 5% on annual rental values. On a single AED 2 million apartment sale, that’s AED 40,000 in commission. Close just a few deals like this monthly, and you’re looking at serious income potential.
Unlike many markets where real estate can feel like the Wild West, Dubai has established a robust regulatory framework through RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency), which operates under the Dubai Land Department. This regulation actually works in your favor. It weeds out unprofessional operators, builds consumer confidence, and creates a level playing field where quality service wins.
You cannot start a real estate brokerage in Dubai without RERA certification. Period. This isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of your entire business.
Step 1: Complete the Training Course
You’ll need to enroll in an approved RERA training program, typically offered by the Dubai Real Estate Institute or other authorized centers. The course runs four to five days and covers everything from UAE property laws to sales techniques, ethics, contract law, and property valuation.
The training is available both online and in-person, with costs ranging from AED 2,500 to AED 4,000. It’s comprehensive, practical, and designed to ensure you actually understand the Dubai property market.
Step 2: Pass the RERA Examination
After training, you’ll take a multiple-choice exam covering the entire curriculum. The pass rate hovers around 60-70%, so take it seriously. If you don’t pass the first time, you can retake it for an additional fee.
Here’s where your educational background matters: candidates with a bachelor’s degree pay AED 3,200 for the exam, while those without pay AED 6,300. There’s also an alternative path for non-degree holders at AED 15,750.
Step 3: Receive Your RERA Certificate
Once you pass, you’ll receive your RERA certificate, which validates you as a qualified real estate professional in Dubai. This entire process typically takes one to two weeks after completing the training, with total costs ranging from AED 10,000 to AED 15,000.
There are two main paths in Dubai’s real estate industry:
This license allows you to work as an agent under a registered brokerage. Requirements include your RERA certification and employment with a licensed company. The broker ID card costs AED 1,000, with annual renewal fees between AED 5,000 and AED 10,000.
This is the simpler path—you avoid the complexity of running a company and can focus purely on selling properties and earning commissions.
This is what you need to operate your own real estate company. It’s more complex and expensive, but it puts you in control. You’ll earn a percentage of every deal your agents close, building a business rather than just a personal income stream.
Requirements include company formation as an LLC, obtaining DLD approval, securing a physical office space with an Ejari-registered lease, and having a RERA-certified broker as manager or owner.
Total initial investment for a brokerage typically ranges from AED 60,000 to AED 130,000, with the license valid for one year before renewal.
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Before doing anything else, complete your RERA certification. You cannot proceed with company formation or license applications without this credential. Book your training course, attend diligently, pass the exam, and secure your certificate.
Dubai requires real estate brokerages to operate as Limited Liability Companies. You’ll need to decide between two ownership structures:
Traditional UAE Partnership
Historically, this required a UAE national partner holding 51% ownership, with profit-sharing arrangements defined by legal agreements. While this structure still exists, there’s now a more flexible option.
Local Service Agent (LSA)
Recent regulatory changes allow you to use a Local Service Agent instead of a traditional partner. The LSA facilitates government relations but isn’t involved in daily operations and doesn’t share profits. You’ll pay a fixed annual fee between AED 10,000 and AED 25,000. For most foreign entrepreneurs, this is the preferred route.
Here’s something many aspiring brokers overlook: you must have a physical office. Virtual offices won’t cut it for a real estate brokerage license. The Dubai Land Department requires an actual premises with professional appearance, client meeting areas, and an Ejari-registered lease agreement.
Location matters both for your license application and your business success. Here’s what to expect in different areas:
Your office must meet minimum requirements of 150 square feet for one visa allocation, with larger spaces allowing more employee visas.
Now you’ll register your company with the Department of Economic Development. This involves selecting your trade name, specifying “Real Estate Brokerage” as your business activity, and submitting your Memorandum of Association along with required documents.
You’ll need passport copies of all shareholders, your office lease agreement with Ejari registration, your RERA certificate, a business plan summary, and Emirates ID copies. The entire process typically takes two to four weeks.
With your DED trade license in hand, you can now apply to the Dubai Land Department for your RERA brokerage license. This is your official authorization to operate as a real estate company.
Submit your DED trade license copy, Ejari-registered office lease, RERA certificate, company formation documents, Emirates IDs and passport copies, NOC from your property owner, office photographs, and bank account details.
The DLD may conduct a physical inspection of your premises to verify you have a legitimate office setup. The license fee is AED 12,950, and processing takes two to four weeks.
Dubai introduced corporate tax recently, and you need to register within three months of receiving your license. You’ll pay 9% tax on profits exceeding AED 375,000 annually.
If your expected turnover exceeds AED 375,000 (which it should if you’re running a viable brokerage), you’ll also need VAT registration. The rate is 5%, with quarterly returns required.
Banking in Dubai can be slow, so start this process early. You’ll need your trade license, RERA brokerage license, MOA, passport copies, Emirates IDs, proof of address, and a business plan.
Emirates NBD, Mashreq Bank, ADCB, and Commercial Bank of Dubai are popular choices for real estate companies. Expect the process to take two to six weeks.
This is where leads come from. In Dubai’s digital-first market, property portals are essential:
These subscriptions aren’t cheap, but they’re necessary investments. Most serious property seekers start their search on these platforms.
All your agents must hold valid RERA certifications. You can hire both UAE nationals and expatriates, sponsoring visas based on your office size. Your 150 square foot minimum office gets you one visa, with larger spaces allowing more.
Invest in property management software, a CRM system, listing management tools, and accounting software. Build a professional website with property search functionality, establish your social media presence, and create business cards and brochures.
Total Timeline: Expect the entire setup process to take two to three months from start to being fully operational.
Let’s be completely transparent about money. Starting a real estate brokerage in Dubai isn’t cheap, but the returns can be exceptional.
Total Initial Investment: AED 81,150-190,450
Total Monthly: AED 17,500-74,500
Your agents are your business. How you structure their compensation directly impacts your ability to attract and retain talent.
Fixed Salary Plus Commission
Offer a base salary of AED 3,000-5,000 plus 20-30% of commissions earned. This provides security while maintaining motivation. It’s ideal for newer agents who need stability while building their client base.
Commission-Only
Pay 40-60% of deal commissions with no base salary. This is performance-driven and works well with experienced agents who have existing networks and confidence in their abilities.
Senior Agent Structure
Top performers command 60-80% commission splits. If you want to recruit experienced agents from competitors, you’ll need to offer competitive percentages.
On a typical AED 1 million property sale with 2% commission, the total commission is AED 20,000. If your brokerage keeps 50%, that’s AED 10,000 to your company.
For rental deals, a property with AED 100,000 annual rent generates AED 5,000 commission at 5%. Your 50% share is AED 2,500.
These numbers add up quickly when you have multiple agents closing deals consistently.
In Dubai’s competitive market, visibility is everything.
Build a Professional Website
Invest AED 10,000-40,000 in a property website with advanced search functionality, virtual tours, lead capture forms, and mobile responsiveness. Your website is your digital storefront—make it impressive.
Master SEO
Target keywords like “properties for sale Dubai,” “rent apartment Dubai Marina,” and location-specific searches. Create valuable content through area guides, market reports, and investment insights. Local SEO is crucial when buyers search for properties in specific neighborhoods.
Leverage Social Media
Instagram is perfect for property photos and virtual tours. Facebook allows community engagement and targeted advertising. LinkedIn works for commercial properties and B2B networking. Even TikTok is emerging as a platform for property tours and market insights.
Invest in Paid Advertising
Allocate AED 3,000-15,000 monthly for Google Ads targeting high-intent keywords and Facebook/Instagram ads with precise geographic and demographic targeting.
Network Relentlessly
Build relationships with developers—this is critical for accessing off-plan sales. Connect with property management companies, corporate relocation services, and international agent networks. Join the Chamber of Commerce.
Vehicle Branding
Your car is a mobile billboard. Professional vehicle branding with your company logo and contact information costs AED 2,000-5,000 and provides constant visibility as you drive around Dubai.
Encourage Google reviews and portal reviews. Collect video testimonials. Invest in professional photography—high-quality photos are essential, costing AED 500-2,000 per property. For luxury properties, drone footage is worth the investment.
Let’s talk real numbers.
Assume 15 transactions monthly—8 rentals and 7 sales. Average rental of AED 80,000 annually generates AED 4,000 commission. Average sale of AED 1.2 million generates AED 24,000 commission.
Monthly Revenue Calculation:
Monthly Expenses: AED 33,000 (office, salaries, marketing, portals, utilities)
Net Profit: AED 67,000 monthly (67% profit margin)
That’s over AED 800,000 annual profit with just a small team.
Monthly revenue: AED 200,000-300,000
Net profit: AED 120,000-180,000 (40-60% margin)
Monthly revenue: AED 500,000-1,000,000+
Net profit: AED 250,000-500,000+ (35-50% margin)
Most brokerages reach break-even within 6-12 months with effective agent recruitment and marketing.
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RERA and DLD compliance isn’t optional—it’s how you protect your business.
Use Form A for seller/landlord agreements and Form B for buyer/tenant agreements. These are required for all transactions. Always disclose commission structures transparently with no hidden fees.
Register every transaction with the Dubai Land Department using proper documentation. For off-plan sales, use DLD-registered escrow accounts to protect buyers.
Store client information securely, respect privacy, and maintain professional confidentiality. Dubai increasingly expects GDPR-style data handling.
Specialization can set you apart in a crowded market.
Focus on high-value transactions above AED 5 million in premium locations like Palm Jumeirah and Emirates Hills. You’ll work with high-net-worth individuals who expect personalized service. The advantage? Higher commissions per deal and less price sensitivity.
Partner with developers to sell new development projects. Developer commissions range from 2-5%, and the payment plan flexibility attracts buyers. You can close multiple transactions within a single project.
Office spaces, retail units, warehouses, and industrial properties offer higher transaction values and longer lease terms. Corporate clients provide stability, and there’s often less competition than residential.
Offer tenant relations, rent collection, maintenance coordination, and financial reporting. Charge 5-10% of annual rent as a management fee. This creates recurring income and ongoing client relationships that complement your brokerage business.
High Competition: Specialize in a specific area or property type. Deliver exceptional customer service and build strong relationships with developers.
Agent Retention: Offer competitive commission splits, provide training and support, create career development opportunities, and foster a positive office culture.
Lead Generation: Maintain strong portal presence, invest in SEO and content marketing, develop developer partnerships, and leverage networking and referrals.
Market Fluctuations: Diversify across sales, rentals, and property management. Cover multiple areas and both commercial and residential properties. Build financial reserves for slower periods.
Dubai’s real estate market offers exceptional opportunities for qualified, professional brokers. The initial investment is substantial, but the potential returns are impressive. With proper licensing, regulatory compliance, and smart business execution, you can build a highly profitable real estate brokerage.
The key is getting started the right way. Complete your RERA certification, choose your office location strategically, invest in professional technology, build developer relationships, focus on customer service, maintain compliance, and hire quality agents.
Most importantly, remember that real estate in Dubai is fundamentally a relationship business. Your reputation, network, and service quality determine your long-term success more than any other factors.
The market is ready. The regulations are clear. The opportunity is real. Now it’s your turn to build something exceptional in one of the world’s most dynamic property markets.
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