Dubai Food Trade Licence: Steps and Costs to Plan For
How to get a food trade licence in Dubai: choosing the right activity, mainland vs free zone, approvals from DET and Dubai Municipality, and the costs.
Key takeaways
- Pick the exact business activity first: restaurant, café, catering and cloud kitchen are licensed differently.
- Most public-facing food businesses need a mainland licence from Dubai Economy and Tourism.
- Budget for licence fees, approvals, tenancy registration, fit-out and visas, not just the licence.
On this page
Every food business in Dubai needs the right licence before it can trade. Getting the activity and structure right from the start saves months of delays. This guide covers the process and the costs to plan for; for the full restaurant journey, see how to open a restaurant in Dubai.
Step 1: Choose the right activity
Your licence lists specific activities. Common food activities include:
- Restaurant or café
- Catering services
- Cloud kitchen (delivery-only); see opening a cloud kitchen
- Food trading (buying and selling packaged food)
- Bakery or sweets manufacturing
Choosing the wrong activity can mean re-applying later, so check with DET or an adviser.
Step 2: Mainland or free zone?
- Mainland (DET): lets you trade directly with the public across Dubai, which is essential for most restaurants and cafés.
- Free zone: suits some trading, manufacturing or corporate food businesses, but trading with the public outside the zone is usually restricted.
Step 3: Initial approval and trade name
Reserve a trade name and obtain initial approval for your activity and legal form.
Step 4: Location and tenancy
Secure a unit suitable for your activity, and register your tenancy contract (Ejari). The location must meet food-use requirements.
Step 5: Technical approvals
Food businesses typically need approvals from Dubai Municipality for food safety and design, and from Dubai Civil Defence for fire safety. See our guide to Dubai Municipality food safety rules.
Step 6: Issue the licence
Once approvals are complete and fees paid, the trade licence is issued. Keep renewals on your calendar.
Costs to plan for
| Cost category | Notes |
|---|---|
| Trade licence and registration fees | Vary by activity and structure |
| Approvals and inspections | Municipality and Civil Defence |
| Tenancy and deposits | Often the largest upfront cost |
| Fit-out and equipment | Kitchen, extraction, fire systems |
| Visas and establishment card | Per employee |
| Professional fees | Setup advisers, designers, contractors |
Get written quotes and build a contingency.
Starting smaller? See our guides to home-based food businesses in the UAE and food truck permits in Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a food licence in Dubai?
The licence itself can be quick; approvals and fit-out usually take longer. Plan for several months end to end.
Can I run a food business from home in Dubai?
Home-based food businesses have specific rules and permits. Check current options with DET and Dubai Municipality.
Do I need halal certification?
Food sold in the UAE must meet halal requirements; see our guide to halal certification.
Sources
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