Playing music in a cafe, hotel, gym or retail store in the UAE is about to become a more formal compliance issue.
The UAE is introducing annual licensing fees for businesses that use copyrighted music commercially. The new fee system is scheduled to apply from 1 December 2026. Restaurants, cafés, hotels, shopping malls, fitness centres, airlines, broadcasters and other commercial users are among the businesses covered. Licences will generally be valid for one year.
The change follows a major shift in the UAE's music-rights system. In 2025, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism licensed EMRA and Music Nation as the country's first two collective management organisations for music rights.
Key Takeaways
Commercial users of copyrighted music in the UAE will face annual licensing fees from 1 December 2026.
The rules cover businesses such as restaurants, cafés, hotels, retail outlets, malls, gyms, airlines, broadcasters and entertainment venues.
EMRA and Music Nation are the two Ministry-authorised collective management organisations for music rights.
Fees will vary based on factors such as business size and the way music is used. Live music and DJ performances are expected to attract higher charges than standard recorded background music.
Government entities, educational institutions and certain non-commercial events are among the announced exemptions.
A normal UAE trade licence does not automatically give your business permission to publicly perform copyrighted music.
In a 30-minute call we map your situation against jurisdiction, activity and cost — no commitment required.
What Is UAE Commercial Music Licensing?
Commercial music licensing gives a business permission to use copyrighted music in a commercial setting.
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyright and Neighboring Rights, a "public performance" includes playing musical works to the public, whether the communication is live or recorded. UAE copyright law also protects musical works and the rights of performers, producers and other rights holders.
The requirement can apply to different forms of copyrighted music played publicly in a commercial environment. This includes recorded background music, streaming playlists, radio and television audio, DJ performances and live bands. The licensing requirement depends on the rights involved and how the music is being used.
What Changed in the UAE Music Licensing System?
For years, the UAE had copyright laws protecting music but did not have the same local collective licensing infrastructure found in many established music markets.
That changed in 2025.
The Ministry granted EMRA the first collective management licence in April 2025. The organisation can manage music rights, collect royalties and distribute payments to creators and rights holders. Music Nation received the second collective management licence in June 2025.
Collective management lets authorised organisations license music for the repertoires they represent and collect royalties for rights holders. WIPO explains that CMOs help users clear rights that would be impractical to negotiate song by song.
Annual commercial music fees are due to take effect on 1 December 2026.
Which UAE Businesses Need a Commercial Music Licence?
The new framework is aimed at businesses that use copyrighted music commercially.
Business or Venue | Typical Music Use | Likely Licensing Relevance |
Restaurants and cafés | Background playlists, live singers, DJs | Covered |
Hotels and resorts | Lobby music, restaurants, pools, events | Covered |
Retail stores and malls | Background music and promotions | Covered |
Gyms and fitness centres | Workout playlists and classes | Covered |
Bars and entertainment venues | DJs, recorded music, live acts | Covered |
Airlines | In-flight or passenger-facing music | Covered |
Radio and TV broadcasters | Broadcasting copyrighted music | Covered |
Concert and event operators | Live or recorded music | Covered |
EMRA's licensing form also lists beauty salons, cinemas, hospitals, spas, supermarkets, department stores and theatres. If customers or guests can hear copyrighted music as part of your commercial operation, check whether you need a licence.
Businesses choosing a jurisdiction should also remember that music licensing and company jurisdiction are separate questions. Your choice between Dubai mainland and a free zone does not remove copyright obligations.
Who Is Exempt?
The announced framework includes exemptions for certain non-commercial uses. Current reports identify categories such as:
Government entities
Educational or academic institutions
Certain charity events
Cultural events
National events
Personal or non-commercial celebrations
If an event has sponsors, ticket revenue or a commercial promotion attached to it, confirm the exemption before using copyrighted music.
How Will UAE Music Licensing Fees Be Calculated?
The most important point right now is that there is no single flat fee for every business.
The approved framework uses factors such as:
Type of business
Size of the venue or establishment
Type of music used
Recorded background music versus live performance
DJ performances
Potentially the scale and frequency of use
Live music and DJ sets are expected to cost more than ordinary recorded background music. Licences are expected to run for one year and require renewal.
As of August 2026, reliable public reporting does not provide a complete official tariff table with confirmed AED prices for every business category. Avoid unofficial fee charts until an authorised CMO confirms your rate.
When budgeting for a new venue, include this cost alongside rent, trade licence and approvals. Nexture's guide to Dubai free zone company setup costs can help with broader setup budgeting.
Do Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube Subscriptions Cover Business Use?
A personal streaming subscription should not be treated as a commercial music licence.
YouTube's terms state that users may view or listen to content for personal, non-commercial use and restrict public screening or music streaming unless permitted. Business music providers also warn that consumer services such as Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music are not designed as business-use licences.
A personal subscription does not automatically clear the streaming service's business-use terms or the public-performance rights in the music. For a commercial venue, use a service designed for business use and confirm the UAE rights it actually covers.
We’ll model the requirements and send back a single-page breakdown within 24 hours.
EMRA and Music Nation: What Businesses Should Know
The two authorised organisations are:
Emirates Music Rights Association (EMRA)
EMRA is a UAE music-rights organisation recognised by the Ministry. Its licensing system accepts applications from hotels, restaurants, cafes, gyms, stores, broadcasters and several other business types.
Businesses can review its licensing information through the EMRA official website.
Music Nation
Music Nation is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism as a collective management organisation. Its business licensing platform is designed for commercial users of music.
You can find its licensing information on the Music Nation official website.
Before paying, confirm which rights and repertoire the licence covers. A song can involve separate rights in the composition and the sound recording.
How to Prepare Your Business Before 1 December 2026
You do not need to wait until the final week of November.
- Audit how your business uses music
List every location and music used. Include background playlists, TVs, DJs, live bands, events, gym classes and promotional activations.
- Check your existing agreements
Review contracts with music providers, DJs, event agencies and entertainment suppliers. Ask what rights they actually cover.
- Confirm your normal business activity
Music licensing does not replace your trade licence or activity approvals. If your company structure is still being planned, read Nexture's step-by-step Dubai business setup guide.
- Contact an Authorised CMO
Provide accurate information about venue type, size, number of locations and how often music is used. EMRA's current pre-application process asks about details such as music use, DJ frequency, show timings and existing rights agreements.
- Keep the Licence and Renewal Date on File
The new permits are annual. Add renewal dates to your compliance calendar and retain invoices, agreements and correspondence.
For multi-location businesses, keep the licences and renewal records in one compliance file.
Can You Be Penalised for Playing Copyrighted Music Without Permission?
UAE copyright infringement can carry serious penalties.
Article 39 of Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 provides for imprisonment of at least two months and/or a fine from AED 10,000 to AED 100,000 for certain infringements committed without written permission from the author or holder of neighbouring rights.
For repeat offences, the law provides for at least six months' imprisonment and a fine from AED 100,000 to AED 500,000. The exact consequence depends on the facts of the infringement and the applicable enforcement process.
Conclusion
UAE commercial music licensing is becoming a regular compliance item for businesses that use music as part of the customer experience. The new annual fee system starts on 1 December 2026, and restaurants, hotels, cafés, gyms, retailers, broadcasters and entertainment operators should review their music use before then.
Audit where music is played, check what your existing contracts cover and speak with an authorised rights-management organisation about the correct licence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do UAE commercial music licensing fees start?
The new annual fee regime is scheduled to apply from 1 December 2026.
Does a small cafe need a music licence?
If it commercially plays copyrighted music for customers, it is within the type of use covered by the new framework. The final fee should depend on factors including business size and music usage.
Will live music cost more than background music?
Current guidance says live performances and DJ sets will generally attract higher charges than recorded background music.
Can I use royalty-free music instead?
Possibly, but read the licence terms carefully. "Royalty-free" does not always mean free for every commercial use. Confirm that the provider gives you the rights required for public commercial playback in the UAE.
Do I need licences from both EMRA and Music Nation?
That depends on the rights, repertoire and licensing structure applicable to the music you use. Do not assume one payment covers every work in existence. Ask the authorised organisation to confirm its catalogue and the rights included in writing.
