RentalsUpdated March 1, 2026· 4 min read
Holiday Home Permit
What is Holiday Home Permit?
A Holiday Home permit is the license required by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to operate a residential property as a short-term rental on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. Every night booked is subject to the Tourism Dirham fee.
Definition
Holiday Home operators must register each unit with the DET, comply with quality standards, pay per-night Tourism Dirham fees and undergo periodic inspections. It is illegal to run short-term rentals in Dubai without this permit.
Key Facts
- 1Issued by DET (Department of Economy and Tourism).
- 2Applies to all short-term rentals in Dubai.
- 3Tourism Dirham fee applies per guest per night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any apartment be a holiday home?
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The unit's community and building must allow short-term rentals; check with the building management and DET before applying.
📚 Deep Dive — Related Guides
References & Further Reading
- Dubai Land Department (DLD) — official transaction & title records.
- Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) — Ejari, Mollak & rental index.
- Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) — Holiday Home permits.
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) — visa rules.
This entry is editorial and informational. It does not constitute legal, financial or tax advice.