Real Estate Consultancies
Mainland License — Compare Across 4 UAE Emirates
Cheapest from
AED 2,500
Abu Dhabi
4 emirates available
Government Fee Comparison
ADDED — Per-activity fee
AED 2,500
DED fee: AED 2500
DET — Base + 5% of rent
Approvals: Consultancy -D- management, information and marketing
Base AED 8,000 + 5% rent
AED 9,500
30K rent
AED 10,500
50K rent
AED 12,000
80K rent
Quote required
Fees calculated per-license based on license type, legal form, and activities. C
RAK DED — Category-based
AED 400–10,000
RAK uses 5 fee categories (AED 400-10,000). Exact category depends on activity.
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About This Activity
Includes providing sound advice to potential buyers as well as developing strategies to achieve their goals and objectives, it involves showing properties, analyzing sales statistics, sourcing appraisers, referring mortgage service providers, contractors and renovation providers, examining contracts before making offers, closing and escrow expertise.
Our Analysis
Abu Dhabi charges AED 2,500 for a real estate consultancy license. Dubai's formula puts you north of AED 8,000 before rent. RAK offers category-based pricing that could land anywhere from AED 400 to AED 10,000 depending on your classification.
Real estate consultancy covers market studies, property valuations, investment advisory, and feasibility reports. It's the thinking side of the property business — no RERA broker card needed, but credibility matters. Sharjah lists the activity and allows foreign ownership, though fees come on direct application to SEDD.
The Abu Dhabi market is interesting for consultancies. The capital's AED 1.5 trillion real estate pipeline — Saadiyat, Yas Island, Reem — generates demand for independent advisory that isn't tied to developer sales teams. Dubai's market is larger but saturated with consultancies chasing the same developer briefs.
The downside of Abu Dhabi: smaller transaction volume and fewer international clients flying in for property tours. Dubai remains the default for investor-facing consultancy work.
100% foreign ownership across all four emirates. No local sponsor since 2021. Professional liability insurance is a practical requirement even if not legally mandated in every emirate.
Our pick: Abu Dhabi at AED 2,500 for government-adjacent advisory work. Dubai if your clients are international investors. RAK only if you're advising on Northern Emirates developments.
For free zone property management options, check FreeZoneCompare.com.
Prices from official government portals, verified May 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Real Estate Consultancies license cost in Abu Dhabi?
The government DED fee for a Real Estate Consultancies license in Abu Dhabi is AED 2,500. This is the cheapest among the 4 emirates where this activity is available. Additional costs may include office rent, visa fees, and external approval charges.
Which UAE emirate is cheapest for a Real Estate Consultancies license?
Abu Dhabi offers the lowest government fee at AED 2,500. However, total setup costs also depend on office rent, visa requirements, and any external approvals needed for this activity.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Real Estate Consultancies business in the UAE?
Yes. Since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms, most mainland business activities — including Real Estate Consultancies — allow 100% foreign ownership across all UAE emirates. A local sponsor or service agent is no longer required for most activities.
What approvals are needed for a Real Estate Consultancies license?
Beyond the DED license, you may need approval from: Consultancy -D- management, information and marketing (Dubai), Real Estate Registration Directorate (Sharjah). Requirements vary by emirate and specific business scope.
How much does a Real Estate Consultancies license cost in Dubai?
Dubai uses a formula-based fee: approximately AED 8,000 base fee plus 5% of your annual office rent. For example, with AED 50,000 annual rent, expect roughly AED 10,500 in government fees. Dubai also offers an Instant License at AED 8,000 flat (virtual location) and budget SME/Intelaq licenses at AED 1,070.
Is Real Estate Consultancies available as a mainland license in all UAE emirates?
Real Estate Consultancies is available for mainland licensing in 4 emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, RAK. Each emirate has its own DED with independent fee structures and requirements. Use MainlandCompare.com to compare fees across all available emirates.
What type of license is Real Estate Consultancies in the UAE?
Real Estate Consultancies falls under the Professional license category in the UAE. Professional licenses cover consultancy, services, and skilled trades.
Is it cheaper to get a Real Estate Consultancies license in Abu Dhabi or Dubai?
Abu Dhabi is significantly cheaper at AED 2,500 versus Dubai's estimated AED 10,500 (at AED 50,000 rent). However, Dubai offers a larger market with 3.6 million residents and 16 million annual tourists.
How long does it take to get a Real Estate Consultancies mainland license?
Setup time varies by emirate: Dubai offers same-day approval with the Instant License (AED 8,000), or 1-3 working days for a Normal License. Abu Dhabi takes 2-5 working days. Sharjah and Ajman take 1-5 working days. Additional time may be needed for external approvals.
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