UAE introduces new music licensing fees: What restaurants, hotels and malls need to know
Dubai: Restaurants, cafés, hotels, shopping malls, fitness centres and airlines across the UAE will come under a new music licensing fee framework from December 2026, following the launch of rules governing the commercial use of music. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism said on Tuesday that the Collective Management Guide for Music…
Restaurants, cafés, hotels, shopping malls, fitness centres, airlines and other businesses across the United Arab Emirates will face new music licensing fees starting in December 2026. The Collective Management Guide for Music, established by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, will cover commercial use of music in various establishments and events.
The fee structure will depend on the type of music use and the size of the business. However, the ministry did not disclose specific fee amounts. The Emirates Music Rights Association and Music Nation will be responsible for collecting fees and managing rights.
Certain categories, such as educational institutions, government entities, music used for national occasions, and non-commercial personal events, will be exempt from the fees. The ministry may further expand the exemption list through future decisions.
Additionally, 10% of the collected funds will go towards a Cultural Support Fund for Music, which will offer financial, technical and artistic assistance to music creators, promoting talent development and industry growth. This fund will be overseen by the ministry and managed by a joint committee of representatives from the ministry and the ministry of culture.
The framework aims to create a standardized licensing system, ensuring fair and transparent distribution of music rights and supporting the growth of the UAE's music and creative industries.
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