Abu Dhabi opens holiday home market to tenants under new rules

Abu Dhabi has recently broadened its rules to allow a wider range of property owners and entities to list their homes as holiday rentals. This update, introduced by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT) and announced at Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai, clarifies eligibility, licensing, and operational requirements for holiday home listings.

Individual owners, joint owners, legal entities, tenants, and individuals authorized by property owners can now operate holiday homes under the new guidelines. To comply with DCT regulations, holiday homes must be listed on digital platforms with a valid DCT Abu Dhabi licence number displayed on the property's listing page. This ensures transparency and helps maintain high standards of safety, quality, and guest experience.

The new regulations apply to holiday homes in approved development projects, commercial hubs, agricultural land, or licensed residential or investment plots. Each unit can accommodate a maximum of three guests, and living rooms, lounges, and hallways cannot be converted into bedrooms. Subdividing units for rental purposes is prohibited, although farms may be exempt under specific conditions.

Owners must provide various documents during registration, including personal details, property deeds, insurance certificates, lease contracts, and identification. Operators may need additional documents such as company licences and owners' identification. Properties must be rented out in their entirety, and partial room rentals are not permitted.

Upon registration, users must specify their account type—homeowner or operator—and provide a Department of Economic Development license, a requirement for legally operating a business in Abu Dhabi. DCT Abu Dhabi charges registration and annual licensing fees, which vary based on the number of units, property type, and whether the operator is an individual or a company.

Once approved, holiday homes can begin accepting bookings. These regulations aim to capitalize on the growing demand for holiday rentals while ensuring a consistent quality of service and supporting the broader objectives of Tourism Strategy 2030.