Can you Airbnb your apartment in Dubai?
Yes, if the home holds a holiday home permit and the building allows short stays. Here is what that means for owners and tenants.
The short answer
You can list a Dubai apartment or villa on Airbnb when it is registered as a holiday home with the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DTCM) and its building permits short stays. Airbnb asks for the permit on Dubai listings. Check current requirements on the DET website, since they change.
Owners
You can register the home yourself or let a licensed holiday home company register it under its operator licence and run it. Most owners choose a company because the daily work starts after the permit: guests, cleaning, registration of every guest, and repairs.
Tenants
A tenant needs the landlord's written permission, a holiday home permit and a building that allows it. Without all three, short-term subletting is not allowed.
Before you list
- Confirm the building allows holiday homes.
- Register the permit, or use a licensed company.
- Furnish to a guest standard and get professional photos.
- Set up guest registration, cleaning and support.
Our pick
Let fäm Living handle the permit and the guests
fäm Living lists and runs Dubai apartments and villas on Airbnb, Booking.com and direct, as licensed holiday homes. Its own team handles check-in, cleaning and maintenance, and owners see every booking in the owner portal. Part of the fäm Properties group.
Talk to fäm Living- Holiday home permit handled
- Listing, photos and pricing
- Guest screening and in-person check-in
- Cleaning, linen and maintenance
Questions
Airbnb rules in Dubai: common questions
Do I need a permit to Airbnb my apartment in Dubai?
Yes. Every home let by the night must be registered as a holiday home with the Department of Economy and Tourism. A licensed management company can register it for you under its operator licence.
Can tenants Airbnb a rented apartment in Dubai?
Only with the landlord's written permission and a holiday home permit, and only where the building allows it. Without both, subletting short term is not allowed.
Do guests have to be registered?
Yes. Holiday home guests are registered from their ID, the way hotels register guests. Licensed operators do this as part of check-in.
Are there building rules?
Some towers restrict short stays in their own rules. Check with the building management before you furnish or list.