Real estate brokerage in Dubai is a licensed and regulated profession. The emirate's property market transacts billions of dollars annually, and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency has established a clear framework governing who can legally act as a broker, what training is required, and how businesses must be structured to operate in the sector. For professionals building a real estate brokerage business, understanding the difference between the RERA broker card, the company license, and the operational requirements is essential before you start. This guide covers what you need, what it costs, and how to structure your brokerage at Dubai South. 

What Does a Real Estate Brokerage License Cover? 

A real estate brokerage license covers the buying and selling of real estate on behalf of clients, property leasing and rental services, real estate consultancy, property valuation advisory, and related property management services. The license permits your business to act as an intermediary in UAE property transactions. For related financial and consultancy services that often accompany real estate businesses, the financial services hub and consultancy hub pages provide useful context. 

Real Estate Broker License Requirements in Dubai 

A real estate broker license in Dubai involves both a company license from your chosen jurisdiction and individual certification from RERA. The key requirements are: 

• RERA broker card, each individual practising as a broker must hold a valid RERA-issued broker card, obtained by completing the Certified Training for Real Estate Brokers course 

• Dubai REST registration, your brokerage must be registered on the Dubai Real Estate Self-Transaction platform 

• RERA-approved company, the brokerage company must be registered and approved with RERA 

• Standard free zone documents: passport copy, proof of address, proposed company name 

Individual RERA broker cards are issued per person, not per company. Every licensed broker working within your firm must hold their own card. 

Relevant Real Estate Brokerage Business Activity Codes 

Activity codes for real estate brokerage businesses at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone:

• 6810.99, Buying and Selling of Real Estate 

• 6820.93, Real Estate Consultancies 

• 6820.94, Real Estate Valuation Services 

• 6820.99, Jointly Owned Property Management Services 

• 702001, Real Estate Buying and Selling Brokerage 

Browse all real estate activity codes on the business activities page. 

Cost of a Real Estate Broker License in Dubai 

The free zone trade license at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone starts from AED 12,500 per year. RERA course and broker card fees are additional costs charged by RERA directly and are typically in the range of AED 3,000 to AED 5,000 per broker. Use the cost calculator to generate an itemised estimate for your company license, visa costs, and any selected add-on services. 

Setting Up Your Real Estate Brokerage 

Begin by confirming your company name on the name check tool. Once your free zone license is issued, you can proceed with RERA company registration and your individual broker card application. The digital free zone process for the license itself takes one business day. With your license in place, your brokerage operates with 100% foreign ownership, zero personal income tax, and full profit repatriation, with no UAE national sponsor required. For a detailed guide on the RERA licensing process specifically, the RERA guide covers the certification steps in full. 

Operating a Real Estate Brokerage from Dubai South 

Dubai South's own master-planned development within Dubai South is one of the emirate's most significant residential and commercial projects. Brokers based at Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone are well positioned to work across the Dubai South residential community, Al Maktoum area developments, and the broader Dubai south corridor, which is seeing sustained off-plan investment activity as the airport expansion and Expo Legacy projects continue to drive demand.