From December 2026, restaurants, cafés, hotels, shopping malls, fitness centres and airlines across the UAE will face new licensing fees for the commercial use of music.
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism said the Collective Management Guide for Music will also cover floating hotels, radio and TV stations, concerts and other events where music use involves copyright and related rights.
Fees will vary depending on the type of music use and the size of the business, although specific amounts have not yet been announced.
Issued under Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026, the framework aims to standardise licensing and regulate the collection and distribution of music rights payments.
The Emirates Music Rights Association and Music Nation will collect the fees and manage related rights. Both organisations are authorised by the Ministry to carry out collective music rights management.
Licences will be valid for one year and renewable under the applicable rules.
