In Abu Dhabi, anyone who wants to rent out a property on platforms like Airbnb must first obtain a Holiday Home license from the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT). The license only applies to entire, self-contained units such as apartments, villas, or townhouses, and renting out individual rooms or shared spaces is not allowed. Applicants typically need to provide proof of ownership or a valid tenancy contract, ID, and evidence that the unit meets DCT safety, amenity, and quality standards.
Once licensed, hosts must submit regular (usually monthly) occupancy and revenue reports and charge guests the applicable tourism fee on each stay, then remit that fee to DCT within the required timeframe. Under recently updated rules, from 1 January 2026, only licensed holiday homes will be allowed to appear on booking platforms, and unlicensed listings must be removed. Operating without a license or failing to comply with reporting, safety, or fee requirements can lead to substantial fines, which in serious cases can reach around AED 100,000 and may include suspension of the license or closure of the property.