Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE
Restaurants, cafés, hotels, gyms, malls, airlines and other businesses in the UAE that use copyrighted music commercially will be required to obtain an annual licence and pay royalties from December 1, 2026.
The new system is part of the UAE’s Collective Management in Music Guide, issued by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism to establish a standard framework for licensing copyrighted music and distributing royalties to rights holders.
The system is based on the UAE’s Federal Decree Law on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights, which provides for the collective administration of copyright and neighbouring rights by authorised organisations.
The move builds on the UAE’s existing copyright framework, which aims to protect creators and their intellectual and creative works while regulating the administration and use of copyrighted material.
The Emirates Music Rights Association (EMRA) and Music Nation, have been authorised to administer music rights. They will issue licences, collect fees and distribute royalties to the composers, songwriters, performers, producers, publishers and other rights holders they represent.
The licences will be valid for one year and can be renewed.
The new tariff means the cost will vary depending on the type and size of the establishment, with annual fees ranging from Dh1,500 for some small restaurants and cafés to as much as Dh50,000 for large shopping malls.
Who needs a music licence in UAE?
The new rules cover commercial use of copyrighted music in public places and platforms, including:
• Restaurants and cafés
• Hotels and floating hotels
• Shops and commercial complexes
• Shopping malls
• Gyms and fitness centres
• Radio stations
• Television channels
• Airlines with premium in-flight entertainment
• Concerts and similar events
The fees are intended to cover the commercial use of copyrighted music, including recorded music and entertainment such as live music and DJ performances. The tariff varies according to factors such as seating capacity, floor area, number of hotel rooms and, for broadcasters, annual income.
How much will the new music licence cost?
The guide sets out the following annual tariffs.
Restaurants and cafés
• 1-50 seats: Dh1,500
• 51-100 seats: Dh2,700
• 101-200 seats: Dh4,800
• 201 seats or more: Dh20 for each additional seat
• Maximum annual fee: Dh6,000
Restaurants and venues with DJs or similar entertainment
• 1-50 seats: Dh2,500
• 51-100 seats: Dh3,500
• 101-200 seats: Dh6,500
• 201 seats or more: Dh20 for each additional seat
• Maximum annual fee: Dh8,000
Shops and commercial complexes
• Up to 300 square metres: Dh1,700
• 301-700 square metres: Dh3,400
• More than 700 square metres: Additional Dh60 for every 25 square metres
• Maximum annual fee: Dh20,000
Large shopping malls
• First 100 square metres: Dh625
• Additional space: Dh50 for every additional 25 square metres
• Maximum annual fee: Dh50,000
Gyms and fitness centres
• Up to 300 square metres: Dh1,700
• 301 square metres or more: Additional Dh5 per square metre
• Maximum annual fee: Dh6,000
One- and two-star hotels
• 1-50 rooms: Dh50 per room
• 51-100 rooms: Dh5,000
• 101 rooms or more: Dh8,000
Three-star hotels
• 1-50 rooms: Dh120 per room
• 51-100 rooms: Dh12,000
• 101 rooms or more: Dh18,000
Four- and five-star hotels
• 1-50 rooms: Dh150 per room
• 51-100 rooms: Dh15,000
• 101-200 rooms: Dh18,000
• 201 rooms or more: Dh25,000
Radio stations
• General programming station: 1 per cent of annual income
• Music and song channel: 3 per cent of annual income
• Minimum annual fee: Dh1,700
Television channels
• General programming channel: 1 per cent of annual income
• News channel: 0.25 per cent of annual income
• Minimum annual fee: Dh1,700
Airlines with premium in-flight entertainment
• 1-50 seats: Dh5,000
• 51-300 seats: Dh10,000
• 301-500 seats: Dh30,000
• 501 seats or more: Additional Dh75 per seat
• Maximum annual fee: Dh45,000
The ministry said the tariff matrix will be reviewed periodically based on relevant inputs and developments.
What happens to the money collected?
The new system is not simply a licensing mechanism. It is also designed to create a structured system for collecting and distributing royalties to music creators and rights holders.
Ten per cent of the fees collected will go towards a Cultural Support Fund for Music, overseen by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the Ministry of Culture. The fund will support music creation, production, distribution and live performances, as well as emerging talent, training and the international promotion of Emirati music.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said the guide would strengthen the UAE’s system for managing copyright and neighbouring rights. “The Ministry’s launch of the ‘Collective Management in Music Guide’ is an important step in developing an integrated governance framework for copyright and neighbouring rights in the UAE, enhancing the efficiency of rights management in line with international best practices, strengthening the principles of transparency and fairness in their distribution, and improving the regulation of the music sector,” he said.
He added that the initiative supports the development of the country’s creative economy and its intellectual property protection framework.
The UAE has previously described its collective music rights system as a framework covering the music value chain, including composition, songwriting, performance, production and publishing.
Who is exempt?
The paid licensing requirement applies to commercial use of copyrighted music.
Non-commercial settings, including government entities, schools and charity events, are not required to obtain a paid licence under the guide.
The new system therefore means businesses using music as part of their commercial operations should review their requirements before the December 1, 2026 implementation date. CAM/ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page
+ There are no comments
Add yours