UAE Introduces Music Licensing Fees For Commercial Use

From 1 December 2026, businesses in the UAE that play music commercially will be required to obtain an annual music licence under Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026 and the Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s new Collective Management in Music Guide.

The initiative represents an important development in the UAE’s copyright framework. Copyright grants creators and other rights holders exclusive rights over certain uses of their musical works and sound recordings, including their performance or communication to the public.

Playing protected music in a commercial setting may therefore require separate permission from the relevant copyright holders. The new framework covers restaurants, cafés, hotels and floating hotels, shopping centres, gyms, airlines, radio and television broadcasters, concerts, and similar events. Licensing fees will vary according to the type and size of the business and how the music is used, with live performances generally attracting higher fees than