Renting an Office in Dubai
The office rule for mainland companies
Every business in the UAE must have a physical address. To register a mainland company you provide an office or warehouse rental agreement; in Dubai the lease must be registered with Ejari and attested by RERA, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency.1
- A commercial lease cannot be registered in Ejari by an individual. It must be issued in the name of a company with a valid licence.
- Residential units cannot be used as commercial offices.
- Ejari costs AED 177.75 online or AED 220 at a real estate services trustee centre.
Source: Dubai Land Department: Frequently asked questions; Dubai Land Department: Register or renew a tenancy contract (Ejari)2,3
Dubai offers eight licence types, including commercial, professional, industrial and instant licences. The Intelaq home-business licence and the SME licence are open only to UAE and GCC nationals, so foreign investors should plan for a real office.1,9
Business centres
A business centre lets several licensed companies lease small units in one office floor, each with its own Ejari contract. The Dubai Land Department sets conditions for the operator:2
- A commercial lease of at least 5,000 sq ft for at least 5 years.
- Each unit of at least 100 sq ft.
- No more than one contract per unit in 365 days.
- Dubai Municipality approval and a physical survey of the premises.
Source: Dubai Land Department: Frequently asked questions2
Ask the operator for the Ejari number of your unit before you pay. A desk without its own Ejari contract will not support a mainland licence.
The office market in H1 2026
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Office sales | AED 15.8 billion across about 2,600 deals, 65% off-plan |
| Average sale price | AED 2,012 per sq ft, up 15% |
| Average rent | AED 189 per sq ft a year, up 14% |
| Biggest rent rises | Downtown Dubai 17.5%, Barsha Heights 17.2%, DIFC 17.1% |
| Most sales | Business Bay 814 deals, Al Sufouh 1 498, JLT 333 |
Source: Cavendish Maxwell via Zawya: Dubai office sales reach AED 15.8 billion in H1 20264
CBRE reports Dubai office rents up 13% a year to Q2 2026, with prime rents up 16% and occupancy at about 94%.5
New supply
| Year | New office space due |
|---|---|
| Rest of 2026 | About 150,000 sq m |
| 2027 | About 379,000 sq m |
| 2028 | About 718,000 sq m |
Source: Cavendish Maxwell via Zawya: Dubai office sales reach AED 15.8 billion in H1 20264
Stock stood at 9.46 million sq m in H1 2026 and is expected to reach about 10.7 million sq m once this pipeline is delivered. Cavendish Maxwell expects supply to stay constrained through 2026, so tenants should start their search early.4
Costs on top of the rent
| Item | What applies |
|---|---|
| VAT | 5% on commercial leases; businesses must register once taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000 |
| Ejari | AED 177.75 online, AED 220 at a trustee centre |
| Rent on renewal | Increases are limited by the RERA rental index under Decree 43 of 2013 |
Source: Federal Tax Authority: VAT FAQ on real estate; Dubai Land Department: Register or renew a tenancy contract (Ejari); Dubai Legislation: Decree No. 43 of 2013 Determining Rent Increase for Real Property7,3,6
Free zone companies on the mainland
A Dubai free zone company can trade on the mainland with a Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism, which costs AED 5,000 for six months and can be renewed. Revenue earned on the mainland is taxed at the 9% corporate tax rate.8
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an office to get a Dubai mainland licence?
Yes. Every business needs a physical address, and in Dubai the office lease must be registered with Ejari. Residential units cannot be used as offices.
How much is office rent in Dubai?
AED 189 per sq ft a year on average in H1 2026, up 14% on a year earlier, according to Cavendish Maxwell.
Sources
- UAE Government Portal: Steps to start a business on the mainland
- Dubai Land Department: Frequently asked questions
- Dubai Land Department: Register or renew a tenancy contract (Ejari)
- Cavendish Maxwell via Zawya: Dubai office sales reach AED 15.8 billion in H1 2026
- CBRE: UAE Real Estate Market Review Q2 2026
- Dubai Legislation: Decree No. 43 of 2013 Determining Rent Increase for Real Property
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT FAQ on real estate
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism: Free zone companies can operate on the mainland
- Invest in Dubai: Intelaq and SME licences
Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.