Music licensing fees mandatory for UAE businesses from December 2026

If your business plays music, whether it’s a playlist in a café, background music in a retail store, a DJ in a restaurant, or music in a hotel lobby, a major change is on the horizon. From 1 December 2026, businesses across the UAE that use copyrighted music commercially may be required to obtain a licence and pay annual music licensing fees under the UAE’s new collective management framework. The new regime introduces fees ranging from approximately AED 1,500 to AED 50,000 per year, depending on the type and size of the business. This is one of the most significant developments in the UAE’s copyright landscape in recent years and is expected to have a direct impact on businesses operating across the hospitality, retail, leisure and entertainment sectors.