Think of the music in a Dubai mall, a hotel lobby or your gym. Soon, businesses that play music commercially in the UAE will need to follow new licensing rules.
But before you assume music is about to disappear from malls, hotels, restaurants and gyms across the country, that’s not quite what is happening.
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism is preparing to introduce a new licensing framework for businesses and organisations that use music publicly for commercial purposes. Fee collection should begin in December 2026. Establishments that want to keep using licensed music may then need the right licence and must pay the fees.
The move is part of a wider effort to strengthen copyright protection, standardise music licensing and support the UAE’s growing creative and cultural industries.
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Why Is the UAE Introducing Music Licensing Fees?
The new framework is designed to address the commercial use of copyrighted music and related rights.
Music played in a public or commercial setting is different from listening to a personal playlist at home. When businesses use music as part of the customer experience, entertainment offering or commercial activity, rights holders may be entitled to compensation.
The UAE’s upcoming Collective Management in Music Guide aims to create a more consistent system for managing these rights and collecting licensing fees.
According to the Ministry, the reforms are also intended to strengthen the competitiveness of the UAE’s music sector and contribute to the country’s wider economic diversification efforts.
Which Businesses Could Be Affected?
The licensing requirements are expected to cover a wide range of commercial and entertainment environments where music is used publicly.
These include:
- Shopping malls
- Hotels and resorts
- Restaurants and cafés
- Fitness centres and gyms
- Airlines
- Television channels
- Radio stations
- Concerts and other events
- Other commercial venues that use music
This means that music played as part of the atmosphere or entertainment at a business could fall within the scope of the new licensing system.
However, the exact fee will not necessarily be the same for every business.
Will Music Be Banned in UAE Malls, Hotels and Gyms?
No! The upcoming policy does not mean that music itself will be banned from public venues.
Instead, businesses using music commercially are expected to obtain the appropriate licence and pay the applicable fee. In simple terms, a mall, hotel, restaurant or gym that wants to continue using licensed music can do so by complying with the new requirements.
Some businesses may rethink how they use music because of the extra licensing cost. Still, there is no sign that the UAE plans to remove music from public spaces altogether. The headline-grabbing possibility is therefore less about a ban and more about a new system that could change how businesses legally use and pay for music.
How Much Will the New Music Licence Cost?
The UAE has not announced one universal price that every business will pay. Under the planned framework, licensing fees will be determined according to factors including the nature and size of the business.
This means a large entertainment venue, hotel or commercial operation may not necessarily pay the same amount as a smaller café or business. Licences will be valid for one year and will be renewable. More specific pricing and licensing requirements will become important for businesses as implementation approaches.
Who Will Collect the Music Licensing Fees?
The new system will involve designated organisations responsible for collecting fees and managing associated rights. The Emirates Music Rights Association and Music Nation are expected to play a role in collecting licensing fees and administering the relevant rights.
The system is intended to provide a more structured approach to ensuring that artists, composers, performers and other rights holders can benefit when their work is used commercially.
A New Fund Will Support UAE Musicians
One of the more interesting parts of the reform is that the money generated through music licensing will not simply disappear into the wider system.
The Ministry is also establishing the Cultural Support Fund in the Field of Music, aimed at supporting aspiring musicians and the wider music ecosystem in the UAE. The fund will receive 10 per cent of the fees generated through the new licensing system.
Financial support can help artists with areas such as:
- Music production
- Composition
- Distribution
- Other costs associated with developing and promoting music
For the UAE’s growing creative economy, this could become an important source of support for emerging local talent.
What Happens If a Business Doesn’t Follow the Rules?
The UAE has also strengthened its Copyright and Neighbouring Rights framework. The updated legislation provides for greater oversight, including field inspections and reviews of relevant financial and technical records.
This gives authorities and rights holders stronger mechanisms to identify potential copyright violations and address businesses or organisations that do not comply with the applicable requirements. The Ministry may also amend licence terms when required for regulatory purposes or in the public interest, with licence holders expected to comply with such changes.
Who Won’t Have to Pay the New Fees?
Not every use of music will fall under the commercial licensing system. According to the announced framework, government entities, national events and personal non-commercial celebrations will not be subject to the fees.
The key distinction is therefore whether music is being used commercially and whether copyright or related rights are involved. For businesses, the new rules are particularly relevant because music can form part of the customer experience and commercial offering.
What Does This Mean for UAE Residents and Tourists?
For most residents and tourists, the immediate impact is likely to be minimal. You should not expect music to suddenly disappear from your favourite Dubai mall, hotel, restaurant or gym when the new system takes effect.
Instead, the change will largely sit behind the scenes, with businesses responsible for making sure their use of music complies with the licensing framework. However, businesses may review the music they use, their licensing arrangements and the costs associated with playing music publicly.
For customers, the big question is whether venues keep offering the same music and entertainment. So far, there is no sign that the UAE intends to remove them.
Why This Matters for the UAE’s Creative Economy
The new licensing system is about more than collecting fees. The UAE has been investing heavily in tourism, entertainment, media and the wider creative economy. Music is an increasingly important part of that ecosystem, from concerts and festivals to hospitality, retail and digital entertainment.
A more organised copyright and licensing system could give artists and rights holders greater protection while providing businesses with clearer rules around commercial music use.
The creation of a dedicated cultural fund could also help strengthen the local music industry by giving emerging artists access to financial support for production, composition and distribution.
What Businesses Should Know Before December 2026
Businesses that regularly play music for customers may want to start reviewing their current arrangements ahead of the expected December 2026 fee collection date.
That could include checking:
- What music is being played publicly
- Whether existing licences or permissions are already in place
- Which rights apply to the music being used
- Whether the business falls under the upcoming licensing framework
- What fees may apply based on the nature and size of the establishment
The exact requirements and costs will be important to watch as the UAE moves closer to implementation.
So, Is Music Really Disappearing From UAE Venues?
Not exactly!
The UAE is not introducing a blanket ban on music in malls, hotels, gyms, restaurants or other public venues. Instead, it is moving towards a formal licensing system for commercial use of music. From December 2026, businesses covered by the framework are expected to pay licensing fees if they want to continue using music commercially.
For customers, that could mean little noticeable change. For businesses and music rights holders, however, it represents a significant shift towards a more structured system of copyright protection and commercial music licensing. And with part of the licensing revenue set to support musicians through a new cultural fund, the policy could ultimately help strengthen the UAE’s growing music and creative industries.
Pro Tip: If you run a venue that plays music, review what you play publicly. Then check whether you already hold licences or permissions before fee collection starts in December 2026.
FAQs
Will music be banned in UAE malls and hotels?
No. Businesses that play music commercially will need the appropriate licence and pay the applicable fee, but music itself is not being banned.
When will UAE music licensing fees start?
Fee collection is expected to begin in December 2026.
How much will a music licence cost in the UAE?
There is no single price. Fees will depend on factors including the nature and size of the business, and licences will be valid for one year and renewable.
Who is exempt from the UAE music licensing fees?
Government entities, national events and personal non-commercial celebrations will not be subject to the fees.
Who will collect the music licensing fees?
The Emirates Music Rights Association and Music Nation are expected to collect fees and administer the relevant rights. Ten per cent of the fees will go to a new Cultural Support Fund for musicians.
