The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has announced a new tariff schedule for annual music licensing fees applicable to restaurants, cafes, shops, and other establishments starting December 1, 2026.

Under the new regulations, restaurants and cafes will pay fees based on seating capacity. Venues with up to 50 seats will incur a charge of Dh1,500 annually, increasing to Dh2,700 for 51 to 100 seats, and Dh4,800 for 101 to 200 seats. Establishments with more than 201 seats will be charged an additional Dh20 per seat, with a maximum annual fee capped at Dh6,000.

Restaurants and cafes featuring DJs or operating as entertainment or night clubs face higher fees: Dh2,500 for up to 50 seats, Dh3,500 for 51 to 100 seats, and Dh6,500 for 101 to 200 seats. Additional seats beyond 201 attract Dh20 each, with an overall cap of Dh8,000 per year.

For shops and commercial complexes that play copyrighted music, fees are based on floor area rather than seating. Establishments up to 300 square metres will pay Dh1,700 annually, rising to Dh3,400 for spaces between 301 and 700 square metres. Beyond 700 square metres, an extra Dh60 is charged for every additional 25 square metres, with a ceiling of Dh20,000 per year.

Large shopping malls are charged on common area size, paying Dh625 for the first 100 square metres and Dh50 for every additional 25 square metres, capped at Dh50,000 annually.

The tariff schedule also covers other sectors. Fitness centres will pay Dh1,700 for up to 300 square metres plus Dh5 per additional square metre, capped at Dh6,000 yearly. Hotels and floating hotels are charged per room according to star rating, ranging from Dh50 per room for one- and two-star hotels to Dh150 per room for four- and five-star properties, with a maximum annual fee of Dh25,000.

Broadcast media fees vary by content type: radio stations pay between 1 and 3 percent of annual income depending on music content, while television channels pay between 0.25 and 1 percent, both subject to a minimum Dh1,700 fee. Premium airlines offering in-flight entertainment will pay fees based on passenger seat numbers, capped at Dh45,000 annually.

This fee structure is part of a broader regulatory framework established by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism to oversee collective management organisations (CMOs) responsible for managing rights and royalties for composers, performers, producers, and publishers.

Licensed CMOs must obtain a one-year renewable permit from the ministry and are prohibited from changing approved fees without prior authorization. Exemptions apply to government entities, educational and academic institutions, national occasions, and non-commercial personal celebrations.

The framework also introduces a Cultural Fund, funded by 10 percent of collected royalties before distribution to CMO members. This fund, managed by a committee including the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and independent experts, aims to support musicians financially and artistically and promote Emirati music regionally and internationally.

The ministry maintains supervisory authority, including conducting inspections, reviewing CMO finances, handling complaints, and enforcing compliance through penalties or permit revocations.