Home-Based Business Licence in the UAE: Tajer (Abu Dhabi) and Home Licence Options
7 min readUpdated 2026-10-26Editorial policyHow we verify
Quick answer
You can run some home-based businesses legally in the UAE under emirate programmes: Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism offers home-business licensing for eligible activities, and Abu Dhabi offers the Tajer licence through ADDED. Eligibility, nationality rules and permitted activities differ by emirate, and food activities need municipality approval. A free zone licence is an alternative.
Running a home based business Dubai founders often ask whether a separate office is mandatory. Several emirates offer home-business routes, but rules differ by emirate, nationality and activity. This guide compares them.
Quick answer: Check your emirate's programme first (Dubai DET home business licensing, Abu Dhabi Tajer), confirm your activity is permitted from home, then compare a low-overhead free zone licence.
Dubai home business licensing
Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism provides licensing routes for eligible home-based activities. Conditions can include residency, tenancy or landlord consent and limits on staff and customer visits. Confirm current eligibility directly.
Abu Dhabi Tajer licence
Abu Dhabi's Department of Economic Development (ADDED) offers the Tajer licence for home-based and small businesses with limited premises needs. Activities and eligibility are set by ADDED. For other Abu Dhabi options see business setup in Abu Dhabi.
Home licence vs free zone vs instant licence
| Option | Address | Visa | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirate home licence | Your home | Limited or none | Crafts, baking, design |
| Free zone desk licence | Flexi-desk | Package quota | Consultants, e-commerce |
| Instant licence | Varies | Varies | Fast mainland start |
Compare mainland options on our commercial licence page.
Activities commonly run from home
- Handmade crafts and art.
- Tailoring and design.
- Photography and content creation.
- Home baking and food (with municipality approval).
- Online tutoring.
Restrictions to check
- Landlord or community consent.
- Limits on visitors, signage and staff.
- Food safety approvals for any food activity.
- Whether you can sponsor visas.
Before you apply
Validate demand first — see how to validate a business idea in the UAE and our list of small business ideas in UAE.
Next step
Confirm your emirate's rules, then compare low-cost packages if a free zone suits you better.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I legally run a business from home in Dubai?
- Yes, for eligible activities under Dubai DET home-business licensing, subject to conditions. Confirm eligibility with DET.
- What is the Tajer licence?
- Tajer is an Abu Dhabi licence issued through ADDED for home-based and small businesses with limited premises needs.
- Can expatriates get a home business licence?
- Eligibility differs by emirate and programme. Check the current nationality and residency conditions with the economic department.
- Can I sell homemade food?
- Food activities require municipality food-safety approval in addition to a licence.
Sources and further reading
This guide links to official and primary sources where available. Rules, forms and online services can change, so confirm your case through the relevant official service.
About the author
Sherwin Jesuraj
Business Setup Industry Expert
Sherwin Jesuraj writes about UAE company formation, mainland and free zone options, business setup costs, and entrepreneurship. His content for BusinessSetup.ae helps readers understand their options, compare practical requirements, and make informed decisions before starting a business.
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