Abu Dhabi tightens Holiday Home rules with new licensing regulations

Effective Jan.I unlicensed residential units will no longer be permitted on short-term rental websites and mobile applications

- Adnan Najm, Staff Reporter

The Department of Tourism and Culture - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has released Circular No. 8/2035, introducing reinforced regulatory requirements for holiday home operations across the emirate.

Addressed to holiday home owners, operators, and online booking platforms, the circular seeks to enhance consumer protection, ensure equitable competition in the short-term rental market, and maintain the emirate’s high accommodation standards amid continued tourism growth.

Under the new regulations, all holiday homes in Abu Dhabi must secure a valid licence before being listed for rent on any digital booking platform—whether local, regional, or global. Effective January 2026, unlicensed residential units will no longer be permitted on short-term rental websites and mobile applications. This marks a significant enforcement phase in regulating a segment that has seen rapid expansion in recent years.