The UAE is introducing a formal music licensing regime that will require businesses across a broad range of sectors to pay fees for the commercial use of music, with implementation beginning in December 2026.
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism announced the Collective Management Guide for Music on Tuesday, issued under Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026. The framework covers restaurants, cafés, hotels, shopping malls, fitness centres, airlines, floating hotels, radio stations, television channels and concerts. Fee brackets will vary according to the nature of the music use and the scale of the business, though the Ministry did not publish individual fee amounts in its announcement.
Two organisations – the Emirates Music Rights Association and Music Nation – have been authorised to collect fees and distribute payments to composers, songwriters, singers, musicians, record producers and music publishers. Licences will run for one year and are renewable.
Not all uses will attract fees. Educational and academic institutions, government entities, music used during national occasions, and personal or non-commercial celebrations are exempt. The Ministry may extend the exemption list through future decisions.
The framework also establishes a Cultural Support Fund for Music, which will receive 10% of all amounts collected. The fund will direct money toward music composition, production, distribution and live performances, as well as supporting emerging talent. It will be overseen by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and administered through a joint committee with the Ministry of Culture.
The Ministry will also have inspection powers over authorised collective management bodies, including the ability to review financial and technical records. Businesses and rights holders can submit complaints to the Ministry, which may pursue settlement or regulatory action.
Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri described the guide as a step toward integrated governance of copyright in the sector.
“The UAE places great importance on enhancing the competitiveness of the music and creative industries and strengthening their position as vital sectors supporting the growth of the national economy. In line with the country’s vision of the important role these industries play in advancing economic diversification, we continue our efforts to provide an enabling environment for talented individuals and innovators, protect their rights, and advance the legislative and regulatory framework for the creative economy to higher levels, in line with the objectives of the We the UAE 2031 vision,” he said.
“The Ministry’s launch of the Collective Management Guide for Music represents an important step towards developing an integrated governance framework for copyright and related rights in the UAE, enhancing the efficiency of rights management in line with international best practices, strengthening the principles of transparency and fairness in their distribution, and improving the regulation of the music sector in a way that supports its growth and prosperity. This is in line with relevant legislation and international agreements and further enhances the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for the creative economy and intellectual property protection,” he added.
The Ministry said the framework is intended to simplify legal compliance for businesses while strengthening protections for rights holders across the music industry.
