A new tariff plan has been introduced in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to regulate the local music market and raise awareness about protecting the rights of authors, creators, and music companies. These new fees will take effect on December 1, 2026.
The annual fee for restaurants and cafes starts at 1,500 dirhams. Establishments with up to 50 seats will pay 1,500 dirhams annually; for venues with 51 to 100 seats, the amount will be 2,700 dirhams, and for 101–200 seats—4,800 dirhams. The total cost for establishments with more than 201 seats is capped at 6,000 dirhams, with an additional charge of 20 dirhams per extra seat.
Higher rates apply to restaurants and cafes equipped with DJs or those operating as entertainment/nightclubs. Here, the fee is 2,500 dirhams for up to 50 seats, 3,500 dirhams for 51–100 seats, and 6,500 dirhams for 101–200 seats, plus an additional charge of 20 dirhams for each seat over 201. The maximum limit for this category is set at 8,000 dirhams per year.
Shops and commercial complexes that play background music will be subject to fees based on floor area rather than seating capacity. Establishments with an area of up to 300 square meters will pay 1,700 dirhams annually, while those with areas from 301 to 700 square meters will pay 3,400 dirhams. An additional 60 dirhams will be charged for every extra 25 square meters beyond this threshold, with a maximum annual sum not exceeding 20,000 dirhams.
Large shopping malls fall into a separate category where fees are calculated on common areas, not individual premises. Shopping centers must pay 625 dirhams for the first 100 square meters of common area plus 50 dirhams for every additional 25 square meters, with an annual ceiling of 50,000 dirhams.
The tariffs for restaurants, cafes, and retail trade are part of a broader pricing matrix that covers fitness centers, hotels, radio and television broadcasters, and premium airlines.
Fitness centers will pay 1,700 dirhams for an area up to 300 square meters, plus 5 dirhams for each additional square meter, with a limit of 6,000 dirhams per year. Hotels and floating hotels are priced by the number of rooms depending on their star rating: from 50 dirhams per room for one- and two-star properties to 150 dirhams per room for four- and five-star hotels, with a maximum annual limit of 25,000 dirhams for the largest group of rooms.
Radio stations will pay between 1% and 3% of annual revenue depending on whether they broadcast general or predominantly music programming, while TV channels pay between 0.25% and 1%, subject to a minimum payment of 1,700 dirhams. Premium airlines providing in-flight entertainment will pay according to a sliding scale tied to the number of passenger seats, with an annual limit of 45,000 dirhams.
This tariff schedule is integrated into a broader management system introduced by the ministry to regulate licensed Collective Management Organizations (CMOs). These organizations are structures where composers, songwriters, performers, producers, and publishers transfer their rights for the collection and distribution of royalties.
According to this guideline, which is based on Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on copyright and related rights and Cabinet Resolution No. 47 of 2022, licensed CMOs are required to obtain an annual permit from the ministry, which can be renewed yearly. They are prohibited from changing the price matrix approved by the ministry without prior written consent.
Government bodies, educational and academic institutions, national celebrations, and non-commercial private events are exempt from these fees.
Furthermore, the system provides for the creation of a Cultural Fund, financed by allocating 10 percent of the 25 percent share collected before distributing income among CMO members. This fund, overseen by a joint committee representing the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and independent experts, will provide financial, technical, and artistic support to musicians and the promotion of Emirati music internationally and regionally.
The ministry retains full supervisory control, including the right to conduct on-site inspections, review the financial reports of CMOs, accept complaints from rights holders and users, and impose administrative fines or revoke permits in case of non-compliance.
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has introduced a new regulation governing the collective management of music rights. This document institutes licensing fees for businesses that use music for commercial purposes, with the collection of funds commencing in December 2026.
The 'Music Collective Management Guidelines' outlines tariffs for various establishments, including restaurants, cafes, hotels, shopping centers, fitness centers, airlines, radio stations, television channels, as well as concerts and similar events, taking into account the link between music usage in these venues and copyright protection.
The collection of fees will be managed by two Ministry-accredited organizations: the Emirates Music Rights Association and Music Nation. These entities are responsible for the rights of composers, songwriters, singers, instrumentalists, recording producers, and music publishers. Issued licenses are valid for one year and can be renewed; the fee amount is determined by the type of use and the scale of the business.
Exemptions from payment rules are provided for educational and academic institutions, government bodies, national events, as well as private, non-commercial celebrations, and any other categories that the Ministry may decide to exclude later.
The Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdullah bin Tuk Al Marri, stated that the UAE places great importance on strengthening the competitiveness of its music and creative industry as part of efforts to diversify the economy. He characterized this regulation as a step towards creating an integrated system for managing copyright and related rights in the country, aligning with the goals of the UAE Vision 2031.
The main objective of this mechanism is to reduce instances of copyright infringement, standardize licensing mechanisms and tariffs, and ensure that licensees can monitor compliance with norms according to best international practices.
Furthermore, the guidelines establish a 'Cultural Support Fund for Music,' intended to provide financial, technical, and artistic assistance in the fields of composition, production, distribution, and live performances. The fund aims to support emerging talents, including children, youth, and people with disabilities, as well as promote Emirati music internationally through support for exports, cultural exchange, and participation in global festivals.
According to the statement published on Tuesday, ten percent of the total collected fees will be directed to this fund. Oversight of the fund will be conducted by a joint committee of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the Ministry of Culture. Collectors are required to maintain a separate bank account for the distribution of fund monies.
The Ministry stated that it will monitor licensed collective management organizations for compliance with UAE copyright and related rights laws. Control will be exercised through site inspections and analysis of financial and technical documentation. Additionally, the Ministry will consider complaints from rightsholders and other interested parties regarding alleged infringements, striving to resolve disputes amicably or taking regulatory measures when necessary. The Ministry reserves the right to change license terms if required by regulatory necessity or public interest, and licensees must implement such changes immediately.
