Quick answer: The company-licence part of a Dubai clinic — trade name, DET approvals, the trade licence itself, office registration and one visa — typically runs AED 15,000–25,000+. On top of that sit the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) facility licence, medical staff licensing (DataFlow and exams) and the premises fit-out, which are set by DHA and the market, not published as one fixed figure, and usually make up the larger share of the total budget.
Key takeaways
- A clinic is a regulated healthcare facility, so you need two approvals: a trade licence from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and a facility licence from DHA (or DOH in Abu Dhabi).
- The DET trade-licence portion is predictable — roughly AED 15,000–25,000+ with an office and one visa.
- The DHA facility licence, inspection and per-doctor licensing are charged by DHA on its Sheryan portal; budget for them separately and confirm the live fees before you sign anything.
- Premises and fit-out are the biggest variable — clinics must meet DHA room-layout and infection-control standards, so the space costs more than an ordinary office.
- Every government fee here is set by the authority and changes without notice — treat ranges as planning numbers, not quotes.
What does "clinic setup in Dubai" actually mean?
A clinic setup in Dubai is the process of registering a licensed healthcare company and then obtaining a separate DHA facility licence that legally permits you to treat patients at a specific, approved address. The commercial registration alone does not let you open the doors — the health regulator has the final say on your premises, equipment and medical staff.
In Dubai, the regulator is the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). In Abu Dhabi it is the Department of Health (DOH), and in the northern emirates it is the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP). This guide focuses on Dubai (DHA) but the sequence is similar everywhere: economic licence first, health facility licence second, staff licensing throughout.
Because clinics are health facilities, they are set up on the mainland through DET rather than in a general free zone. For how the broader licence works, see our Dubai mainland company formation guide, and for the medical-approval side specifically, our walkthrough on how to get a medical licence in the UAE.
What drives clinic setup cost in Dubai?
Clinic setup cost in Dubai is driven by four stacked layers: the DET trade licence, the DHA facility licence, the premises and fit-out, and medical staff licensing. The economic licence is the smallest and most predictable; the other three are where the real budget goes.
Here is how the predictable company-licence layer breaks down, using current DET figures. The DHA-charged items sit on top and are noted as variable because they are set on DHA's Sheryan portal and depend on your facility type and the number of medical professionals.
| Component | AED (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name reservation | 620 – 735 | One-off DET fee |
| Initial approval | 120 – 235 | DET pre-approval |
| Trade licence fee (DET) | 8,000 – 12,000 | Core annual licence |
| Market fees | 1,000 – 2,500 | ~5% of Ejari rent value |
| MoJ / MOA notarisation | 900 – 1,500 | For LLC structures |
| Admin & knowledge/innovation fees | 500 – 1,000 | Fixed DET add-ons |
| DET licence subtotal | 12,000 – 18,000 | Before office and visas |
| Clinic premises (Ejari / fit-out) | 6,000 – 25,000+ | Larger than a normal office; DHA layout rules apply |
| Establishment card (immigration) | 1,200 – 2,000 | Needed before any visa |
| Per investor or staff visa | 3,500 – 6,000 | Medical, Emirates ID and stamping included |
| DHA facility licence + inspection | Set by DHA | Confirm live fee on the Sheryan portal — depends on facility type |
| Per-doctor / nurse DHA licensing | Set by DHA | DataFlow verification + assessment exam per professional |
Realistic company-licence total with office and one visa: AED 15,000–25,000+. The DHA facility and staff licensing, plus a compliant fit-out, are charged separately and commonly exceed the company-licence portion — which is why a credible clinic budget starts well above the DET number alone.
We deliberately do not publish a single "DHA facility fee". It varies by facility type (single-specialty clinic vs. polyclinic vs. medical centre) and by how many professionals you license. Anyone quoting one flat number has guessed. We state government fees and our professional fee separately, in writing.
How much does it cost to open a clinic vs a medical centre?
A small single-specialty clinic is cheaper to license than a multi-specialty medical centre, mainly because the facility licence, the number of DHA-licensed professionals and the required floor area all scale up with the number of services you offer.
| Facility type | What it is | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single-specialty clinic | One discipline (e.g. a dental or dermatology clinic) | Lowest — smallest premises, fewest staff licences |
| Polyclinic | Several specialties under one licence | Mid — larger space, more professional licences |
| Medical centre | Broad outpatient services, often with diagnostics | Highest — biggest premises, inspections and staffing |
The company-licence (DET) layer is broadly similar across all three. The difference lives in the DHA facility layer, the premises size and the per-professional licensing count.
Step-by-step: how to set up a clinic in Dubai
The process runs in a fixed order because DHA will not issue a facility licence until your premises and staff are ready to inspect.
- Confirm the activity and legal structure. Decide the specialties and whether you need an LLC or a professional licence. This determines your DET activity codes and the DHA facility category.
- Reserve the trade name and get DET initial approval. The one-off DET fees above apply here.
- Secure DHA initial (preliminary) approval. Submit the facility concept, owner and manager details on DHA's Sheryan portal before committing to a lease.
- Lease and fit out the premises. The space must meet DHA room-layout, accessibility and infection-control standards. Register the tenancy with Ejari.
- License your medical staff. Each doctor, nurse and technician goes through DataFlow primary-source verification and, where required, a DHA assessment exam. Fees are per professional.
- Pass the DHA facility inspection. DHA inspects the fitted-out clinic against the approved plan.
- Issue the DET trade licence and DHA facility licence. With both in hand you can legally operate.
- Process immigration file and visas. Open the establishment card, then process investor and staff visas. Our visa services team handles this stage, and PRO services cover the government paperwork throughout.
Documents checklist
- Passport copies and photos of owners and the clinic manager
- Emirates ID / visa copies for UAE-resident shareholders
- Proposed trade name options and activity list
- DHA-compliant facility floor plan and lease / Ejari certificate
- CVs, qualification certificates and DataFlow reports for all medical staff
- Professional licence / Good Standing certificates for licensed practitioners
- No-objection certificate (NOC) from a current sponsor, where applicable
- Medical liability insurance details
Ongoing costs to plan for
Beyond setup, a clinic carries annual renewals that are easy to overlook. The DET trade licence and the DHA facility licence both renew yearly, each staff member's DHA licence renews, and you'll have premises rent, medical-liability insurance, and visa renewals. Many clinics also register for VAT and corporate tax depending on turnover and structure — see VAT registration and corporate tax for the thresholds.
Budget for licence renewals as a recurring line, not a one-off. Our licence renewal service keeps both the DET and immigration sides current so a lapsed card never stalls a staff visa.
FAQ
How much does it cost to open a clinic in Dubai in 2026?
The DET trade-licence portion typically costs AED 15,000–25,000+ with an office and one visa. On top of that, DHA facility licensing, medical staff licensing and the compliant fit-out are charged separately and usually make up the larger share, so a realistic all-in clinic budget starts meaningfully higher and depends on your facility type.
Do I need DHA approval as well as a trade licence?
Yes. A clinic needs two separate approvals: a DET trade licence to register the company and a DHA facility licence to legally treat patients at an approved address. DET registration alone does not permit you to operate a healthcare facility — DHA must inspect and approve your premises and staff first.
Can a clinic be set up in a Dubai free zone?
Generally no. Clinics treating the public are regulated by DHA and set up on the mainland through DET so they fall under the health authority's jurisdiction. A few specialist health free zones exist with their own regulators, but standard outpatient clinics are mainland licensed, which is why we route them through DET rather than a general free zone.
What is the difference between DHA and DOH?
DHA (Dubai Health Authority) regulates healthcare facilities and professionals in Dubai, while DOH (Department of Health) does the same in Abu Dhabi, and MOHAP covers the northern emirates. Your clinic is licensed by the regulator for the emirate where it operates, so a Dubai clinic is a DHA facility licence.
How long does clinic setup in Dubai take?
Clinic setup usually takes longer than a standard company because of the DHA stages — initial approval, fit-out, staff DataFlow verification and the facility inspection all take time. The DET trade licence can be issued in days, but the full DHA facility licence commonly takes several weeks to a few months depending on your fit-out and staff readiness.
Why can't you give me one fixed DHA fee?
Because DHA fees depend on your facility category and the number of medical professionals you license, and the live figures are published on DHA's Sheryan portal. We state government fees and our professional fee separately and in writing, rather than quoting a single flat number that would not match your actual facility.
Planning a clinic or medical centre and want a clear, itemised budget before you commit to a lease? DBM has formed 1,000+ UAE companies and holds a 4.9-star Google rating from 126 reviews. Tell us your specialties and we'll map the DET and DHA stages, costs and timeline for your exact case. Book a free consultation via our contact page, try the cost calculator, or WhatsApp +971 50 504 6228.