How to Get a UAE Real Estate Broker Licence (RERA) — Step by Step Guide 2026
UAE real estate brokerage is a licensed profession. In Dubai, RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency) licenses all real estate brokers. Without a RERA card, you cannot legally broker UAE property transactions. This guide covers how to get a UAE real estate broker (RERA) licence in 2026.
In this guide:
RERA Broker Licence Requirements
- Company requirement: RERA licenses individual brokers who work for a licensed real estate company; the company must first have a Dubai mainland DED real estate brokerage licence; you cannot be an independent RERA-licensed broker without a company sponsor
- RERA broker card (Taqyeem exam): each individual broker must pass the RERA real estate broker exam; the exam tests Dubai property law, RERA regulations, and professional standards; offered in Arabic and English; pass mark: 65%
- Good conduct certificate: from UAE police (not required for all); some RERA applications ask for good standing
- UAE residence visa: must be on a valid UAE residence visa (not a visit visa) to get RERA card
RERA Broker Exam — Taqyeem
- Exam provider: DREI (Dubai Real Estate Institute); the only authorised exam provider for RERA brokers
- Exam format: multiple choice; 100 questions; 2 hours; English or Arabic; fee AED 3,200 for the course and exam
- Course: DREI offers a 4-day preparatory course before the exam; covers Dubai strata law, RERA Law 26, SPA (Sale and Purchase Agreement) basics, Real Estate Regulatory Framework
- Pass rate: approximately 65-70% pass on first attempt; retakes available at reduced fee
- RERA card validity: 1 year; must renew annually with continuing education credits (CPD)
RERA Agency Licence for Real Estate Company
- Set up a Dubai mainland company: apply to Dubai DED for a real estate brokerage licence; activity code: Real Estate Brokerage; requires a minimum 1 shareholder and a UAE office
- DLD Real Estate Regulatory Agency registration: register the company with RERA at Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) under Dubai Land Department; submit company documents; pay registration fee (AED 5,000-10,000)
- RERA agency profile: company gets a RERA agency number; listed on Dubai’s real estate portals (Bayut, Property Finder, Dubizzle) as an authorised agency
- Hire RERA-licensed brokers: each broker working for your company needs their own RERA card
RERA Broker Income and Market
- Commission: standard UAE real estate broker commission is 2% for buy/sell transactions; 5% for leasing (one full month’s rent); shared between buyer’s agent and seller’s agent in many deals
- Market size: Dubai property transactions exceeded AED 400 billion in 2024; significant brokerage fee pool
- Top broker earnings: senior Dubai real estate brokers can earn AED 500,000-2,000,000/year in good years; highly performance-based