Businesses in the UAE playing copyrighted music will be required to pay annual licensing fees ranging from AED 1,500 to AED 50,000 starting December 1, 2026, depending on the nature of the activity and the size of the establishment.

For restaurants and cafes, annual tariffs begin at AED 1,500 for venues with up to 50 seats. This increases to AED 2,700 for 51 to 100 seats and AED 4,800 for 101 to 200 seats. For larger capacities, an additional AED 20 will be charged per seat, with an annual cap of AED 6,000 for this category.

Restaurants and cafes featuring DJs or live entertainment will face higher tariffs: AED 2,500 for up to 50 seats, AED 3,500 for 51 to 100 seats, and AED 6,500 for 101 to 200 seats. The annual fee for this group is capped at AED 8,000.

Retail stores and commercial complexes will be charged based on their floor area. Units up to 300 square meters will pay AED 1,700 annually, while those between 301 and 700 square meters will pay AED 3,400. For larger spaces, an additional AED 60 will be applied for every 25 square meters, with a maximum fee of AED 20,000. Large shopping malls will pay up to AED 50,000 annually for their common areas.

Fitness centers and gyms will be subject to fees ranging from AED 1,700 to a maximum of AED 6,000. Hotels will be charged based on their star rating and room count, ranging from AED 50 per room for one- and two-star hotels to AED 150 per room for four- and five-star hotels, with an annual cap of AED 25,000 for this sector.

Radio and television networks, as well as airlines with in-flight entertainment, are subject to separate tariffs, with the annual fee for premium airlines capped at AED 45,000. Government entities, educational institutions, national events, and non-commercial private celebrations are exempt from these fees.

These tariffs are part of a new collective management framework for music rights, aimed at ensuring royalty payments to composers, singers, musicians, producers, and music publishers.