Abu Dhabi cracks down on shared housing and unlicensed holiday homes

The Department of Tourism and Culture – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has released Circular No. 8/2025, introducing reinforced regulatory requirements for holiday home operations across the emirate. Addressed to holiday home owners, operators, and online booking platforms, the circular seeks to enhance consumer protection, ensure equitable competition in the short-term rental market, and maintain the emirate’s high accommodation standards amid continued tourism growth.

Under the new regulations, all holiday homes in Abu Dhabi must secure a valid licence before being listed for rent on any digital booking platform—whether local, regional, or global. Effective 1 January 2026, unlicensed residential units will no longer be permitted on short-term rental websites and mobile applications. This marks a significant enforcement phase in regulating a segment that has seen rapid expansion in recent years.

To provide full transparency to guests, online platforms are required to introduce a mandatory and clearly visible field for holiday home licence numbers within every listing. Owners and operators must ensure that the licence number is accurately entered and verifiable for each registered property. The measure is designed to help users more easily distinguish between licensed, compliant rentals and unauthorized accommodation providers, thereby reducing risk and reinforcing guest confidence.

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director-General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, emphasized the importance of strengthening the holiday home sector as part of the emirate’s broader tourism strategy. “Our expansion of Abu Dhabi’s holiday homes licensing policy to allow farmhouses to offer guest accommodations will support both Abu Dhabi’s hospitality and agri-tourism sectors,” he stated. “As the emirate witnesses substantial tourism growth, it is imperative that we continue to offer visitors unique and sustainable experiences that reflect our rich heritage and renowned Emirati hospitality.” As part of these developments, DCT Abu Dhabi is actively guiding farmhouse owners through the licensing process by conducting sessions focused on regulatory requirements and navigation of the licensing system. A comprehensive reference manual has been made available on the Department’s official website to assist applicants. Farmhouse owners have been granted a six-month grace period to initiate the licensing process, ensuring a smooth transition and minimizing the risk of penalties.

In line with promoting agri-tourism, DCT Abu Dhabi is set to introduce a detailed policy framework to license and expand farmhouse tourism activity. The initiative encourages farm owners to deliver authentic Emirati-led tourism offerings, contributing to the emirate’s diverse range of visitor experiences.

As part of its consumer safety and regulatory integrity focus, the circular strictly prohibits the listing of shared residential units—such as individual rooms or shared beds—on any electronic platform. This restriction aligns with privacy, security, and tourism quality standards implemented across the emirate. Platform administrators must deploy robust monitoring systems and enforce compliance by preventing the listing of shared units and taking corrective action when violations are identified.

Moreover, online platforms will be required to remove any unlicensed listing within 30 days of receiving notice from DCT Abu Dhabi. Non-compliance may result in additional regulatory penalties, reinforcing the authority’s zero-tolerance stance on breaches. To streamline communication and compliance procedures, the circular mandates that online platforms establish a single official channel dedicated to receiving directives, notifications, and updates issued by DCT Abu Dhabi.

Collectively, these upgraded guidelines support Abu Dhabi’s commitment to strengthening hospitality standards, safeguarding visitor experiences, enabling responsible investment, and sustaining a well-regulated accommodation market aligned with global best practices.