Summary
To start a cleaning business in Dubai, you need a mainland trade licence from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) with the right cleaning activity. Choosing that activity is the most important decision you will make.
- General building cleaning (8121 codes): covers homes, offices and residential towers. It needs no outside approval.
- Exterior and specialised cleaning (8129 codes): covers work such as facade cleaning. It needs Dubai Municipality approval before the licence is issued.
- Full-time maids: supplying live-in maids is a separate business. It needs a MOHRE Tadbeer licence, not a cleaning licence.
In Dubai, licensing and approvals usually cost AED 15,000 to 21,000 in the first year. A realistic startup budget with 5 cleaners and a van is AED 90,000 to 160,000. In Abu Dhabi, the equivalent is a mainland licence with the Buildings Cleaning Services activity, issued through TAMM.
This guide covers activity codes, costs, staff visas, Abu Dhabi rules, pricing and how to win your first contracts.
Cleaning looks like a simple business until the first visa quota or rejected activity code lands on your desk. I have helped founders launch home cleaning, office cleaning and facade cleaning companies. The ones who grow fastest choose the right licence on day one and price their contracts around labour cost, not competitor rates.
If you are comparing sectors before you commit, our team handles business setup in Dubai across all of them, and cleaning remains one of the most dependable service businesses to start.
Which Cleaning Business Model Are You Starting?
Your model decides your licence, approvals and budget.
| Cleaning Business Model | Typical Clients | Licence Route | Extra Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home and hourly cleaning | Villas, apartments, move-in and move-out | DET building cleaning activity | None for general cleaning |
| Office and commercial cleaning | Offices, retail, towers, schools | DET building cleaning activity | None for general cleaning |
| Facade, window and specialised cleaning | Building owners, FM companies | DET 8129 activity | Dubai Municipality |
| Water tank cleaning | Buildings, villas, communities | Cleaning plus tank cleaning activity | Municipality registration |
| Full-time maid supply | Households needing live-in help | MOHRE Tadbeer centre | MOHRE licence |
Many founders start with home cleaning and add office contracts within the first year, because commercial contracts bring steadier monthly income.
Cleaning Company License in Dubai: Activity Codes and Approvals
The DET groups cleaning into three code families. Getting this right matters for queries like building cleaning license Dubai and cleaning services license in Dubai.
| Activity Code | Activity Name | Dubai Municipality Approval |
|---|---|---|
| 8120.00 | Cleaning Activities | Not required |
| 8121.01 | General (non-specialised) cleaning of all types of buildings | Not required |
| 8121.02 | General cleaning of business premises and multi-unit residential buildings | Not required |
| 8129.01 | Exterior cleaning of buildings of all types | Required before licence |
| 8129.02 | Specialised cleaning activities for buildings | Required before licence |
| 8129.90 | Building Cleaning Services | Required before licence |
Approval for the 8129 family comes from Dubai Municipality’s Building Control department. It confirms that exterior and specialised work meets municipal standards.
Some services are separate regulated activities with their own licences and approvals:
- Pest control
- Disinfection with public health chemicals
- Waste collection
Do not bundle them into a general cleaning licence. If you also plan plumbing, AC or electrical work, a general maintenance licence can sit alongside cleaning on the same company.
Housekeeping Service License in Dubai: Hourly Cleaning vs Maid Agency
This is where most housekeeping businesses go wrong.
- Hourly or part-time cleaning: a licensed cleaning company sends its own employees, who are on company visas and paid through WPS, to clean homes by the hour. A DET cleaning licence covers this.
- Full-time or live-in maids: recruiting or temporarily placing domestic workers in homes is regulated under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022. It is only allowed through a Tadbeer centre licensed by MOHRE.
If your plan is “maid services,” decide which model you mean before applying. They are different businesses.
Mainland or Free Zone for a Cleaning Company?
For almost every cleaning company, the answer is mainland. Cleaning happens at the client’s premises, which means homes, offices and towers spread across the city. A DET licence lets you serve all of them and bid for corporate and government contracts.
Free zones such as Meydan or IFZA list cleaning activities. They suit a holding entity or an admin office, but they limit direct service to mainland clients. Our mainland vs free zone decision guide explains the trade-off in detail.
How to Start a Cleaning Company in Dubai: Step-by-Step
- Choose your model and activity codes. Include every service you will sell in the first year.
- Pick a legal structure. A sole establishment or LLC is the usual choice, and 100% foreign ownership is allowed for cleaning.
- Reserve a trade name and get DET initial approval.
- Get Dubai Municipality approval if you chose any 8129 activity.
- Lease an office and register the Ejari. Office size drives your visa quota, and many operators add a small store for equipment and chemicals.
- Pay fees and receive your trade licence. It is renewed every year.
- Get your establishment card and MOHRE registration, then process cleaner visas, medicals, Emirates IDs and health insurance.
- Open a corporate bank account, set up WPS payroll and buy insurance.
Documents Required for a Cleaning Company License
- Passport copies and photos of all shareholders and the manager
- Emirates ID and visa copies, if the shareholders are UAE residents
- Trade name reservation and initial approval certificate
- Ejari and tenancy contract
- Memorandum of Association (for an LLC)
- Dubai Municipality approval (for 8129 activities)
- NOC from your current employer, if required
- A short business plan listing your services and client types
Cleaning Company License Cost in Dubai and Startup Budget
| Cost Item | Estimated Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Trade name and initial approval | 700 to 1,200 |
| DET trade licence (cleaning activities) | 12,000 to 15,000 per year |
| Dubai Municipality approval (8129 only) | 1,500 to 5,000 |
| Office rent with Ejari | 20,000 to 45,000 per year |
| Visa per cleaner (permit, medical, Emirates ID) | 3,000 to 5,000 |
| Health insurance per employee | 600 to 1,500 per year |
| Equipment, machines and chemicals | 15,000 to 40,000 |
| Van (lease or used purchase) | 3,000 to 4,000 per month or 60,000 to 90,000 |
| Labour accommodation (per bed) | 500 to 900 per month |
| Startup total, 5 cleaners and 1 van | 90,000 to 160,000 |
Licensing is not where most of your money goes; staff are. Keep three months of payroll in reserve, because corporate clients often pay on 30 to 60 day terms. Once your turnover passes AED 375,000, you must register for VAT with the Federal Tax Authority.
Cleaning Company License in Abu Dhabi
The capital is a separate market with its own process. On TAMM, you apply for a mainland Commercial Economic Licence with the Buildings Cleaning Services activity, which is issued by ADDED.
- Government fees: these start low, at around AED 790 for the licence plus the establishment card. Office, visa and staff costs are the real budget.
- Water tank cleaning: this needs a separate registration with the Department of Municipalities and Transport. You will need staff training certificates and medical reports.
- Waste: if your work includes collecting or transporting waste, that activity is licensed by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
- Workplace safety: OSHAD safety rules apply on client sites, and government clients usually ask for prequalification.
Our guide to an Abu Dhabi mainland licence covers premises and visa rules. If you are still choosing between Dubai or Abu Dhabi, start where your first contracts are.
Staff, Visa Quota and Labour Accommodation for Cleaners
Your workforce is your product.
- Visa quota: this comes from your office size and MOHRE classification. Plan for it before signing a lease.
- Work permit fees: these depend on your company’s MOHRE category, so compliance keeps costs down.
- Payroll and insurance: salaries must go through WPS, and health insurance is mandatory for every employee.
- Accommodation and transport: shared accommodation and transport are standard, and accommodation must meet MOHRE housing standards.
- Training: cover chemical handling, PPE and working at height. Commercial clients will ask for the records.
Our payroll and WPS team helps you run payroll correctly from the first month.
Is a Cleaning Business Profitable in Dubai?
Yes, if you price around labour.
- Hourly home cleaning: typically sells for AED 35 to 50 per hour per cleaner.
- Office contracts: usually priced per month, per cleaner or per square foot.
- Specialised work: facade, deep cleaning and post-construction cleaning earn the highest margins.
Well-run cleaning companies usually aim for 15 to 25% net margins. Profit rises once each cleaner is booked for 7 or more hours a day and your van routes stay inside one or two areas, such as JVC, Al Barsha or Business Bay.
How to Win Cleaning Contracts in Dubai
- Residential: optimise your Google Business Profile, list on booking apps and offer subscription plans for weekly cleans.
- Property managers: they need move-in and move-out cleaning every week.
- Hotels and holiday homes: pair housekeeping with a laundry and linen service.
- Restaurants: food establishments need deep cleaning and kitchen exhaust cleaning.
- Facility management firms: subcontract to FM companies. Some also need a security company licence for integrated contracts.
- Corporate tenders: keep your trade licence, insurance, method statements and staff training records ready, because buyers ask for them.
Common Mistakes When Starting a Cleaning Company
- Taking 8121 codes, then selling facade work that needs 8129 and municipality approval
- Advertising “maids” without a Tadbeer licence
- Signing a small office that gives too few visas
- Pricing below cost to beat competitors
- Skipping public liability insurance, which most commercial clients require
Cleaning Business in Dubai: FAQs
How much is a cleaning company license in Dubai?
The DET licence costs about AED 12,000 to 15,000 a year. First-year licensing and approvals usually total AED 15,000 to 21,000, before staff costs.
Do I need Dubai Municipality approval to start a cleaning company?
Only for exterior and specialised cleaning activities (the 8129 family). General building cleaning codes do not need it.
Can a cleaning company provide maids in Dubai?
It can provide its own staff for hourly cleaning. Live-in or full-time maid supply requires a MOHRE Tadbeer licence.
Can I start a cleaning business from home in Dubai?
Not with staff. You need a commercial office with an Ejari to get a visa quota.
How long does it take to open a cleaning company in Dubai?
Around 2 to 4 weeks for the licence, plus 2 to 3 weeks for staff visas.
How do I get a cleaning license in Abu Dhabi?
Apply on TAMM for a mainland licence with the Buildings Cleaning Services activity, then register for any extra approvals, such as water tank cleaning.
Start Your Cleaning Company With DIAC
We select your activity codes, secure DET or ADDED licensing and municipality approvals, and process your cleaners’ visas, so you can focus on clients from day one. Talk to a cleaning business setup consultant.
About the Author
Official sources
Check current fees, rules and forms with the issuing authority before you apply. Each link opens the authority’s own website.
