Abu Dhabi has introduced updated regulations and a more streamlined digital system for holiday homes, making it easier for homeowners, operators and other sector participants to manage licensing and regulatory requirements. The changes, introduced by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), are designed to simplify procedures while maintaining strong standards for safety, quality and guest experience.

The revised framework expands the categories of people and entities that can operate holiday homes. Eligible operators can include individual owners, joint owners, legal entities, tenants and individuals authorised by property owners, subject to the conditions established by DCT Abu Dhabi. This provides greater clarity for property owners and businesses looking to participate in Abu Dhabi’s growing short-term accommodation sector.

One of the key changes is the introduction of stricter transparency requirements for online listings. Holiday homes cannot be advertised on websites or digital platforms without a valid DCT Abu Dhabi licence. The licence number must also be clearly displayed on the property’s listing page, allowing guests to identify authorised properties more easily and supporting stronger regulatory compliance across digital booking platforms.

The enhanced digital system also aims to reduce approval times and simplify licensing procedures. It provides improved tools for monitoring, inspections and compliance tracking, while supporting better revenue management and integration with relevant government entities. The system is also designed to comply with applicable data protection requirements when handling sensitive information.

The latest improvements build on changes introduced to Abu Dhabi’s Holiday Home System in 2024. At that time, DCT Abu Dhabi worked with government stakeholders to integrate the licensing platform with the Department of Municipalities and Transport and the self-inspection system, helping reduce permit issuance time to less than six hours.

Abu Dhabi’s holiday home sector has also recorded significant growth. In 2025, the emirate’s holiday-home supply increased by 77% year-on-year, with more than 2,000 eligible properties added, bringing the total to 4,771 units. Guest numbers also rose 77% to more than 335,000, while average daily revenue increased by 28% to AED 1,887.

The updated regulations are expected to provide a clearer framework for property owners and operators while supporting the expansion of Abu Dhabi’s accommodation options. By combining easier digital processes with stronger licensing and listing requirements, the emirate is seeking to encourage responsible participation in the holiday home market while maintaining quality and safety standards for visitors.