How to Start a Veterinary Clinic in Dubai 2026: Complete Guide with Costs and Process
Dubai loves pets. Dogs, cats, and birds live with many families. Pet numbers grow fast. People spend big on pet care. This makes a veterinary clinic in Dubai a smart business choice. You can help animals and make money at the same time. This guide shows every step. It uses simple words for an easy read. We base facts on 2026 rules from DET, MOCCAE, and DM. Check official sites for changes. Follow this to get your vet clinic license Dubai. Let’s start your animal healthcare business Dubai.
Why Open a Veterinary Clinic in Dubai Now?
Pet ownership jumps 7% each year in the UAE. Expats and locals see pets as family. They pay for check-ups, shots, and surgery. Dubai has over 1 million pets in 2026. Rich areas like Jumeirah need more clinics. Government rules help new businesses. You get trust from licenses. Start small or build a veterinary hospital license Dubai. Market grows steadily. No big risks if you plan right. Free zones cut taxes, too. This spot gives long success.
Demand stays high. People want clean places with kind care. Link to Golden Visa if you invest AED 500,000. Serve busy spots like Marina. Your clinic fills a real need.
To open a vet clinic license Dubai, you need specific types of licenses based on your clinic size and services. These come from DET, MOCCAE, and DM. Each type matches the veterinary trade license activity Dubai code 7500.94. Rules follow 2026 standards for safety and animal care. Here are the main types.
Main Types of Vet Clinic Licenses in Dubai
- Trade License (Veterinary Services Activity)
From the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). This registers your business. It covers basic operations, such as check-ups and sales. Code: 7500.94. Costs AED 10,000-30,000 yearly. Needed first for all clinics. Renew every year.
- Veterinary Establishment License
From MOCCAE. Allows your clinic, lab, or hospital to run. Includes small clinics (100 sqm+) and big setups. Checks the pet clinic setup requirements, including rooms and equipment. Time: 2-4 weeks. At least one licensed vet required.
- Veterinary Facility Approval
From Dubai Municipality (DM). Verifies the building after the veterinary facility inspection Dubai. Ensures hygiene, waste, and layout. Comes post-fit-out. No separate fee—part of the trade process.
- Professional License for Veterinarian UAE
From MOCCAE per vet. For staff only. Needs a degree, 5+ years of experience, and an exam. AED 2,000-5,000 each. Renew yearly. No clinic opens without this.
- Specialized Add-Ons
- X-ray License: FANR permit for machines. Extra week.
- Veterinary Hospital License Dubai: MOCCAE for surgery/specialty. Bigger space (200+ sqm) needed; surgeons required.
- Pharmacy License: MOCCAE for med storage/sales.
License Types Comparison Table
| Type | Authority | For What | Cost (AED) | Time |
| Trade License | DET | Business ops | 10k-30k | 1-2 weeks |
| Establishment | MOCCAE | Clinic services | 5k-10k | 2-4 weeks |
| Facility Approval | DM | Building check | Included | Post-build |
| Pro Vet License | MOCCAE | Staff | 2k-5k each | 2 weeks |
| Hospital/Special | MOCCAE/FANR | Advanced | +10k-20k | 4-6 weeks |
Veterinary Clinic License Cost Dubai Full Breakdown
Costs range from AED 150,000 to 1,000,000 for start. Licenses alone hit AED 20,000-50,000. Plan budget well. Here’s the veterinary clinic license cost Dubai table:
| License Type | Cost Range (AED) | Frequency | Authority | Notes |
| Trade License (Activity 7500.94) | 10,000 – 30,000 | Yearly | DET | Core business registration. Higher for hospitals |
| Veterinary Establishment License | 5,000 – 10,000 | Yearly | MOCCAE | Clinic/hospital operations approval |
| Professional Vet License | 2,000 – 5,000 | Yearly per vet | MOCCAE | Minimum 1 vet required. Exam fee AED 500 extra |
| Facility Approval/Inspection | 2,000 – 5,000 | Once + yearly check | Dubai Municipality | Post-fit-out building approval |
| Ejari for Clinic | 200 – 500 | Yearly | Dubai Land Dept | Mandatory lease registration |
| X-ray Equipment License | 5,000 – 10,000 | Once | FANR | If offering imaging services |
| Pharmacy License Add-on | 3,000 – 7,000 | Yearly | MOCCAE | For medication storage/sales |
| Total License Fees (Small Clinic) | 27,200 – 67,500 | Year 1 | – | 1 vet, basic setup |
Add 5% VAT. Free zones save on tax. Renewals are half price. Save by buying used gear.
How to Open a Vet Clinic in Dubai: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Step 1: Pick Your Business Type
Decide whether to be in the mainland or the free zone. Mainland lets you work all over Dubai, but you may need a sponsor. Free zones like Meydan give 100% ownership and 0% tax. Both need a veterinary trade license, activity Dubai code 7500.94. Free zone suits startups best. Time: 1 day. Cost: Free to decide.
Step 2: Reserve Your Trade Name
Go to the DET portal online. Search names like “Dubai Pet Vet Clinic.” Pick 3 options. Get approval in hours. No rude words allowed. This locks your brand. Needed for all licenses. Cost: AED 0-500. Time: 1-2 days.
Step 3: Get Initial Approval
Apply for DET and MOCCAE approval for the veterinary clinic in Dubai. Send passport, visa, business plan, and name cert. They check if you fit vet rules. MOCCAE okays animal care plans. Get letters back in 1 week. No approval stops the next steps. Cost: AED 1,000-2,000.
Step 4: Find and Lease Space + Get Ejari
Rent 100+ sqm in pet areas like Jumeirah. Needs exam room, surgery, pharmacy, and waste spot. Sign the lease. Register Ejari for clinic at Dubai Land Department (AED 200). Proves real tenancy. Landlord NOC too. Cost: AED 50,000+ yearly rent. Time: 1-2 weeks.
Step 5: Hire an architect and Draw Plans
Get the engineer to draw the layout. Showrooms: reception, treatment, recovery, lab, isolation. Follow DM hygiene rules—no carpets, good ventilation, easy-to-clean tiles. Stamp plans. Submit to the authorities. Cost: AED 10,000-25,000. Time: 2 weeks.
Step 6: Fit-Out Your Clinic
Build per the plans. Add sinks, lights, kennels, and a pharmacy lock. Sterile surgery area. The waste system is separate. Fire safe. Get Civil Defense ok. Prep for inspection. Cost: AED 100,000-500,000. Time: 4-6 weeks.
Step 7: Pass Veterinary Facility Inspection Dubai
DM and MOCCAE visit the site. Check hygiene, layout, gear, safety. Fix issues same day. Pass gets facility approval. 70% pass first try with good plans. No pass? Redo fit-out. Cost: AED 2,000-5,000 fees. Time: 1 week.
Step 8: Hire Licensed Staff
Find a licensed vet with professional license for veterinarian UAE. Needs a degree, 5+ years, and the MOCCAE exam. Submit their papers. Add techs, admin. All get health cards. Cost: Salaries AED 30,000+/month first. Time: 1-2 weeks.
Step 9: Get Final Licenses and Open
Submit all docs: plans, Ejari, inspections, and staff licenses. Pay fees. DET issues a trade license. MOCCAE gives establishment ok. Start work. Renew yearly. Buy gear like an exam table and a fridge. Cost: AED 20,000-50,000 for total licenses. Time: 1 week.
MOCCAE Approval for Veterinary Clinic Details
MOCCAE approval for a veterinary clinic is a must. Submit plans, gear list, vet papers. They check welfare laws. Steps take 2-4 weeks. Online portal now. For a veterinary hospital license Dubai, show surgery rooms. Vets pass exam. No approval blocks the trade license.
Pet Clinic Setup Requirements Explained
Space min 100 sqm. Key rooms list:
- Reception for wait.
- Exam spot with a table.
- Surgery with sterile tools.
- Pharmacy locked.
- Recovery kennels.
- Waste safe dump.
- Lab if you add.
Tiles clean easily. Good lights. Cool air. Parking near. No germ spots. DM rules are strict.
Veterinary facility inspection Dubai looks close. Pass first with pro plans.
Hire Staff Right
Lead vet needs a professional license for veterinarian UAE. Degree plus 5 years. MOCCAE exam. Pay AED 20k-40k a month. Techs AED 8k. Cleaners daily. Health cards all. Train kind care. Ratio 1 vet to 2 helpers. Background ok. Hospitals need surgeons.
Gear and Daily Run
Buy exam table AED 5k. Ultrasound 50k. Vaccine fridge. X-ray FANR ok. Stock flea meds. Clean daily. Log all treatments. Open 10am-8pm. Software tracks pets. No cruelty.
2026 License Changes
New online MOCCAE. DET adds mobile vets to code 7500.94. DM app photos. Free zones drop 20% fees.
Full Documents List
Check off for vet clinic license Dubai:
- Copy of the passport of the owner
- Photocopies of the valid UAE visa of directors
- Business plan
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Ejari tenancy contract
- Articles of Association (AOA)
- Proof of Trade Name
- Signed Lease
- Copies of Passports for All Shareholders
- All Pre-Approvals
- Trade name reservation
- Initial approval certificate
- Municipality layout approvals
- Copy of a valid commercial license
- Copy of the lease contract or ownership document
- Equipment inventory list
- Clinic layout plans
- Personnel qualifications (vet degrees, experience)
- NOC from landlord
- Fire safety certificate
- Waste management plan
- Good standing certificate (for vets)
The architect helps. AED 5k vs delay.
Pro Vet License Guide
- Degree to MOHRE AED 1k.
- 5 years of proof.
- Exam AED 500.
- Health card.
- Issue AED 2k per year.
Hospitals for 10 years. Renew or AED 20k fine.
Renewals and Fines
Yearly: Audit AED 2k. Fees half. Vets every 3 years exam. Late AED 10k a month. App reminds. Ejari too.
Mainland or Free Zone?
| Item | Mainland | Free Zone |
| Own | Sponsor maybe | Full |
| Time | 4-6 wk | 2-4 wk |
| Cost | 30k+ | 20k 0% tax |
Startups pick zone.
Marketing Tips
- Site simple.
- Instagram pet photos.
- Discounts for the first visit.
- Google Maps.
- Pet shop ties.
- AED 10k start.
Our professional experts from PRO Services in Dubai can streamline the process for you. They are licensed Business setup consultants in Dubai with over 12+ years of experience in providing PRO Services Dubai.
FAQs
Q1: What paperwork is required for a Dubai veterinary clinic licence?
Copies of your passport, a UAE visa, a trade name reservation, an Ejari tenancy contract, a business strategy, a leasing agreement, designs for the clinic’s layout, veterinarian qualifications, the first DET and MOCCAE approvals, a fire safety certificate, and a waste management plan are all required. Send everything in for a seamless approval.
Q2: How much does a veterinary clinic license cost Dubai?
License fees total AED 20,000-50,000 yearly. Trade license costs AED 10,000-30,000. MOCCAE establishment is AED 5,000-10,000. Pro vet licenses add AED 2,000-5,000 each. Full startup reaches AED 150,000-1M with fit-out and gear.
Q3: How long will it take to get a vet clinic license Dubai in 2026?
The full process takes 4-8 weeks. Initial approval: 1 week. Fit-out and inspection: 4-6 weeks. Final licenses: 1 week. Free zones like Meydan finish in 2-4 weeks.
Q4: Do I need a professional license for veterinarian UAE?
Yes. Every vet must have a MOCCAE pro license. Requires a degree, 5+ years of experience, an exam, and a health card. No licensed vet means no clinic approval.
Q5: What is the veterinary trade license activity code Dubai?
Use code 7500.94 for veterinary services. Covers check-ups, treatments, and sales. Enter exactly on the DET application or get rejected.
Conclusion
Getting your vet clinic license Dubai is clear with the right steps and documents. Use the lists, timelines, and cost breakdowns above to open fast in 2026. Check DET, MOCCAE, and DM sites for latest rules.
For a better compliant process, Contact PRO Services in Dubai!