A DTCM permit is the authorisation to operate holiday home or short-term rental accommodation in Dubai, issued by the emirate’s tourism department historically the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), now part of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism. It is the regulatory permission behind a holiday home.
Where you’ll see it
You’ll see the DTCM permit when registering a unit as a holiday home and listing it for short stays. The tourism department classifies the unit, sets standards, and issues the permit that allows it to operate.
Why it matters
The permit is what makes short-term letting lawful in Dubai. Listing without it risks penalties and removal from platforms, so obtaining and maintaining the permit is essential for anyone running holiday accommodation.
What it is not
A DTCM permit is not a standard tenancy registration, and it is not the same as a property’s title or trade licence. It is the tourism-sector authorisation for short-stay letting, closely related to the holiday home licence.
Example
An operator registers an apartment as a holiday home with Dubai’s tourism department and obtains the permit needed to host short-stay guests legally.
Connected documents and parties
Permit, unit registration, title deed; operator, tourism department, guests.
Going deeper: related reading: holiday home licence.
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Last reviewed: June 2026