How to Start a Veterinary Clinic in Dubai
Dubai has more pets than ever. Dogs bark in Jumeirah homes. Cats purr in Marina flats. Birds sing in Bur Dubai. Pet owners spend a lot on care. They pay for shots and check-ups. This boom makes a veterinary clinic in Dubai a great idea. You help animals. You build a strong animal healthcare business Dubai. This full guide shows every step for 2026. We use simple words. Everyone can read it. Facts come from DET, MOCCAE, and DM rules. Check gov sites for changes. Learn how to open a vet clinic in Dubai right now.
Why Dubai Needs More Vet Clinics
Pet numbers grow 7% yearly. Over 1 million pets live here now. Expats bring dogs from the UK. Locals buy cats from shops. Rich families pay AED 500 for one visit. Areas like Downtown need clinics. Rules from the government build trust. Start small with check-ups. Grow a veterinary hospital license Dubai. Free zones cut taxes to zero. You own 100%. The market stays hot all year. No big ups and downs. Serve busy pet lovers. Link to Golden Visa with AED 500k investment. Long success waits for planners.
People want clean spots. Kind staff wins hearts. Gov pushes for animal goods that help you. Pet shops send clients. Your clinic fills the gap.
Benefits of Starting a Veterinary Clinic in Dubai
Starting a veterinary clinic in Dubai brings big wins. Pet lovers grow fast here. You help animals and earn steady cash. Dubai rules make Setup easy. Here are the top benefits based on market trends and government support.
- Growing Pet Demand: Over 1 million pets live in Dubai now. Expats and locals treat dogs and cats like family. They often book check-ups, shots, and surgery. Need rises 7% yearly. Your clinic stays busy.
- High Spending Power: Rich residents pay AED 500+ per visit. They want top care, like ultrasound and grooming add-ons. Premium services boost profits. Wellness plans add repeat cash.
- Business-Friendly Rules: Zero corporate tax in free zones. No sponsor needed. Full profit take-home. Fast licenses from DET, MOCCAE. Golden Visa option at AED 500k investment.
- Steady Income Year-Round: Pets need care always. No big slowdowns in the economy dips. Add services like boarding, nutrition sales. Diversifying into more revenue streams is easy.
- Modern Setup Helps: World-class roads link Jumeirah to Marina clients. Digital portals speed vet clinic license Dubai. Pet fairs, Instagram grow fast. Help animals and build a legacy.
These perks make the animal healthcare business Dubai a smart choice. Serve happy owners. Watch your clinic thrive in 2026.
Types of Vet Clinic Licenses in Dubai
Dubai requires a specific licenses for a vet clinic license Dubai. Each type comes from DET, MOCCAE, or DM. They match the veterinary trade license activity, Dubai code 7500.94. Pick based on clinic size and services. All follow the 2026 animal safety rules. Here’s every main type from official sources.
- Trade License (Veterinary Services – Code 7500.94)
DET issues this core license. It registers your business legally. Covers check-ups, treatments, and pet sales. Needed first for the mainland or the free zone. Yearly renewal. Cost AED 10,000-30,000.
- Veterinary Establishment License
MOCCAE grants this for clinic operations. Includes small clinics, labs, hospitals, and pharmacies. Checks the pet clinic setup requirements, including rooms and equipment. At least one licensed vet required. Time 2-4 weeks.
- Veterinary Facility Approval
DM provides after the veterinary facility inspection Dubai. Verifies hygiene, waste systems, and layout. Post-fit-out only. Ensures public health standards.
- Professional License for Veterinarian UAE
MOCCAE per staff member. For vets and assistants. Needs a degree, 5+ years of experience, and an exam. AED 2,000-5,000 each yearly. No clinic runs without this.
- Specialized Add-On Licenses
X-ray License: FANR for imaging equipment.
- Veterinary Hospital License Dubai: MOCCAE for surgery/specialty (200+ sqm).
- Veterinary Pharmacy License: MOCCAE for med storage/sales.
Veterinary Clinic License Cost Dubai
Veterinary clinic license cost Dubai starts low but adds up. Licenses alone cost AED 20k to 50k in year one. Fully open needs AED 150k to 1M. Free zones save 20%. VAT 5% on most. Plan with a buffer.
License fees first. Trade AED 10k-30k. MOCCAE AED 5k-10k. Vet pro AED 2k each. Ejari AED 200. Inspection AED 2k-5k. X-ray AED 5k extra.
Space rent AED 50k-200k per year. Fit-out AED 100k-500k. Plans AED 10k. Fire cert AED 3k.
Gear like table AED 10k. Ultrasound AED 50k. X-ray AED 100k. Fridge AED 5k.
Staff for six months, AED 200k. Vet AED 20k a month. Techs AED 5k each.
Marketing AED 20k. Site AED 10k. Signs AED 5k. Insurance AED 10k.
| Category | Low AED | High AED |
| Licenses | 20k | 50k |
| Space | 150k | 700k |
| Gear | 200k | 400k |
| Staff | 200k | 400k |
| Other | 60k | 120k |
| Total | 630k | 1.67M |
Save with used gear. Skip X-ray first. Free zone tax-free.
Step-by-Step: How to Open a Vet Clinic in Dubai
Step 1: Choose Mainland or Free Zone
Decide on your business spot. Mainland workers in Dubai may need a sponsor. A free zone like Meydan gives full ownership. No sponsor there. Zero tax, too. Both use the veterinary trade license activity Dubai code 7500.94. A free zone is best for new starts. Time: 1 day. Cost: Free choice.
Step 2: Reserve Trade Name
Go online to the DET portal. Pick three names like “Pet Care Vet Dubai.” Check free. Get approval fast. No bad words allowed. This sets your brand. All licenses need it. Time: 1-2 days. Cost: AED 0-500.
Step 3: Get Initial Approval
Submit to DET and MOCCAE for veterinary clinic approval. Send passport, visa, plan, and name paper. They check whether vet work meets the rules. MOCCAE sees animal care ok. Letters come in 1 week. No go stops rest. Cost: AED 1k-2k. Time: 1 week.
Step 4: Lease Space and Get Ejari
Rent 100+ sqm in Jumeirah or Marina. Space must include an exam room, surgery, pharmacy, and a waste area. Sign the lease contract. Register Ejari for clinic at the Land Department. AED 200 fee. Get landlord NOC. Proves real rent. Time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: AED 50k+ per year rent.
Step 5: Hire an architect for the plans
An engineer draws a layout. Show reception, treatment room, kennels, lab, and isolation. Follow DM clean rules. Tiles are easy wipe. Vents pull air. Lights bright. Get a stamp. Submit for ok. Cost: AED 10k-25k. Time: 2 weeks.
Step 6: Fit-Out the Clinic
Build from plans. Install sinks, surgery lights, a lock pharmacy, and waste pipes. Sterile zones ready. Fire safe Setup. Civil Defense check. Prep inspect team. Cost: AED 100k-500k. Time: 4-6 weeks.
Step 7: Pass Veterinary Facility Inspection Dubai
DM and MOCCAE see the site. They check hygiene, rooms, gear list, safety. Note fixes needed. Do changes quickly. Pass gives facility ok. 70% first time with good prep. Cost: AED 2k-5k. Time: 1 week.
Step 8: Hire Staff with Pro Licenses
Find the head vet. Needs a professional license for veterinarian UAE from MOCCAE. Degree, 5 years of work, exam pass. Submit their files. Hire techs, reception, and a cleaner. All health cards. Cost: AED 30k+ first month pay. Time: 1-2 weeks.
Step 9: Issue Final Licenses and Open
Gather all papers. Pay fees. DET sends the trade license. MOCCAE okays establishment. Buy tables, a fridge, and tools. Stock meds. Doors open to pets. Renew next year. Cost: AED 20k-50k licenses. Time: 1 week.
MOCCAE Approval for Veterinary Clinic
MOCCAE approval for the veterinary clinic is a key step. Send plans, gear list, vet CVs. They see welfare fit. Online now. 2-4 weeks. Hospitals show surgery proof. Exam for new vets. No ok stops all. Site moccae.gov.ae.
Pet Clinic Setup Requirements: Room by Room
Pet clinic setup requirements are strict. 100 sqm min. Rooms must be split.
The reception waits for pets. The exam has table lights. Surgery sterile tools. Pharmacy locks meds. Recovery kennels are clean. Waste is separated and burned. Isolate the sick ones. Lab tests blood.
Tiles wipe easily. Lights bright. Air cool. No carpet germs. Parking cars. Passed the inspection the first time.
Get the right staff with Licenses.
A vet lead needs a professional license for veterinarian UAE. Degree, five years of experience. MOCCAE exam AED 500. Pay AED 20k a month. Tech two at AED 5k. Reception AED 4k. Clean AED 2k. Health cards all. Train, nice touch.
Hospital adds surgeons. One vet, two helpers rule.
Buy Gear and Run Day to Day
Table AED 5k. Ultrasound 50k. Sterilize 15k. Fridge vaccines. X-ray FANR first.
Daily clean all. Log visits. Software books pets. Open 10 to 8. Weekends full. No hurt animals.
Changes in 2026 Rules
Digital MOCCAE apps. DET code adds mobile. DM photo checks. Fees drop in the free zone.
| Old Way | New Way |
| Paper | Online |
| Basic | Mobile ok |
| Visit only | App too |
30% faster now.
Documents List 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)
Cost-Saving Tricks
Free zone Meydan. Used X-ray at half price. One vet starts. Instagram free reach. Partner groomers share rent.
Market Your Clinic Smart
Site with a map. Instagram cute pics. First visit is a free shot. Google business. Pet fair booths. AED 10k first month.
For a better process, get expert help from Company Formation in Dubai. They are licensed Business setup consultants in Dubai with over 12+ years of experience in providing UAE PRO Services.
FAQs
Q1: What documents do I need for a vet clinic license Dubai?
You need passport copies of the owner and shareholders, valid UAE visas, trade name reservation, business plan, Ejari tenancy contract, lease agreement, clinic layout plans, equipment list, vet degrees and experience certificates, initial approvals from DET and MOCCAE, NOC from landlord, fire safety certificate, and waste management plan.
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 from DET. MOCCAE establishment license adds AED 5,000-10,000. Each professional vet license costs AED 2,000-5,000. Full startup with fit-out ranges from AED 150,000 to 1,000,000.
Q3: How long does it take to get a vet clinic license Dubai?
The process takes 4-8 weeks total. Initial approval takes 1 week. Fit-out and veterinary facility inspection Dubai needs 4-6 weeks. Final licenses will be issued in 1 week. Free zones like Meydan complete in 2-4 weeks.
Q4: Do I need a professional license for veterinarian UAE?
Yes, every vet requires a MOCCAE professional license. Submit a degree, 5+ years of experience proof, pass the exam, and get a health card. No licensed vet means no clinic approval or opening.
Q5: What is the veterinary trade license activity Dubai code?
The exact code is 7500.94 for veterinary services. It covers check-ups, treatments, and pet care operations. Enter this code on the DET application or face rejection.
Final Thoughts
Follow the steps for the veterinary clinic in Dubai. Costs clear. Papers ready. Inspect pass. Open doors soon. Check gov sites often. Love pets? Dubai is the perfect spot. Call setup help today.
Get pro help from Company Formation in Dubai for a better process!
