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What Is a Trakheesi Permit and When Do Dubai Brokers Need One? (2026)

A Trakheesi permit is the Dubai Land Department approval every property advertisement in Dubai legally needs before it goes live. Here is what it is, when a broker needs one, per-unit vs per-building rules, primary vs secondary permits, the cost, what must appear in the advert, and how to get one - each point sourced to DLD.

A Trakheesi permit is the Dubai Land Department (DLD) advertising approval that every property advertisement in Dubai legally needs before it goes live - and a Dubai broker needs one for each listing they publish, on any channel. Issued through DLD's Trakheesi e-services system and regulated by RERA, the permit gives each advert a number that ties it to a real, verified listing; advertising without one is a violation. This guide answers the questions Dubai brokers actually ask about it - when you need a permit, whether one covers a whole building, the difference between primary and secondary permits, what it costs, what must appear in the advert, and how to get one - with every figure sourced directly to DLD. It is general guidance, not legal advice; confirm your specifics with DLD or your compliance team.

What is a Trakheesi permit?

A Trakheesi permit is the Real Estate Ad Permit issued through the Dubai Land Department's Trakheesi online system, with property advertising regulated by RERA. It authorises a specific property advertisement and gives it a permit number that links the advert to a genuine, registered listing. DLD's own e-services list 14 categories of advertising permit - covering newspaper, SMS, outdoor, vehicle, and printed ads among others - so "the advert permit" is really a family of permit types, one matched to how and where you advertise.

When does a Dubai broker need a Trakheesi permit?

You need a valid Trakheesi permit before publishing any property advertisement in Dubai - there is no informal channel that is exempt. As the property portals state plainly, it is mandatory to have a marketing permit to publish any property advertisement in Dubai, which is why every listing on Bayut or dubizzle must carry a permit number. Online listings, print, billboards, SMS blasts and social posts all require the relevant permit first; advertising without one is treated as a violation.

Do you need a permit for each unit, or one for the whole building?

You do not always need a separate permit per unit. When you are advertising multiple units in the same building, you can apply for a single Trakheesi permit that covers the whole building rather than one permit per unit. That materially cuts the admin load for a brokerage marketing many apartments in one tower - one permit, many units - provided the units genuinely sit in that building and your listing details are accurate.

What is the difference between a primary and secondary Trakheesi permit?

Primary permits cover developer off-plan sales; secondary permits cover resale of existing or already-purchased property. The distinction bites for off-plan flips: a unit bought from a developer and resold before handover is classed as secondary, so it needs a secondary permit. Per Property Finder's Trakheesi guide, a primary off-plan permit requires a developer NOC and one fee can cover multiple units in the same project, while a secondary resale permit requires Form A signed by the owner.

How much does a Trakheesi permit cost, and how long is it valid?

DLD's e-service lists a standard advertising permit at AED 1,000 plus a AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation fee, and a Project Launch Event permit at AED 5,000, on the same official page. On validity, DLD's page does not state a numeric period; Property Finder reports that permits are valid for one year from issuance - treat the one-year figure as portal-reported rather than confirmed on DLD's own page, and verify current fees and validity with DLD before you rely on them.

What must appear in a Dubai property advert?

Every advert must display its Trakheesi permit number, and for off-plan it must also show the developer name, escrow account number and expected completion date, per the portal advertising rules. Since 24 April 2023, DLD's Madmoun service has made a QR code mandatory on print and audiovisual property advertisements - scanning it verifies RERA approval and the property's details. If your advert lacks the permit number or the required QR code, it is non-compliant.

What happens if you advertise without a Trakheesi permit?

Advertising a property in Dubai without a valid permit is a regulatory violation, not a grey area. DLD's own Madmoun announcement states that non-compliant advertisers face violations and enforcement. RERA does not publish a single fixed public fine schedule, so we do not quote a figure here - but the practical exposure runs from ad takedowns to fines and, for repeat or serious breaches, action against the brokerage's licence. The safe position is simple: no permit, no advert.

How does a Dubai broker get a Trakheesi permit?

Brokers generate permits through their DLD business account - the Dubai Broker / Profolio system - inside Trakheesi, and a valid brokerage licence is a prerequisite. Access is via the DLD Business Owner / Dubai Broker account, and the underlying application runs through DLD's Request a Real Estate Permit e-service. You attach the supporting documents for the permit type - a developer NOC for primary/off-plan, or Form A for a secondary resale - and the system issues the permit number you then place on the advert.

Trakheesi permit essentials for Dubai brokers: every advert needs a DLD permit number and, since April 2023, a QR code; one permit can cover a whole building; primary permits need a developer NOC while secondary resale needs Form A; standard fee AED 1,000 plus AED 20
Trakheesi at a glance: what every Dubai property advert legally needs, and the primary-vs-secondary split - all issued through DLD's Trakheesi system.

The bottom line: a Trakheesi permit is mandatory before any property advert goes live in Dubai, it gives each advert a DLD permit number, and since April 2023 print and audiovisual ads also need a Madmoun QR code. One permit can cover a whole building; off-plan resale before handover is secondary and needs Form A. The standard DLD fee is AED 1,000 plus a AED 20 fee. Where compliance really breaks for brokerages is at scale - keeping every live listing tied to a valid, current permit across portals - which is exactly the kind of thing worth wiring into your systems rather than tracking by hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Trakheesi permit mandatory for every property advert in Dubai?

Yes. A valid Trakheesi permit number is required before publishing any property advertisement in Dubai - online, print, billboard, SMS or social. Every listing on portals like Bayut and dubizzle must carry a permit number, and advertising without one is a violation.

Can one Trakheesi permit cover multiple units in a building?

Yes. When advertising several units in the same building, a broker can apply for a single permit covering the whole building instead of one per unit. For primary off-plan, one fee can also cover multiple units in the same project, with a developer NOC.

What is the difference between a primary and secondary permit?

Primary permits cover developer off-plan sales and need a developer NOC; secondary permits cover resale of existing property and need Form A signed by the owner. An off-plan unit resold before handover is treated as secondary.

How much does a Trakheesi permit cost?

Dubai Land Department's e-service lists a standard advertising permit at AED 1,000 plus a AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation fee, and a Project Launch Event permit at AED 5,000. Confirm current fees on DLD's page before relying on them.

Does a Dubai property advert need a QR code?

Yes, for print and audiovisual ads. Since 24 April 2023, DLD's Madmoun service has made a QR code mandatory on those advertisements; scanning it verifies RERA approval and the property's details, alongside the displayed permit number.


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Groovy Web Team

Written by Groovy Web Team

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