How to Setup a Beauty Salon in Dubai
Starting a beauty salon business in Dubai is an exciting opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs and beauty professionals.
Dubai’s luxury lifestyle and diverse population ensure a consistent, high demand for personal care services year-round.
From hair and skincare treatments to nail art and grooming, a well-run salon business in Dubai can attract both residents and tourists seeking quality beauty services.
However, launching a salon requires understanding the local market, following proper licensing procedures, and complying with regulations.
In this comprehensive guide, we outline the key steps, costs, and benefits of opening a beauty salon in Dubai – and how Corporate Business Services (CBS) can help streamline the process.
Key Takeaways
- Dubai’s Thriving Salon Market: Opening a salon in Dubai is a promising venture thanks to the city’s high demand for beauty services, affluent customers, and supportive business environment.
- Licensing is Essential: To legally run a beauty salon business in Dubai, you must obtain a salon license from DET and pass Dubai Municipality inspections.
Decide early on the salon type (men’s or women’s) and ensure your shop location meets all zoning and layout requirements.
- Investment and Costs: Plan for all costs including the beauty salon license cost in Dubai (around AED 10k–15k) and other startup expenses like rent, interior fit-out, equipment, and staff hiring.
However, in Dubai, home salons are also trending. A home salon in Dubai offers home salon services by reaching the client’s home. By running a home salon, you can save on major expenses like rent and interior fit-out.
- Regulations and Compliance: Dubai has strict health and safety regulations for salons – covering cleanliness, sanitation, space layout, and safety measures. Adhering to these rules isn’t just about passing inspections, but also about offering high-quality, safe services that build customer loyalty. Regularly renew your license and permits, and keep staff certifications and health cards up to date.
- Expert Setup Support: You don’t have to navigate the salon setup process alone. Corporate Business Services (CBS) can handle the end-to-end business setup, from company registration and license processing to visa arrangements and ongoing PRO services. With professional guidance, you can launch your dream salon confidently and efficiently, focusing on what you do best – delivering fantastic beauty services to your clients.
Why Start a Beauty Salon in Dubai?
Dubai offers numerous advantages that make starting a salon profitable and rewarding:
- High Demand and Growth: Beauty and self-care are priorities in Dubai’s culture. The city is home to around 5,000 salons serving a high-demand customer base.
According to Statista, the UAE beauty and personal care industry is growing steadily (projected to surpass $1.51 bn in 2025), driven by increasing interest in grooming and wellness services.
- Affluent and Diverse Clientele: Dubai’s residents, expatriates, and tourists all seek grooming services.
The city’s booming tourism (millions of visitors each year) brings additional clients who often indulge in hair, spa, and beauty treatments during their stay.
A diverse customer base allows you to offer a range of services – from high-end luxury treatments to affordable beauty packages – catering to different preferences and cultures.
- Business-Friendly Environment: The UAE’s pro-business policies make it easier to set up and profit from a salon.
Dubai imposes no personal income tax, and small businesses benefit from a generally tax-free setup.
Recent legal reforms also allow 100% foreign ownership of mainland companies, so you can fully own your salon without needing a local partner.
The government provides clear guidelines for business licensing and offers support initiatives for entrepreneurs, creating a supportive ecosystem for growth.
- Modern Trends and Opportunities: Dubai is at the forefront of beauty and wellness trends.
Clients in the city are eager to try new treatments, organic products, and the latest styles, giving salon owners the chance to introduce innovative services.
Once established, successful salons can expand quickly through additional branches or franchising across the UAE’s dynamic market.
Understanding Salon Licenses and Requirements in Dubai
To operate a beauty salon legally in Dubai, you must obtain a salon license from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED) and approvals from Dubai Municipality.
The licensing process will define what services you can offer and ensure your salon meets health and safety standards.
Here are key points to understand before you start the application:
Women’s vs. Men’s Salon:
Decide whether you will open a women’s beauty salon or a men’s barbershop (or one of each as separate licenses).
Dubai issues specific licenses for each. A women’s salon license permits services like hairdressing, makeup, skincare, nails, and other beauty treatments, whereas a men’s salon (barber) license covers haircuts, shaves/beard care, and basic male grooming.
Mainland vs. Free Zone:
You can set up your salon in mainland Dubai or in a designated free zone. Mainland Dubai is usually the preferred choice for a retail salon because it lets you serve the general public anywhere in the city.
Free zones offer 100% ownership and tax perks, but a salon in a free zone faces market limitations – you generally can only operate within that zone or through specific agreements.
For a customer-facing business like a salon, a mainland license (regulated by DET) is ideal to maximize your reach.
Under current laws, most mainland salon businesses can be fully foreign-owned, while some may be structured as professional licenses requiring a local service agent (with no ownership stake).
CBS can advise you on the best setup option based on your situation.
Location and Premises Requirements:
Finding the right location is essential. The shop must be in a commercially zoned area (not a private residence) and approved by Dubai Municipality.
There are strict fit-out guidelines to ensure a safe, hygienic environment for clients. For example, salons need a minimum floor space (a two-chair salon should be at least about 3m x 4m) with proper separation for each service station.
Ceilings should be at least ~2.3 meters high and there must be adequate lighting and ventilation.
A dedicated washbasin is required for hair and facial treatments, and high-touch surfaces and materials (like flooring and furniture) should be easy to clean and fire-resistant.
These regulations are in place to maintain quality and safety, and your salon will be inspected for compliance before opening.
Health and Safety Compliance:
Dubai authorities prioritize hygiene in beauty establishments. As part of licensing, you’ll need to ensure staff have valid health cards (to show they are medically fit and free of contagious diseases) and that all equipment is sterilized and maintained.
The Municipality will check for proper sanitation procedures, waste disposal, and overall cleanliness during their inspection.
Ongoing compliance is key – salons are subject to periodic inspections even after opening, so maintaining high standards is an absolute must.
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Salon Business in Dubai
Step 1: Develop Your Salon Concept and Business Plan
Start with a clear vision. Decide on your salon’s name, branding, and the range of services you’ll offer.
Step 2: Choose the Salon Type and Legal Structure
Determine whether you’re opening a women’s salon or men’s salon (as licenses are categorized accordingly).
Next, choose your business jurisdiction. For most, a mainland LLC is suitable, allowing you to operate anywhere in Dubai and now offering full foreign ownership rights.
Alternatively, you may set up as a sole establishment (professional license), which gives 100% ownership with a local service agent.
Ensure your chosen structure meets any requirements; CBS can help clarify the best option. At this stage, also reserve your trade name with DET. Pick a unique name that follows UAE naming rules (no offensive terms or religious references).
Trade name reservation is one of the initial approvals needed before you apply for the Salon business license in Dubai.
Step 3: Secure a Location and Tenancy Contract
Finding the right shop space is critical for a salon business. Look for a location with good visibility and accessibility in an area zoned for commercial use.
Once you’ve chosen a space, you must sign a tenancy (lease) contract and register it with Ejari (Dubai’s rental registration system).
An Ejari-registered tenancy contract is required for the license application. Ensure the space can meet the salon layout requirements (sufficient area for your planned stations, plumbing for washbasins, etc.).
If any remodeling is needed, factor in time for obtaining Municipality approval on the interior layout plans.
Tip: engage your local Municipality early to approve your salon layout design, or let CBS coordinate this approval as part of the setup service.
Step 4: Apply for Initial Approvals
Before the final license, you’ll obtain initial approvals from the authorities. This typically includes:
- Initial approval from DET for your business activity (confirming you can proceed with the salon license)
- Any additional NOCs (No Objection Certificates) if needed for special services. For instance, certain advanced beauty treatments might require health authority clearance, though basic salon services usually just need DET and Municipality.
By this point, you should have: a trade name certificate, initial DET approval, and your Ejari certificate for the premises.
These, along with owners’ passport and visa copies and the company’s Memorandum (if an LLC), will form your license application dossier.
Step 5: Obtain the Salon Trade License
Submit your beauty salon license application to the DET (for mainland) or the relevant free zone authority if you chose a free zone.
You will pay the necessary license fee at this stage. The authorities will review your documents, and upon approval, issue the trade license for your salon.
Once you have the license, you can proceed to final clearances and setting up operations.
(At CBS, we handle the paperwork and follow-ups with DET on your behalf, ensuring your application is error-free and processed as quickly as possible.)
Step 6: Dubai Municipality Inspection & Final Approval
With the trade license in hand and your salon fitted out, the last major step is the Municipality inspection.
Dubai Municipality will visit your salon to verify it complies with all health, hygiene, and safety regulations.
If everything meets the guidelines, you’ll receive Municipality approval (and any relevant permits), allowing you to officially open for customers.
After approval, ensure you display your salon license and the Municipality permit visibly in the premises as required.
Step 7: Hire Staff and Begin Operations
You can now hire your salon staff (hairstylists, beauticians, therapists, receptionists, etc.) and start offering services.
Remember all staff must obtain the mandatory employment visa and occupational health card and, if required, professional certifications (for example, certain beauty therapists may need certification recognized by Dubai authorities).
(Need help with these steps? Corporate Business Services (CBS) offers end-to-end business setup in Dubai, handling everything from trade name reservation and license issuance to visa processing.
With CBS experts managing the legalities and paperwork, you can focus on designing your salon and recruiting the best stylists – confident that all compliance requirements are met.)
Costs Involved in Opening a Salon in Dubai
Understanding the budget for a salon business in Dubai is crucial for planning.
The total investment can vary widely depending on the size and location of your salon, but here’s a breakdown of key costs:
- Salon License Fees: The beauty salon license cost in Dubai (trade license from DET) typically ranges from around AED 10,000 up to AED 15,000 in government fees for a standard license.
This can vary based on the number of owners, the business legal form, and if you add extra business activities.
In addition, Dubai Municipality charges modest fees for initial approvals and inspections (approximately AED 2,000–4,000). These government costs are usually paid annually when renewing the license.
- Location and Rent: Securing a shop space is often the biggest expense.
Annual rents for a small salon in an off-central area might start around AED 40–50k, whereas a spacious salon in a prime area or mall can cost well above AED 150k per year.
Keep in mind, you will need to pay a refundable security deposit to the landlord and possibly a year’s rent upfront as per local leasing norms.
- Fit-Out and Interior Setup: Outfitting the salon with chairs, mirrors, workstations, lighting, plumbing, décor, and equipment can be a significant one-time cost.
- Products and Initial Inventory: You’ll need professional-grade cosmetics, hair products, dyes, nails supplies, towels, and other consumables.
- Staffing and Visas: Budget for employee recruitment, salaries, and visa fees. Salon staff salaries in Dubai can range widely (e.g. junior hairstylist at AED 3,000/month to senior stylist at 7,000+ per month, plus commission in some cases).
Each expatriate employee’s work visa (including medical tests and Emirates ID) can cost roughly AED 5,000–7,000 over a two-year period.
Using a PRO service or CBS’s visa processing support can simplify obtaining visas.
At CBS, we provide consultations to map out expected costs and can advise on more cost-effective solutions (like shared workspaces for administrative offices, or phased expansion) to help you start within your budget.
(Remember, CBS’s support doesn’t end at setup – we offer ongoing PRO services to assist with license renewals, regulatory inspections, and any approvals you might need as your salon grows. We’re your partner in staying compliant and focus on business growth.)
Ready to start your beauty salon business in Dubai? Contact CBS today for personalized support in getting your salon up and running.
Our team of business setup experts will guide you through every step – making your Dubai salon dream a reality, hassle-free.
Reach out for a free consultation and take the first step toward opening your own beauty salon in the UAE’s vibrant market!
