Setting up a Private Clinic in Dubai- A Basic Guide

Seep Gupta

17 Mar, 2025

Setting up a private clinic in Dubai is not an easy task. It involves many steps and compliances to be adhered to. It is essential and recommended to seek the assistance of a professional consultancy firm that specialises in this matter. This article talks about the legal provisions related to setting up a private clinic in Dubai and the procedural steps to how one can set up a private clinic in Dubai. It also discusses the advantages and scopes of setting up a private clinic.

Legal Provisions related to Setting up a Private Clinic in Dubai

In the last 20 years, private clinics in Dubai are drastically increasing. The government of Dubai has been supporting and implementing new strategies in the health industry sector and in developing world-class healthcare facilities in Dubai. The government is also opening new ways for foreign key players to invest in Dubai’s healthcare sector. Over the past few years, a paradigm shift can be witnessed. Dubai’s healthcare sector is transforming with world-class infrastructure, high-tech labs, and research centres. Private clinics are also flourishing because they provide optimal and better care for those who can afford them.

The DHCC, also known as Dubai Health Care City, aims to provide the healthcare sector in Dubai with a new direction. It’s a free zone custom-built for the development of healthcare and industry with specific laws, business-friendly regulations & tax incentives for companies operating in the zone. It has been built by the Dubai Leadership as a dream project for pharmaceutical companies, health care agencies, hospitals and clinics etc.

Setting up a business in Dubai is a successful venture, but to effectively manage the clinic in an efficient manner, a highly qualified and experienced supervisor is required. It’s not a cakewalk to set up a private clinic in Dubai; certain legal compliances and provisions need to be followed and adhered to. One needs to obtain prior approvals from the Dubai Health Authority, also known as DHA and from the Department of Economic Development (DED) for a license. Without a license, one cannot open up a private clinic in Dubai. The license depicts whether the individual is an intern, resident, practitioner, specialist, consultant etc. Apart from all these provisions, the applicant is also required to take prior permission and approval from the departments like Civil Defence and Municipality.

Documents Required for Setting up a Private Clinic in Dubai

There are the following documents required for registering or setting up a private clinic in Dubai. These documents are enlisted below:-

• Trade name registration letter from DED (Department of Economic Development) or from Free Zone Authority.
• A land registration certificate depicting the land plot number from DED or from Free Zone Authority is also required.
• Sample drawings or blueprints depicting the proposed model of the hospital or clinic design and layout.
• Feasibility study and business plan.
• Passport copy with residency visa for non-locals, in case non-residents want to set up the clinic.
• A proposal letter from the owner or from the director is required.
• Necessary details of registered practitioners are required.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Set up a Private Clinic in Dubai

To set up a clinic in Dubai, the following steps are required. These steps are mentioned below in chronological order:-

• The first and foremost step to open a medical clinic in Dubai is to get the license and get the trade name registered. This can be done by submitting an online application and get it submitted to the Department of Economic Development.
• After obtaining the trade name, the applicant needs to submit another application along with all the mandatory documents to the DED along with the passport photocopy to get the initial approval from the concerned department.
• The third step is to get approval from the Dubai Health Authority^[1] (DHA). DHA is a primary body which regulates and governs all the healthcare services in Dubai, and their approval matters. So getting approval from DHA matters.
• After the above-mentioned step, submit all the required documents with the registration fee and a photocopy of the initial approval along with the following documents:-
• A valid building
• Final trade license for practising
• No Objection Certificate
• List of all the healthcare professionals and names of the directors.
• The last step is to create an account on the DHA (Dubai Health Authority) portal to get the DHA license. After the verification of all the submitted documents, the applicant will get the final license to start a clinic in Dubai.

Advantages and Scope

Opening up a private clinic in Dubai is very beneficial. There are several advantages and scopes of opening up a clinic in Dubai. Some of these advantages are given below:-

• Increased and growing population combined with the influx of expats, major government and corporate hospitals are not able to sufficiently cater to the demands of the dynamic population. This population boom is providing an opportunity for private clinics to offer specialised and effective treatments to the people.
• Dubai offers the best world-class infrastructure, and low-cost renting of commercial space with world-class facilities is the primary reason why many medical practitioners are setting up their private clinics in Dubai with world-class and modern technology. Dubai also provides many tax incentives, which reduces the financial burden of opening and setting up clinics.
• The Dubai government is supportive of the healthcare sector and has offered and implemented many incentives and strategies which further encourage private-sector investment in the healthcare sector. Dubai offers no corporate tax or VAT for business investment, and this is also a major advantage for private clinics.
• Private clinics also have the potential to generate revenue due to the high demand for healthcare services and the willingness of patients to pay for optimised and quality healthcare. Dubai also has a large number of immigrants coming in from all over the world, which also gives these private clinics a chance to cater to a large number of diverse patients from all over the world.

These are some of the advantages and scopes of setting up or opening up a clinic in Dubai.

Conclusion

Overall, setting up a private clinic in Dubai can pose many hurdles and challenges but they all are worth it in the end. It offers significant advantages or scope for growth and success in the healthcare industry or sector in Dubai. However, it is also important to note that to open up a successful and efficient clinic. It is important to make proper planning, thorough research, management and investment before going for clinic registration.

Also Read:
Why One should Set up an Office in Dubai?
Procedure for Company Formation in Dubai
5 Easy Steps to Start a Company in Dubai Free Zone