Do I need a permit to sell food at an event in Dubai?

Yes. Dubai Municipality issues a Food Activity at Events permit for food businesses selling at events. The event must be approved by Dubai's tourism authority, and your business, the event location and the organiser must all be registered on Dubai Municipality's FoodWatch platform.

How much does a food event permit cost in Dubai?

AED 160, issued in one working day and valid until the end of the event, according to Dubai Municipality's Food Related Permits and Approvals Services guide (2020). The permit cannot be renewed; you apply again for each event.

How early must I apply for a food event permit?

At least 3 working days before the event starts. Dubai Municipality lists applying on the same day as the event as a common reason for rejection.

Can a home-based business sell food at a Dubai event?

Only with prior inspection and approval from Dubai Municipality's Food Inspection Team, which the guide requires when the food event or supply is managed by a home-based business. The business also needs a licence; see our home bakery guide for the licence routes.

Can a food business from another emirate sell at a Dubai event?

Yes, with extra documents. Dubai Municipality asks food establishments from other emirates for a copy of their trade licence and a no-objection certificate from the food control authority in their own emirate. Permit officers may ask for more.

How to Get a Food Event Permit in Dubai (AED 160, 2026)

To sell food at an event in Dubai, you need Dubai Municipality's Food Activity at Events permit. It costs AED 160, is issued in one working day, and is valid until the end of the event. Apply through Dubai Municipality's FoodWatch platform at least 3 working days before the event starts. Only licensed food businesses with an inspection grade of A, B or C can get it, and the event itself must be approved by Dubai's tourism authority (Dubai Municipality, Food Related Permits and Approvals Services, 2020).

Who Needs a Food Event Permit?

Any food business selling at an event: a restaurant running a stall at a festival, a bakery at a weekend market, a café at a corporate event or a pop-up at a sports day. The permit covers your activity at that one event.

	What Dubai Municipality requires
Your business	Licensed, registered on FoodWatch, inspection grade A, B or C
The event	Approved by Dubai's tourism authority; organiser's event permit uploaded
The location and organiser	Both registered on FoodWatch
Your food supplier (if food is prepared elsewhere)	Registered on FoodWatch, with outdoor catering as a licensed activity
Your stall	Layout that prevents contamination; enough facilities to prepare, store and display food safely under Dubai's Food Code

What Does It Cost and How Long Does It Take?

Item	Detail
Fee	AED 160
Issued in	1 working day
Valid	Until the end of the event
Renewal	Not renewable: apply again for each event
Deadline	At least 3 working days before the event

Step by Step

Get the organiser's event permit. The event must be approved by Dubai's tourism authority, and you upload a copy.
Check FoodWatch registration. Your business, the event location and the organiser must all be registered. If you are not sure the location is registered, ask the organiser for the licence number of the venue and search for it on FoodWatch.
Check your grade. Establishments graded D or F, or with unresolved critical or major violations, are refused.
Apply through Smart Permit. Only your primary Person in Charge (PIC) or a Technical Expert linked to your business on FoodWatch can apply.
Pay AED 160 and receive the permit within one working day.

Where people get stuck: applying the day before. Dubai Municipality's deadline is 3 working days, and a same-day application is a listed reason for rejection. Weekends do not count as working days, so for a Saturday market, apply by the Tuesday before at the latest.

Why Do Applications Get Rejected?

Dubai Municipality lists these common reasons:

The event location or organiser is not registered on FoodWatch
The organiser did not provide the event permit
Your business or supplier does not meet the Food Code
Your inspection grade is D or F, or critical or major violations are unresolved
The application was filed on the same day as the event

What About Home-Based and Out-of-Emirate Businesses?

Home-based businesses need prior inspection and approval by Dubai Municipality's Food Inspection Team before they can produce and supply food for an event. See our home bakery licence guide for the licence routes.
Businesses from other emirates must provide a copy of their trade licence and a no-objection certificate from their own emirate's food control authority.

Checklist

Organiser's event permit in hand
Business, location and organiser registered on FoodWatch
Inspection grade A, B or C, with no open critical or major violations
Supplier registered with outdoor catering activity (if applicable)
Application filed at least 3 working days ahead; AED 160 paid
Staff screened and your PIC available on the day

Planning to sell at events regularly? A fixed food truck or kiosk at an approved site has its own permit: see our food truck licence guide. For staff screening and the Person in Charge, see the health card and PIC guide.