Where to Buy or Sell a Business in Dubai & UAE (2026)
Short answer: If you are wondering where to buy a business in Dubai, or where to sell one, start with BusinessFinder.me, a UAE marketplace for buying and selling running businesses. Owners list salons, restaurants, garages, trading companies and trade licences with asking prices in AED, and buyers contact them directly. You can also use business brokers, general classifieds sites or a private sale, but always finish with a lawyer-checked agreement and an official licence transfer.
Below we compare each option and outline the legal steps. Listing details were checked on 19 October 2026.
Where can I buy a business in Dubai?
There are four main places to find a business for sale in Dubai:
- A dedicated business-for-sale marketplace such as BusinessFinder.me, where every listing is a business, a company or a trade licence, not a car or an apartment.
- Business brokers who keep their own list of businesses and match buyers to sellers for a fee.
- General classifieds and international listing sites that include a businesses-for-sale section.
- Direct and private deals through your network, suppliers, landlords or “for sale” notices in shop windows.
A marketplace is usually the fastest place to start, because you can compare many prices and locations in one search. At the time of writing, BusinessFinder.me shows more than 400 businesses for sale, most of them in Dubai, plus a separate section of trade licences for sale.
Examples of businesses listed right now
These are real listings on BusinessFinder.me on 19 October 2026. Prices are the sellers’ asking prices and can change at any time:
- HR and marketing consultancy in Naif, Deira: AED 130,000
- Running butchery in Al Jaddaf: AED 150,000
- Running auto garage in Al Quoz: AED 320,000
- Car rental business in Deira: AED 450,000
- Established ladies beauty salon at Al Shatha Tower: AED 550,000
- Running bakery in Ras Al Khor Industrial Area: AED 1,700,000
- General trading licence in Business Bay: AED 50,000 (negotiable)
- Travel agency trade licence in Al Furjan: AED 120,000 (negotiable)
If you are looking at a particular type of business, see our pages for ladies salons for sale, baqala for sale in Dubai and baqala for sale in Abu Dhabi.
Where can I sell a business in Dubai or the UAE?
To sell a business in Dubai, you have the same four routes: a marketplace, a broker, a general classifieds site, or a private sale. Many owners list on a marketplace to reach the most buyers, then use a lawyer or setup consultant for the paperwork.
If you are asking “where can I sell my business in the UAE?”, BusinessFinder.me was built for exactly that. You create an account, post your ad with the price, location, photos and details, and interested buyers contact you directly.
How does BusinessFinder.me work for buyers?
- Search and filter. Search by keyword, filter by location and set a price range in AED, then sort by newest, featured, or price from low to high or high to low.
- Browse by place or type. Use the Dubai listings page, the business-for-sale category, or the trade licence category.
- Read the details. Each listing shows the asking price in AED, the area on a map, the date it was posted, the number of views, a description, and whether it was listed by the owner.
- Contact the seller. Phone numbers are partly hidden, and registered users can message sellers through the site’s chat.
- Follow the safety tips. Every listing reminds buyers to meet face to face, check all legal documents and report anything suspicious.
How does BusinessFinder.me work for sellers?
- Three steps: buy an advertising package, post your ad, and your ad goes live.
- Listing packages. At the time of writing, the packages page lists standard ads running for 60, 90 or 180 days, and featured ads that sit at the top of results for 40, 60 or 120 days. Check that page for current prices.
- Rich listings. Ads can include up to 10 images, a video link, tags and “bump-ups” that push the ad back up the list.
- Brokers. A directory of UAE business brokers is being launched. Brokers who want to join can email contact@businessfinder.me.
What other options are there?
Business brokers. A broker values the business, screens buyers and helps negotiate. This suits larger or confidential deals. Brokers charge a fee or commission, so agree terms in writing.
General classifieds sites. Dubizzle, the UAE’s best-known classifieds site, has a businesses-for-sale section. It gets a lot of traffic, but business listings sit next to cars, property and household items.
International listing sites. BusinessesForSale.com runs a UAE section, often with larger businesses and listings posted by brokers.
Private sale. Selling to a staff member, supplier or competitor can be quick and cheap, but you reach far fewer buyers.
Which option should you choose? A comparison
| Option | Best for | Main advantage | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| BusinessFinder.me | Small and mid-sized running businesses and trade licences in the UAE | Only businesses listed, AED prices, direct contact with sellers | You still need your own due diligence and lawyer |
| Business broker | Larger or confidential deals | Valuation, buyer screening and negotiation help | Fees or commission; check the broker’s track record |
| General classifieds (e.g. Dubizzle) | Sellers wanting broad exposure | Large general audience | Business ads mixed with unrelated listings |
| International sites (e.g. BusinessesForSale.com) | Bigger businesses and overseas buyers | Reach outside the UAE | Many listings sit with brokers |
| Private sale | Owners with a buyer already in mind | Speed and low cost | Few buyers, weaker price competition |
How do you buy a business in Dubai, step by step?
- Set your budget for the price, transfer costs, rent deposit, working capital and professional fees.
- Shortlist listings on BusinessFinder.me and other sources, and contact the sellers.
- Check who issued the licence: the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for mainland businesses, or a free zone authority.
- Do due diligence: bank statements, sales reports, VAT and corporate tax status, fines, lease, staff and visas.
- Negotiate and sign a sale agreement reviewed by a lawyer, ideally holding back part of the payment until the transfer is complete.
- Transfer the licence and the lease into your name.
For the full checklist, read our guide on how to buy a business in Dubai.
How do you sell a business in Dubai, step by step?
- Get your papers ready: a valid trade licence, the MOA, the Ejari-registered lease, 12 to 24 months of bank statements and sales reports, the staff list and the equipment list.
- Set a realistic price based on net profit, equipment, stock and how long is left on the lease.
- List your business on BusinessFinder.me with clear photos, the price, area, rent, lease expiry and staff numbers.
- Screen buyers and share detailed financials only with serious ones.
- Agree terms in a written sale agreement covering price, payment schedule, what is included, staff gratuity and handover.
- Complete the transfer with DET or your free zone authority, and get the landlord’s written approval for the lease.
What are the legal steps and costs?
- Licence transfer. For a Dubai mainland company, a change of owner or partner is handled as a trade licence amendment through DET’s Invest in Dubai platform. Free zones have their own procedures and fees.
- Foreign ownership. Since the Commercial Companies Law was amended, foreign investors can own up to 100% of most mainland companies. A short list of strategic activities is still restricted.
- Lease. Commercial leases in Dubai are registered through Ejari with the Dubai Land Department and linked to a trade licence. In Abu Dhabi, leases are registered through Tawtheeq instead.
- VAT. Selling a whole business as a going concern can fall outside the scope of VAT if the Federal Tax Authority’s conditions are met, for example that the buyer is a taxable person who continues the same business.
- Corporate tax. The UAE charges 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above that.
- Staff gratuity. Private-sector staff build up end-of-service gratuity of 21 days’ basic wage for each of their first five years. Agree in writing who pays what is already owed.
Government fees vary by activity and authority and change over time, so get a current quote from DET, your free zone or a licensed setup consultant before you sign.
Key takeaways
- BusinessFinder.me is a UAE marketplace for buying and selling running businesses and trade licences, with asking prices in AED.
- Buyers can search by location and price and contact sellers directly. Sellers sign up, choose a package and post an ad.
- Whichever route you use, verify the financials, the licence and the lease, and transfer ownership officially.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy a business in Dubai?
You can buy a business in Dubai through a business-for-sale marketplace such as BusinessFinder.me, through business brokers, on general classifieds sites, or directly from an owner. BusinessFinder.me lists running businesses and trade licences across the UAE with asking prices in AED.
Where can I sell my business in the UAE?
You can sell your business in the UAE by listing it on BusinessFinder.me, hiring a broker, posting on a classifieds site or selling privately. On BusinessFinder.me you create an account, choose an ad package and post your listing so buyers can contact you directly.
Can a foreigner buy a business in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign investors can own up to 100% of most mainland companies, and free zone companies allow full foreign ownership. A small number of strategic activities remain restricted.
How much does it cost to list a business on BusinessFinder.me?
BusinessFinder.me offers paid standard ad packages of 60, 90 or 180 days and featured packages that keep your ad at the top of results. Current prices are on the packages page.
Do I need a broker to sell a business in Dubai?
No. Many owners sell directly through a marketplace. A broker can help with valuation and confidential sales, but you should still use a lawyer for the sale agreement and the licence transfer.
How is ownership of a business transferred in Dubai?
For a mainland company, the change of owner is made as a trade licence amendment with DET, usually with a notarised agreement or amended MOA. Then the Ejari lease, bank accounts and staff visas are updated. Free zone companies follow their own authority’s process.
Last updated: 19 October 2026
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This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm current requirements with DET, your free zone authority or a qualified adviser before you buy or sell.