Becoming a broker in Dubai: the reality of the first months
Dubai is one of the busiest property markets in the world, and the number of brokers grows every year. That is good news for the market, and a warning for newcomers: there are more brokers than ever chasing the same clients.
The market in numbers
According to the Dubai Land Department figures for 2025:
| Figure | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Registered real estate brokers (end of year) | 32,294 |
| New brokers during the year | 13,083 (up 38%) |
| Registered brokerage offices | 9,785 |
| Transactions done through brokers | 96,440 (up 54%) |
| Commissions earned by brokerages | AED 13.59 billion (up 31%) |
In the first quarter of 2026, Cavendish Maxwell counted about 44,100 residential transactions, with off-plan sales still growing.
How long before your first deal
New brokers often expect a first commission within one or two months. The National reported in November 2025 that it can take up to six months. A commission is usually paid only after the deal closes and the agency has been paid, so the money arrives after the deal itself.
How long newcomers stay
The same report says that new agents and rental staff stay about three months on average. The main reasons given: more competition, low entry barriers and savings that run out before the first deals.
How much you earn
The National quoted an average of about AED 18,000 per month per broker. An average hides big differences: a few top brokers earn a lot, and many newcomers earn nothing for months. Ads that promise “AED 100,000 a month” describe the best case, not the usual one.
What to do before you start
- Count your savings in months, not in dirhams. Plan for at least six months without commission, plus the start-up costs. Our savings calculator does the maths.
- Prefer a base salary for your first year if your savings are short. Compare offers with the commission calculator.
- Ask who pays the broker card, the training and the visa before you sign. See before you sign.
- Choose one segment and one area for your first 90 days. See your first 90 days.
On CloserPass
Every job shows its split, base salary, leads and visa conditions up front, so you can compare offers on what matters for the first months.