Dubai has strongly established itself as one of the fastest-growing healthcare and medical trading hubs in the world. The city is home to modern hospitals, advanced clinics, and a rapidly expanding healthcare sector.
Medical equipment trading is a high-potential business because healthcare is always in demand. Products like diagnostic machines, surgical tools, hospital furniture, and home healthcare devices are needed every day. With the rise in medical tourism and the growing number of private hospitals and clinics across the UAE, the demand for reliable medical suppliers is only increasing. This creates steady income opportunities and long-term business growth.
Starting a medical equipment trading business in Dubai is also more straightforward than many people think. You need to choose the right business location, apply for the required license, get product approvals, and complete basic legal formalities. So, here’s everything you need to know.
Overview of the Medical Equipment Market in Dubai
Dubai’s medical equipment market is growing fast, creating new opportunities for traders in 2025.
- Market Size: The UAE medical devices market is projected to reach approximately AED 5.6 billion (USD 1.52 billion) in 2025.
- Growth Rate: The sector is witnessing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of roughly 4.4% to 5.8%, outpacing many other retail sectors.
- Import Dependency: Dubai remains heavily import-reliant, with approx. 90% of medical equipment imported from major hubs like the US, Germany, and China, making it a trader-friendly market.
- Medical Tourism Boom: Dubai aims to attract 500,000 medical tourists annually by next year. This surge creates immediate demand for high-end cosmetic, dental, and orthopedic equipment to service international patients who expect world-class facilities.
- Tax Efficiency: Dubai offers 0% Personal Income Tax, 9% Corporate Tax (only on net profits exceeding AED 375,000), and 100% ownership of your medical trading company without needing a local Emirati sponsor (for most activities).
Types of Medical Equipment You Can Trade in Dubai
When you apply for your trade license with the DED, you will typically choose one or both of these activity groups. They determine the scope of what you can sell.
| License Activity | What It Covers | Examples |
| Medical, Surgical Articles & Requisites Trading | Smaller instruments, consumables, and minor apparatuses used for treatment and support. |
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| Medical, Surgical Equipment & Instruments Trading | Large-scale machinery, heavy equipment, and complex technology used in hospitals/clinics. |
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Equipment Classification (Risk-Based):
MOHAP classifies all equipment into 4 classes based on risk. You can trade all of them, but higher-risk items require stricter registration protocols.
- Class I (Low Risk): Bandages, surgical handheld instruments, corrective glasses. (Fastest registration process).
- Class IIa/IIb (Medium Risk): Hypodermic needles, suction pumps, X-ray films, some laser devices.
- Class III (High Risk): Pacemakers, heart valves, implantable defibrillators. (Requires extensive clinical data for approval).
- Class IV (Very High Risk): Devices that directly affect the central nervous or circulatory system.
Trending & High-Demand Niches for 2026:
If you want to specialise, these are the trending categories driving the market:
- Aesthetic & Dermatology: Massive demand for laser hair removal machines, hydrafacial devices, and body contouring (cryolipolysis) equipment.
- Home Healthcare Tech: Remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices, smart insulin pens, and wearable biosensors are seeing massive growth due to the government’s push for digital health.
- Rehabilitation & Mobility: With an ageing population and high medical tourism for ortho/physio, there is a strong market for robotic exoskeletons and advanced physiotherapy equipment.
- Dental Equipment: 3D dental scanners and chair-side milling machines (CAD/CAM) are replacing traditional moulds.
Who is Eligible to Start a Medical Equipment Trading Business in Dubai?
Based on current regulations for 2025, specifically the updates to the Commercial Companies Law and MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention) guidelines, here is who is eligible to start this business.
1. Ownership Eligibility
You do not need a UAE National (Emirati) sponsor to hold 51% of your company shares anymore. Foreign investors of any nationality can own 100% of a Medical Equipment Trading LLC in Dubai Mainland.
2. Professional Staff Requirements
This is the most critical part. While you (the owner/investor) do not need a medical degree, your company must employ a technical expert to get the MOHAP approval. To obtain the mandatory Medical Warehouse License (which allows you to store and distribute goods), you must appoint a qualified person to oversee compliance.
- For Pure Medical Equipment: You typically need to hire a Biomedical Engineer (or sometimes a Pharmacist) licensed by MOHAP/DHA.
- For Consumables/mixed with Pharma: A Pharmacist is strictly required.
3. Business Structure Requirements
You cannot operate this as a freelancer. You must register as a formal corporate entity:
- Mainland LLC (Limited Liability Company): The most recommended structure. It allows you to trade directly with mainland hospitals, clinics, and government entities without intermediaries.
- Free Zone Company: You can set up in a Free Zone (like Dubai Healthcare City or Dubai Science Park), but you cannot trade directly with mainland hospitals. You would need to hire a local distributor to move your goods out of the Free Zone.
4. Facility Requirements
You cannot run this business from a virtual office or your home.
- Physical Warehouse: You must rent a warehouse (or a specialised storage unit) that meets strict Civil Defence and MOHAP safety standards (fire safety, air conditioning, pest control).
- Intermediary: If you do not want to rent a warehouse and hire an engineer immediately, you can contract a Third-Party Logistics (3PL) provider or a licensed local distributor who already has the MOHAP-approved facilities.
Medical Equipment Trading License in Dubai
A Medical Equipment Trading License is a legal permit that allows a business to trade in medical devices, tools, machines, and supplies. This includes everything from diagnostic equipment and surgical instruments to hospital furniture and disposable medical items. Without this license, you cannot operate legally in the UAE healthcare market.
If you choose to set up your business in Mainland Dubai, the license is issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). If you are setting up in a Free Zone, the license is issued by the respective Free Zone authority. In both cases, you will also need approval from healthcare regulators like MOHAP and sometimes DHA, depending on your product type.
How to Start Medical Equipment Trading in Dubai?
Starting a medical equipment trading business in Dubai becomes much easier when you follow a clear process. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
1. Decide Your Business Model & Activities
First, decide what type of medical equipment you want to trade – for example, diagnostic devices, surgical tools, hospital furniture, or disposable supplies. This helps you choose the right activity description and approvals later.
2. Choose the Jurisdiction: Mainland or Free Zone
Next, decide whether you want to set up in:
- Mainland Dubai: Better for trading directly within the UAE market (hospitals, clinics, pharmacies).
- Free Zone: Choose if you want to focus on import–export, warehousing, and international trade.
3. Select a Trade Name
Choose a company name that follows UAE naming rules (no offensive words, no religious references, etc.). Submit it for trade name reservation with the relevant authority (Mainland or Free Zone).
4. Apply for Initial Approval
Submit basic documents like passport copies, shareholder details, and proposed activities to get initial approval from the licensing authority. This confirms that you are allowed to proceed with setting up a medical equipment trading company.
5. Get Healthcare Authority Approvals (MOHAP/DHA, if required)
For many medical devices, you’ll need approvals from:
- MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention)
- And in some cases, DHA (Dubai Health Authority)
At this stage, you may also need to start the product registration process, depending on what you plan to trade.
6. Arrange Office or Warehouse Space
Most licenses require a physical office or warehouse in Dubai. Sign a tenancy contract (Ejari for Mainland) or a lease agreement (in Free Zone), as this is needed to issue your license.
7. Draft and Sign the Legal Documents
Prepare and sign the required legal documents, such as MOA (Memorandum of Association) or Shareholder agreement/incorporation documents (depending on the structure). These documents define the ownership and activities of your company.
8. Obtain the Medical Equipment Trading License
Submit all final documents, approvals, and lease details to the licensing authority. Once everything is approved, your Medical Equipment Trading License will be issued. You can now legally trade medical equipment in Dubai under your company name.
9. Apply for Visas (If Needed)
With your license issued, you can apply for:
- Investor/partner visas
- Employee visas (sales staff, admin, logistics, etc.)
Your visa quota will depend on your license type and office/warehouse size.
10. Open a Corporate Bank Account
Finally, open a corporate bank account in a UAE bank to manage payments, supplier transfers, and daily business transactions. The bank will usually ask for your license, company documents, passport copies, and sometimes a basic business profile.
Regulatory Approvals & Compliance (MOHAP & DHA)
Since these products directly affect patient health and safety, the UAE follows strict rules to ensure only safe and approved equipment enters the market.
What Is MOHAP Approval?
MOHAP (Ministry of Health and Prevention) is the main authority responsible for regulating medical equipment across the UAE. Before you can import or sell most medical devices, your products must be registered and approved by MOHAP. This confirms that your equipment meets UAE safety, quality, and performance standards.
MOHAP approval usually involves checking:
- Product specifications and technical details
- Manufacturer certificates
- Quality and safety compliance
- Country of origin approvals
Without MOHAP registration, you cannot legally trade medical equipment in Dubai.
When Is DHA Approval Required?
DHA (Dubai Health Authority) approval may be required in specific cases, especially if you are supplying directly to Dubai-based hospitals, clinics, or healthcare facilities. DHA focuses on ensuring that the medical devices being used inside Dubai’s healthcare system meet local operational and safety standards.
Not all products require DHA approval separately, but some specialised devices may need both MOHAP and DHA clearance.
Product Registration Is Mandatory
Each medical product must be registered individually under your company name before it can be imported or sold. This includes:
- Diagnostic devices
- Surgical instruments
- Lab equipment
- Home healthcare devices
- Certain disposable medical items
Import Permits & Customs Clearance
After product registration, you also need import permits from MOHAP for each shipment. These permits are required during customs clearance to ensure only approved medical equipment enters the UAE.
Ongoing Compliance & Renewals
Regulatory compliance is not a one-time process. Product approvals, licenses, and permits may need periodic renewal. Authorities can also conduct inspections to ensure your business continues to follow all healthcare trading regulations.
What is the Medical Equipment Trading License Cost in Dubai?
More generally, a trading company license in Dubai can cost AED 15,000 to AED 25,000, depending on business activity, structure, and licensing fees. For a trading license (for medical equipment) in Dubai Mainland, expect to pay around AED 21,395 to AED 30,000.
For Free Zone setup, license fees can vary; some license costs start from somewhere between AED 12,000 and AED 25,000 or more.
Additional Costs to Consider:
- Product registration (with health authorities): For medical devices, registration might carry additional fees – for example, under the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), registering a medical device costs AED 5,000 (plus a small application fee).
- Office/warehouse rent: Many businesses also rent warehouse or office space, depending on size and location; this can add significantly to your upfront investment.
- Visa & employee-related costs: If you plan to hire staff or apply for visas, these will add extra cost depending on the number of visas and services.
- Renewal & ongoing compliance: License renewal, product re-registration (if required), and regulatory compliance can lead to recurring costs.
So, Is Medical Equipment Trading in Dubai Worth It?
Medical equipment trading in Dubai isn’t just another business idea, it’s a chance to step into an industry that genuinely keeps growing. With new hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centres opening every year, the demand for quality medical equipment isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Add Dubai’s smooth import-export system, strong healthcare regulations, and global connectivity, and you’ve got a market that’s both exciting and reliable for long-term business.
Of course, getting started can feel complicated with licenses, approvals, and paperwork in the mix – but you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. All Emirates Setup (AE Setup) takes care of the full journey, from setting up your company and securing your medical equipment trading license to handling MOHAP approvals, visas, and bank account support.
So instead of stressing over processes, you can focus on growing your business, while AE Setup quietly handles the rest in the background.
