Call centre agents in the UAE: costs, licences and how to order
A call centre agent in the UAE is usually hired through a provider, and the price depends on the licence and set-up that the provider needs. A licence package for service activities in a Dubai free zone starts from about AED 12,000 a year, and a small call centre set-up can cost AED 140,000 to AED 450,000 in its first year. Describe your calls in a request on BlaBlaPrice to get offers from businesses that run them.
Approximate costs in United Arab Emirates, November 2026 (licensing advisers' websites)| Item | Cost |
|---|
| Free zone licence package, per year | from AED 12,000–20,000 |
| Mainland professional licence, Dubai (licence only) | AED 12,000–18,000 |
| Mainland licence with an office | AED 15,000–25,000 and more |
| Small call centre set-up, year one | AED 140,000–450,000 |
Licence and what it covers
A call centre business needs a licence for service activities, which can be obtained in a free zone or on the mainland. Free zone packages include the licence fee, and mainland costs rise once an office is added. Compare the total, not only the licence fee, and ask each provider which costs are included in its price.
Rules to check before you sign
UAE guides for call centres cover telecom rules, data protection, call recording and outbound calling rules. Ask the provider how it records calls, where customer data is stored and how it follows outbound calling rules. The contract should name who is responsible for each of these points.
Languages, hours and seats
Customer lines in the UAE are commonly answered in English and Arabic, so name the languages your callers need and whether the agents must speak Arabic. Give the hours of cover and the number of seats. Salary and hourly rates per agent are not part of this price table, so the offers will show what the provider charges for the service.
Season and climate
The UAE is hot from May to September, and an office with many seats needs strong air conditioning in that period, which is part of the running cost. The mild months from November to March are the easiest time to open a new site or move an office.
What to write in your request
State the type of calls (sales, support or appointments), whether they are inbound or outbound, the working language, the schedule and the number of seats. Add your budget per month in AED, and say whether you need the provider to hold the licence or the office.
On BlaBlaPrice you describe the job in a chat for free. Providers reply with their price and terms in their offer, and your contacts stay hidden until you decide to exchange them. If you need chat support rather than calls, see Live chat agent, or send your request from the home page.
Questions and answers
How much does a call centre licence cost in Dubai?
A free zone licence package for service activities starts from about AED 12,000 to 20,000 a year, including the licence fee. On the mainland, the licence alone costs about AED 12,000 to 18,000.
What is the difference between a free zone and a mainland licence?
Free zone packages start from about AED 12,000 to 20,000 a year, while mainland licences cost AED 15,000 to 25,000 or more once an office is included. Compare the total cost, not only the licence.
Which rules matter for calls?
Telecom rules, data protection, call recording and outbound calling rules. Ask the provider how it meets each of them before you sign.
What should my request include?
The type of calls, the languages, the schedule, the number of seats and your monthly budget in AED.
