HOSPITAL DESIGN LICENSE IN DUBAI- WHAT YOU MUST KNOW
Dubai Health Authority(DHA) has launched the Dubai Health Strategy 2026 that focuses on health and lifestyle, service delivery, governance and sustainability. The city is taking every bold step to establish itself in world class health care. In this scenario, setting up a hospital in Dubai is a promising opportunity that requires good planning, compliance with a set of legal approvals at different stages to obtain various licenses and a large capital. The construction and design of the physical structure of a hospital require the hospital design license from the Dubai Municipality and other relevant authorities before even starting the construction of the hospital.
The population of Dubai is growing at a very rapid pace. The government officials are launching healthcare-friendly initiatives, which trigger huge openings and opportunities in the healthcare sector. Tax advantages make it easier to do business in Dubai compared to other regions. Dubai is paving the way to becoming a medical tourism hub creating excess demand in cosmetic, orthopedic, fertility, and cardiology services. With this supportive environment, acquiring a hospital design license would be a wise step for entrepreneurs looking to enter the health care sector in Dubai.
IS A HOSPITAL DESIGN LICENSE MANDATORY IN DUBAI
The Dubai government maintains a strict legal system where compliance to the legal procedures has no room for shortcuts and negotiation. A hospital design license ensures that the hospital is designed in accordance with the city’s standard for safety, functionality and patient care without any compromise. No hospital will be permitted to proceed with the construction until qualified for this license. This license is a critical step taken by the authorities to ensure the health care in Dubai is advancing towards world class standards.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO GET A HOSPITAL DESIGN LICENSE IN DUBAI
Getting approval for a hospital design license is a time consuming process. It includes approvals from different government entities like DHA, Dubai Municipality, Dubai civil defence, and DEWA. each of them has its own review timelines. The design approval alone may take up to 2-4 months. Knowing the exact steps to follow will save your valuable time and avoid confusion.
1. Hire a Health Facility Design Consultant (HFDC) Approved By DHAThe very first step is to hire a health facility category 2 consultant. They prepare and submit the initial drawings. These consultants are trained following the DHA health facility guidelines and are responsible to make sure that your hospital plans meet all the technical and safety requirements.
2. Register On Sheryan PortalThis stage allows DHA to issue an Initial Facility Approval, which is mandatory before proceeding to detailed design. Once a consultant has been appointed, file a registration application through the Sheryan portal. This is DHA’s digital licensing platform where you will be asked to submit details of your hospital like:
Type of hospital (whether general, speciality, surgical or any other kind)
Range of services available
Bed capacity and room layouts
Major healthcare roles
An initial facility approval will be issued by the DHA after verifying these documents.
3. Prepare A Design According To The GuidelinesAfter the initial approval, the design consultant creates a complete architectural and functional hospital plan. It consists of:
Functional layout of departments
Emergency escape routes, fire safety systems
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) plans
Infection control zones and patient movement pathways
Accessibility standards for people of determination
Room Data Sheets (RDS) and Room Layout Sheets (RLS)
It should be noted that these designs must strictly adhere to DHA’s HFG (Health Facility Guidelines) which covers the spatial, clinical and safety standards required for all health facilities in Dubai.
4. Submit the Design for ReviewThe full set of drawings is then submitted through the Sheryan portal for DHA review. This includes architectural blueprints, technical specifications, and functional zone diagrams. DHA reviews the designs for:
Compliance with regulations
Clinical functionality
Fire and life safety
Infection prevention
Patient flow and staff access
If revisions are needed, the documents will be returned to your consultant for amendment.
5. Acquire DHA Final Design ApprovalOnce the DHA is satisfied with the design, it grants final design approval. This is a green light to begin construction. At this stage, the design becomes a binding reference for all future inspections and approvals.
6. External Permits And ApprovalsIn addition to DHA, approvals must be secured from other Dubai authorities.
Dubai Municipality: for building permits and occupancy certificates
Dubai Civil Defence(DCD): for fire safety design and compliance
DEWA: for the uninterrupted supply of electricity and water
FANR: if your hospital has radiology and nuclear medicine departments, approval from FANR should be secured
Department Of Economic Development (DED): they provide commercial licenses
Dubai HealthCare City Authority (DHCA): if your hospital is located within Dubai Healthcare City, then you need to acquire approval from DHCA
7. Proceed To ConstructionOnce these steps are successfully completed, construction can begin. The building must be constructed exactly as per the drawings approved by the authorities. Any alterations or changes could lead to delays in getting license or even rejection of the final inspection. Design consultants and contractors must go hand in hand and maintain high standards of quality and regulatory compliance.
8. Final InspectionAfter the construction is complete, comes the DHA’s final inspection. The things they will verify are:
Equipment installed properly
Clinical functionality of each area
Emergency exits and safety systems
Infection control and hygiene standards
Patient accessibility
9. The Hospital Facility LicenseThis is the step where you will finally receive the official Hospital Facility License. You will be allowed to begin the operational licensing process like staffing, medical equipment registration and service delivery to patients.