Cost of opening a clinic in Dubai the budget structure line by line

Why there is no single number

A dental clinic with X-ray, a GP clinic and a laser-heavy aesthetic clinic of the same size have very different budgets. The biggest variables are usually premises, fit-out, equipment and the payroll you carry before revenue. Authority fees change, so take them from DHA, DET or the free zone directly.

One-off costs before opening

• Trade licence (DET or free zone) and DHA facility licensing fees
• Premises: rent, often paid by cheques in advance, security deposit, agency fee, Ejari
• Design by a DHA prequalified consultant, Civil Defence and other approvals
• Fit-out to the DHA Health Facility Guidelines: hand-wash stations, ventilation, clean and dirty utility, sterilisation, accessible design
• Medical equipment and devices; FANR authorisation if you install X-ray
• EMR connected to NABIDH, IT, phone system and CRM
• Initial consumables, medicines and furniture

Staff costs before the first patient

• Professional licensing per person: verification, assessment, registration and activation, depending on the title
• Visas, Emirates ID, medical tests and mandatory health insurance for staff
• Malpractice insurance for every licensed professional, paid by the facility under UAE law
• Payroll for staff hired before activation: licensed staff are usually hired ahead so the licence can activate with the facility
• Recruitment fees and relocation support if you hire from abroad

Running costs for the first 6-12 months

• Payroll with commission, usually the largest line
• Rent and service charges
• Marketing to fill the schedule, with DHA approval for advertising materials
• Consumables, device service and software
• Time and effort for credentialing with insurance companies if you plan to accept insured patients
• A cash reserve for a slow ramp-up: plan for the slow scenario, not the expected one

How to build the budget

• Get written quotes for premises, fit-out and equipment before committing
• Tie each hire date to its licence date, not to the fit-out date
• Build three scenarios: slow, expected and fast fill of the schedule
• Recheck the budget after the DHA initial approval, when the design and staffing are fixed

How we help

We build the staffing part of the budget with real Dubai salary levels, plan hiring in the order licences allow so you do not pay idle payroll, and recruit the team. After opening we set up CRM so revenue can be checked against the plan. Recruitment fee: one month's salary of the placed employee, 50% when they start and 50% after probation, with a free replacement within 2 months. Consulting and CRM projects are priced after a free review.