Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is activity code 7500.97 and what does it cover
Activity code 7500.97 is the official Dubai business activity code for animal physiotherapy. It falls under ISIC Division 75 — Veterinary Activities and covers rehabilitation, musculoskeletal treatment, and post-surgical recovery services for animals.
Services delivered under this code include hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, therapeutic massage, and structured mobility exercises. Typical clients range from equestrian centres and racing stables to private pet owners seeking injury or post-operative rehabilitation for companion animals.
Which authorities regulate animal physiotherapy in Dubai
Two main authorities are involved. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) issues the commercial licence for mainland operations under activity code 7500.97. Dubai Municipality's Veterinary Services section governs animal welfare compliance and sets facility standards for any premises where animals are treated.
If your practice connects with equestrian clubs or racing stables, the Dubai Sports Council may also require additional approvals, particularly where performance animals are involved. Free zone operators must still comply with Dubai Municipality veterinary standards for any client-facing clinical work conducted on the mainland.
Is an animal physiotherapy licence the same as a veterinary licence
No. Animal physiotherapy is a complementary discipline, legally and operationally distinct from a veterinary licence. Practitioners operate under activity code 7500.97, not under a veterinary practice licence.
However, depending on the scope of treatment — particularly for post-surgical cases — a supervising veterinarian may need to be involved. Practitioners are advised to clarify this boundary directly with Dubai Municipality before commencing operations to ensure full compliance.
How much does it cost to set up an animal physiotherapy business in Dubai
Estimated setup costs range from AED 15,000 to AED 35,000, depending on whether you choose a Dubai Mainland (DED) or Free Zone structure such as Meydan, and whether a physical office or clinic space is required.
Costs typically include licence fees, facility compliance requirements, and document attestation. A fixed clinic or treatment space will also require a facility inspection and clearance from Dubai Municipality before client-facing work can begin, which may add to overall setup time and cost.
How long does it take to obtain an animal physiotherapy licence in Dubai
The typical processing timeline is 2–4 weeks for a free zone licence and 3–6 weeks for a mainland DED licence. These timelines assume all documentation is in order at the point of submission.
Delays can occur if professional qualifications require attestation through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant authority in your home country, or if a facility inspection by Dubai Municipality is required as part of the approval process.
What professional qualifications are needed to apply for this licence
Applicants must hold recognised qualifications in veterinary physiotherapy or animal rehabilitation. These credentials must be formally attested — typically through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant issuing authority in your home country — before they can be submitted as part of the licence application.
The attestation process is a critical step and should be initiated early, as it can extend the overall timeline if not completed in advance of the licence application submission.
Can I operate an animal physiotherapy business from a free zone in Dubai
Yes. Free zone entities, such as those registered under Meydan Free Zone, can hold activity code 7500.97 on their licence. This structure can offer advantages in terms of setup cost and ownership flexibility.
However, a key compliance point applies: any client-facing clinical work conducted on the Dubai mainland must still meet Dubai Municipality veterinary facility standards, regardless of where the company itself is registered. Free zone registration does not exempt practitioners from mainland animal welfare regulations.
When is VAT registration required for an animal physiotherapy business in Dubai
VAT registration becomes mandatory once your business reaches an annual turnover of AED 375,000, as set by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). Businesses approaching this threshold should monitor revenue carefully and register before it is exceeded to avoid penalties.
Voluntary registration is also available below this threshold, which can be beneficial if your clients are VAT-registered businesses that can reclaim input tax. It is advisable to consult a UAE tax adviser to determine the most appropriate approach for your specific business model.
Animal Physiotherapy License in Dubai
Dubai has a lot of pets and a world-class equestrian scene. Both need people who can rehabilitate animals after injury or surgery, and there are not many of them.
If you are a qualified practitioner moving here, or an investor who has spotted the gap, the route to licensing is clear. This guide covers what the work involves, who sets the rules, what it costs, and how long it takes under activity code 7500.97.
Key Stats at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Activity name | Animals Physiotherapy |
| Activity code | 7500.97 |
| ISIC code | Division 75, Veterinary Activities |
| License type | Professional or commercial |
| Where you can set up | Dubai mainland (DET) or a free zone such as Meydan Free Zone |
| Typical setup time | 2–4 weeks (free zone); 3–6 weeks (mainland) |
| Estimated setup cost | AED 15,000 to AED 35,000, depending on route and premises |
| Who regulates you | DET for the license; Dubai Municipality for animal welfare |
| Extra approvals | Dubai Sports Council, where performance animals are involved |
| Premises | A compliant clinical or stable space; a virtual office will not do |
| Qualifications | Attested credentials in veterinary physiotherapy or animal rehabilitation |
| VAT registration point | AED 375,000 yearly turnover |
| License renewal | Every year |
Sources: Invest in Dubai; Federal Tax Authority (FTA)
What the License Covers
Activity code 7500.97 sits under ISIC Division 75, Veterinary Activities. It covers rehabilitation, muscle and joint treatment, and recovery work after surgery. This is skilled clinical work, not general pet care.
The treatments you can offer include:
- Hydrotherapy
- Electrotherapy
- Therapeutic massage
- Structured mobility and exercise programmes
Who Your Clients Will Be
- Equestrian centres and racing stables
- Private veterinary clinics
- Zoo facilities
- Pet owners whose animal is recovering from injury or an operation
How It Differs From a Vet License
This is not a veterinary license
Animal physiotherapy sits alongside veterinary practice as a separate discipline, with its own activity code. Depending on what you treat, a vet may need to supervise, and that is most likely with post-surgical cases. Ask Dubai Municipality where the line sits for your kind of work before you start.
Who Sets the Rules
The license
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) issues the commercial license for mainland work under activity code 7500.97.
Animal welfare
Dubai Municipality's Veterinary Services section covers animal welfare and sets the standards for any premises where animals are treated. If you run a fixed clinic or treatment space, you need a facility inspection and clearance before you see clients.
Performance animals
If your work touches equestrian clubs or racing stables, the Dubai Sports Council may want its own approval.
Qualifications
Your credentials in veterinary physiotherapy or animal rehabilitation must be attested, usually through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the issuing body in your home country. Start this early. It is the single most common cause of delay.
A point for free zone companies
You can hold activity code 7500.97 on a free zone license. But any clinical work you do with clients on the mainland still has to meet Dubai Municipality standards. Where you registered the company makes no difference to that.
VAT
You must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) once yearly turnover passes AED 375,000. You can register below that voluntarily, which helps if your clients are VAT-registered businesses.
Mainland or Free Zone: Which One Suits You
Mainland license
This gives you the widest reach. You can work directly with government-linked equestrian centres, veterinary hospitals, and racing authorities, with no limits on who you take on.
Free zone license
Meydan Free Zone supports activity code 7500.97 and gives you 100% ownership, simpler setup, and lower upfront cost. It fits a mobile practice, where you go to stables, clinics, and homes rather than treating animals at your own site.
How to decide
Ask yourself one question: are you visiting clients, or hosting them? If you are visiting, a free zone company usually makes more sense on cost.
[blockCTACostCalculator]
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Get your papers ready first and this runs in a straight line. Delays nearly always come from unattested qualifications or unclear premises.
- Step 1, pick your route: Mainland with DET for the widest scope, or a free zone such as Meydan Free Zone for lower cost and full ownership.
- Step 2, book your trade name: Confirm activity code 7500.97 is approved where you are setting up before you commit to anything.
- Step 3, get your papers ready: Attested qualifications, passport copies, a No Objection Certificate if you already work in the UAE, and a business plan if the authority asks for one.
- Step 4, apply for initial approval: Send this to DET or your free zone authority. If you are running a fixed site, apply to Dubai Municipality for veterinary clearance at the same time rather than after.
- Step 5, sort your premises: Treating animals normally needs a proper clinical space, a stable, or somewhere attached to a veterinary site. A virtual office will not meet Dubai Municipality rules for this activity.
- Step 6, collect the license: Then open a company bank account and register for VAT if you need to.
Allow 2 to 4 weeks in a free zone, or 3 to 6 weeks on the mainland once municipality approvals are counted in.
Costs and Ongoing Duties
Renewal
The license is renewed every year. If you run a fixed clinic, budget for Dubai Municipality inspection fees at renewal too. They are small, but a lapsed facility approval stops you working.
Staff
Hiring means following Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) rules. Mainland companies have Emiratisation targets based on headcount and business type. Free zone companies have more room, though MOHRE rules still apply to anyone on a mainland work permit.
Insurance
Professional indemnity cover is not always required, but get it. You are treating high-value performance animals and post-surgical cases, and clients will expect it.
The Market Opportunity
Invest in Dubai reports that the pet care and equestrian sectors keep growing, and specialist rehabilitation is still thin on the ground compared with demand. IMARC Group tracks the wider UAE veterinary services market if you need figures for a business case.
A mobile model cuts your overheads a lot. Visiting stables and clinics rather than running your own treatment site keeps costs down while you stay fully compliant.
Conclusion
Animal physiotherapy is a real business in Dubai under code 7500.97, with a clear route through DET or a free zone, subject to Dubai Municipality rules on animal welfare. For a qualified practitioner who gets the paperwork in order early, setup is simple.
Speak to a business setup adviser to confirm which route fits how you plan to work, and to check your qualifications will pass attestation before you apply.
[blockCTAContact]
