Table of Contents
Topic Summary
Why Dubai Needs Personal Care Services Now
Dubai's multinational population, shifting family structures, and government social policy are creating strong demand for licensed elderly and disabled care services. The combination of population growth, policy mandate, and community need makes this a stable and growing market segment.
Meydan Free Zone Offers a Fast Setup Route
Registering through Meydan Free Zone gives operators 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, and full profit repatriation. The fully digital licensing process makes it one of the most cost-effective entry points into the Dubai market.
Know Exactly What Services Are Covered
Activity code 8810.98 covers home-based assistance with daily living, mobility, needs assessment, care planning, ongoing case management, and community outreach. Residential care and clinical health services fall under separate codes and are not included.
Third-Party Approval Is a Required Step
Before a trade licence is issued, your facility, operational model, staffing, and regulatory documentation must be reviewed and cleared by the relevant authority. Building this approval process into your timeline from the start will prevent costly delays.
National Policy Is Actively Backing This Sector
The UAE's We the UAE 2031 vision and the National Policy for Empowering People of Determination have embedded social welfare and inclusion into the national agenda. This policy backing creates government and community referral flows that support stable operator demand.
This Opportunity Suits a Broad Range of Founders
The sector is well suited to social-sector investors, practitioners such as social workers and counsellors, and international social-care brands or NGOs seeking a licensed Dubai presence. Each group benefits from a clear regulatory pathway and consistent community need.
How to Start Elderly and Disabled Personal Care Services Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A personal care service for elderly and disabled persons providing home-based assistance with daily living, mobility, and personal needs, serves a growing segment of Dubai's community and social services market.²
Dubai's multinational population, changing family structures, and government social policy are driving demand for licensed personal care service for elderly and disabled persons services.³
For operators, this segment benefits from a clear regulatory pathway, government and community referral flows, and stable demand.²
That combination of population growth, policy mandate, and community need is exactly where the opportunity lies.
Sources: UAE Ministry of Community Development, Dubai Community Development Authority, Dubai Media Office, Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan launch
The UAE has embedded social welfare, family support, and inclusion into its national agenda through We the UAE 2031 and the National Policy for Empowering People of Determination.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Social-sector investors | Groups deploying capital into community services, family support, and social-care infrastructure in Dubai. |
| Practitioners and founders | Social workers, counsellors, and community-development professionals building licensed service operations. |
| International social-care brands | Global NGOs, family-services organisations, and social enterprises establishing a licensed Dubai presence. |
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone means 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, full profit repatriation, and a fully digital licensing process, giving you a fast and cost-effective route into the Dubai market.
8810.98 - Elderly & Disabled Personal Care Services
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed personal care service for elderly and disabled persons providing home-based assistance with daily living, mobility, and personal needs.
Services are delivered under regulatory oversight with qualified practitioners and appropriate operational standards.²
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Services | Primary delivery. Home-based assistance with daily living and related core services. |
| Assessment and Planning | Needs assessment. Client assessment, care or support planning, and outcome measurement. |
| Ongoing Support | Continuing services. Multi-session or ongoing support, follow-up, and case management. |
| Community Outreach | Awareness and access. Community engagement, awareness programmes, and service accessibility. |
| Professional Development | Quality and training. Staff training, quality improvement, and best-practice development. |
There are some things this activity does not cover. Residential care and clinical health services fall under separate codes.
Services outside the defined scope of personal care service for elderly and disabled persons are classified under their respective codes.
In short: if you are operating a licensed personal care service for elderly and disabled persons, you are in. If you are running a hospital, a residential facility, or an unlicensed service, you are not.
Compliance
THIRD-PARTY APPROVAL
This activity requires pre-approval from the DHA (Dubai Health Authority) before a business license can be issued by Meydan Free Zone.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
References
- ¹ UAE Ministry of Community Development
- ² Dubai Community Development Authority
- ³ Dubai Media Office, Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan launch
