ESTABLISHED BUSINESS • SVETLANA TATAUROVA
How to buy an established business in Dubai: due diligence before the deal
What to check before buying an operating business in Dubai: license, finances, taxes, lease, assets, team and client base.
Author: Svetlana Tataurova · Updated: 2026-09-04
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First determine exactly what you are buying
The transaction may include company shares, individual assets, equipment, lease rights, a brand, or the operating business as a whole. Before discussing price, fix the transaction structure: it determines the review of liabilities, transfer procedure and required documents.
Check the company and the license
Verify the legal name, Dubai Unified Licence, active business activities, license validity, shareholders and the seller's authority. The official Invest in Dubai portal allows searching for a company by name or DUL number. For regulated sectors, authorizations for the entity and specialists are confirmed separately.
Check the financial model, not just turnover
Request bank statements, management reports, contracts, invoices and confirmations of major expenses. Reconcile revenue with cash records and bank statements, check service margins, payroll, rent, liabilities and seasonality. Turnover without proven profit does not explain the real value of the business.
Clarify the tax and legal status
Check registration and reporting for Corporate Tax and VAT, accrued liabilities, fines and changes to tax information. The Federal Tax Authority of the UAE requires updating registration details when changes occur. Tax and legal due diligence before the deal should be performed by specialized licensed professionals.
Review the lease, personnel and assets
Clarify the possibility of transferring or extending the lease, debts to the landlord and utilities, employee visas and contracts. For equipment obtain an inventory, serial numbers, title documents, condition, service history and proof of no encumbrances.
Verify whether clients will remain after the sale
The number of contacts in the CRM is not equal to the active client base. Assess repeat visits, recency of last purchase, average ticket, lead sources, consents for data processing and client dependence on the former owner or individual specialists.
Document the transfer of the business
The contract and its attachments should list assets, liabilities, accesses, documents, stock levels, payment stages and conditions of the transition period. Before the final settlement it is useful to prepare a 30–90 day plan: team, marketing, finances, service and monitoring of key indicators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a company in Dubai be checked online?
Yes. The official Invest in Dubai portal offers a search by business name or Dubai Unified Licence number. This is a basic check, but it does not replace financial, tax and legal due diligence.
Which financial documents should you request from the seller?
Bank statements, management reports, tax documents, contracts, invoices, POS data, payroll, rent and a breakdown of liabilities. Numbers should be reconciled against one another.
What is the most dangerous thing to miss when buying?
Hidden liabilities, inability to transfer the lease or license, revenue dependence on a single person and an unverified client base.
Is a business plan needed for an already operating business?
Yes. After verifying actual metrics you need a development plan: post-deal investments, break-even point, marketing, team and scenarios for the first months.
Official sources
Invest in Dubai — official company and DUL search
Federal Tax Authority — change of tax registration details
Federal Tax Authority — VAT registration
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