Who is required to register on goAML in the UAE real estate sector?
Every real estate broker and agent licensed in the UAE, including those operating in commercial free zones, is classified as a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP) and must register on the goAML platform run by the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit. Registration is mandatory for any brokerage that concludes a purchase or sale of property for a customer, regardless of the firm’s size or transaction volume.
Registration on goAML is the gateway to meeting your reporting obligations. Once enrolled, the firm must appoint an AML compliance officer, build a full AML/CFT programme, and use the portal to submit Suspicious Transaction Reports, Real Estate Activity Reports and other required filings. Failure to register exposes the business to administrative penalties and possible suspension of activity.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 20 — no person may carry on a DNFBP activity without registration or enrolment with the competent authority or supervisor.
· MoE Circular No. 1/2021 — confirms real estate brokers and agents are DNFBPs that must register on goAML and appoint a compliance officer.
For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.