By Bill Anderson, Senior Valuation Advisor & RICS Associate — Assetica, Dubai, UAE
This guide covers EBITDA multiples by industry, DCF methodology, UAE-specific valuation factors, and how to calculate your business value in Dubai in 2026.
UAE Business Valuation Multiples by Industry (Assetica, 2026)
| Industry | EBITDA Multiple | Revenue Multiple |
|---|---|---|
| Technology & SaaS | 8x – 15x | 3x – 8x |
| Financial Services | 6x – 12x | 2x – 5x |
| Healthcare & Medical | 6x – 10x | 1.5x – 4x |
| Real Estate & Property | 5x – 10x | 1x – 3x |
| Manufacturing | 4x – 8x | 0.5x – 2x |
| Retail & E-commerce | 3x – 7x | 0.3x – 1.5x |
| Professional Services | 4x – 8x | 1x – 3x |
| F&B & Hospitality | 3x – 6x | 0.5x – 1.5x |
| Logistics & Transport | 4x – 7x | 0.5x – 1.5x |
| Construction | 3x – 6x | 0.3x – 1x |
Step 1: Gather three years of audited financial statements. Step 2: Calculate normalised EBITDA (adjust for one-off items and owner costs). Step 3: Apply the appropriate industry EBITDA multiple. Step 4: Cross-check with a revenue multiple. Step 5: Deduct net debt to arrive at equity value. Step 6: Obtain a certified report from Assetica for legal or regulatory purposes.
Business value in Dubai is also affected by: trade licence type (mainland vs free zone); UAE corporate tax position (9% since June 2023); DIFC/ADGM regulatory standing; visa and labour compliance; customer base composition (local vs international); and real estate assets held in the UAE.
How much is my business worth in Dubai?
A Dubai business is typically valued at 3x–6x annual EBITDA for profitable service businesses, or 1x–3x annual revenue for early-stage companies. Most SMEs in Dubai are valued between AED 500,000 and AED 50 million. Technology and SaaS businesses achieve the highest multiples (8x–15x EBITDA).
What is the minimum business value for UAE Golden Visa?
The minimum business value for the UAE Golden Visa investor category is AED 2,000,000 (approximately USD 545,000). This must be confirmed by an independent certified valuation report accepted by the GDRFA or ICA.
What businesses are worth the most in Dubai?
Technology and SaaS companies (8x–15x EBITDA), financial services and fintech (6x–12x), healthcare (6x–10x), and real estate businesses (5x–10x) command the highest multiples in Dubai.