A UAE veterinary clinic needs MOCCAE initial approval, a final licence from its emirate's authority and a Ministry-licensed vet present whenever it treats animals. MOCCAE Resolution 27/2026, issued on 11 February 2026, replaces the old clinic rules, and Federal Decree-Law 21/2025 has governed veterinary medicines since 1 January 2026.
This guide is for clinic owners, medical directors and practice managers, including mobile services.
What changed in 2025 and 2026?
Federal Decree-Law No. (21) of 2025 on veterinary medical products and veterinary pharmaceutical establishments came into force on 1 January 2026. It repealed Federal Law No. (9) of 2017 on veterinary products (Article 93(1)). Anyone it covers must regularise within one year of entry into force, unless the Cabinet extends it (Article 89).
Its main regulator is the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), which took over veterinary products from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) under Federal Law No. (2) of 2025. MOCCAE and the emirate's authority keep defined roles.
MOCCAE issued Ministerial Resolution No. (27) of 2026 (English text via FAO FAOLEX) on 11 February 2026. It sets health and technical requirements for veterinary establishments and repeals Ministerial Resolution No. (618) of 2009. It enters into force three months after Gazette publication (Article 7). Existing establishments then have 12 months to reconcile their status.
MOCCAE's Ministerial Resolution No. (34) of 2026, issued on 20 February 2026 and also read from FAOLEX, replaced Articles 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the executive regulation of Federal Law No. (10) of 2002. We could not confirm either Gazette date, so this guide gives no in-force or reconciliation end date. Confirm both with MOCCAE.
Who licenses the clinic, the vets and the medicines?
Under Federal Law No. (10) of 2002 on practising the veterinary profession, nobody may practise as a vet or veterinary assistant unless MOCCAE has licensed and registered them (Article 2(1)). A facility gets initial approval by decision of the Minister, then its final licence from the emirate's authority under local law (Article 10(1)).
MOCCAE's MR 34/2026 adds the conditions: a business licence from the emirate, the technical and health requirements, all biosecurity requirements for the activity and a Ministry-licensed vet as manager. The licence lasts one year and is renewed each year with the approval of MOCCAE and the emirate's authority. Our guide to biosecurity as a management system covers the principles.
Vets hold their own one-year MOCCAE licence under Ministerial Resolution No. (62) of 2025. MR 34/2026 sets four paraprofessional classes (veterinary assistant, technician, laboratory technician and nurse), all supervised by a licensed vet at the facility.
In Dubai, Dubai Municipality is the emirate's authority. Its clinic requirements document, DM-PHSD-VCS-TGL-05 Release 06, was revised on 4 April 2024. It predates MR 27/2026, so check for a newer release.
In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Media Office reported on 19 December 2025 that ADAFSA had issued a resolution on veterinary practice. Establishments need a licence before any veterinary activity and prior ADAFSA authorisation to appoint vets or allied professionals, and fines double for a repeat within a year. In Sharjah and the northern emirates, ask your emirate's authority, which issues the final licence.
Any activity subject to nuclear regulation, such as X-ray, needs a FANR licence first (MR 27/2026 Article 2).
Which clinic type does your licence allow?
Appendix 1 of MOCCAE's MR 27/2026 sets four clinic types (primary, specialised, "comprehensive" and mobile), and you may practise only what your type allows. A primary clinic treats pets and ruminants and does minor surgery without overnight stays. It needs a reception area, an examination, treatment and minor surgery unit, and at least one Ministry-licensed vet.
A specialised clinic serves one target species, may do all surgery and may house sick animals with round-the-clock monitoring. It adds surgery and sick-animal housing units, and needs at least two licensed vets specialised in its practices and species. A "comprehensive" clinic treats all species except horses and camels, with the same mandatory units and at least two licensed vets. A mobile clinic must belong to a fixed clinic or hospital and works within that facility's licence.
Only a clinic equipped and licensed for it may house sick animals (FL 10/2002 Article 14 BIS). The fine for breaking that rule is AED 10,000 to 150,000 (Article 19 BIS (7)). A layout change, added unit, relocation or change of activity needs prior approval from MOCCAE and the emirate's authority (MR 27/2026 Article 2).
Farms are outside this guide. Our guide to the 2024 rules for animal production units covers them.
What records must you keep, and for how long?
Appendix 2 of MOCCAE's MR 27/2026 lists six records for clinics and hospitals:
- an electronic case record, from owner and species to diagnosis and treatment
- an electronic register of anaesthetic and controlled drugs, with batch and doses
- a register of products received, dispensed and expired
- a numbered prescription book or electronic prescription form
- a record of rodent and insect control
- a record of hazardous medical waste disposal
The first three must be kept for at least 3 years. FL 10/2002 Article 17 and FDL 21/2025 Article 41 set one year for prescriptions and sale records. MR 27/2026 already requires 3 years for the dispensing register, so keeping prescriptions for 3 years too is the simplest rule.
MR 27/2026 Article 2 also requires a medical report to the owner, with the diagnosis, procedures and medicines with doses. It requires written consent before any procedure.
What do inspectors check on medicines?
Under MOCCAE's MR 27/2026 Article 2, a clinic uses only products registered with or authorised by the EDE. Every purchase and sale needs an invoice with batch, production and expiry dates and quantity. Free samples may not be sold, and products stay in their original packaging unless split for immediate use.
Expired stock sits in a marked area for no more than 6 months past expiry before documented disposal. FDL 21/2025 Article 48 routes disposal through a company authorised by the emirate's authority, or through the manufacturer.
FDL 21/2025 Article 41 bans antibiotics without a prescription, and bans them for prophylaxis, immunity enhancement or growth promotion. The text does not say whether perioperative use counts as prophylaxis, so ask the EDE or your authority. Controlled substances follow Federal Decree-Laws No. (30) of 2021 and No. (38) of 2024 (Article 49).
Clinics and vets report to the EDE under Article 54(3). Serious adverse events are due as soon as known and within 5 days, with follow-up within 15 days. Non-serious events are due within 90 days. Recall complaints and quality defects are due within 15 days, and suspected fraud or illicit trade immediately.
What else does an inspector ask to see?
We found no published enforcement cases, so this list comes from the rule texts.
| Check | Rule and issuer | Evidence to show |
|---|---|---|
| A licensed vet present whenever services are given | MR 27/2026 Article 2 (MOCCAE) | Rota matched to vet licences |
| Staff licences current | FL 10/2002 Article 2(1), MR 62/2025, MR 34/2026 (MOCCAE) | Each licence on file |
| Leavers notified | MR 62/2025: within one month of a vet leaving (MOCCAE) | Notification copies |
| Appointments in Abu Dhabi | ADAFSA resolution, December 2025 | Prior ADAFSA authorisation |
| Suspected epidemic or contagious disease reported immediately | FL 10/2002 Article 15, MR 27/2026 Article 2 (MOCCAE or the emirate's authority) | Report with time and recipient |
| Cold storage | MR 27/2026 Appendix 2 (MOCCAE) | Fridge thermometer and recorded temperatures |
| Chemicals and waste | MR 27/2026 Appendix 2 (MOCCAE) | Cabinets with SDS displayed, labelled sealed containers, a disposal route |
| Surgery under anaesthesia | FL 16/2007 Concerning the Protection of Animals, Article 8 | Anaesthesia record |
FL 10/2002 sets the penalties MR 27/2026 relies on. Practising without a licence carries imprisonment of at least one year, a fine of AED 10,000 to 200,000, or both (Article 19). An owner who employs an unlicensed vet or paraprofessional faces AED 10,000 to 200,000 (Article 19 BIS (6)).
How AGS can help
The UAE Veterinary Clinic Compliance & Quality Management System has 243 documents in editable Microsoft Word and Excel. It includes a Veterinary Compliance and Quality Manual, a Compliance Master Register and three matrices linking requirements to documents, evidence and inspection questions.
It has five consent forms, covering treatment, surgery, anaesthesia, euthanasia and estimates. It also has controlled substance, antimicrobial stewardship and pharmacovigilance procedures, and three inspection checklists. Its local content covers Dubai only, and it holds no drug doses.
Frequently asked questions
Can a vet work at more than one clinic?
No. MR 62/2025 allows one facility at a time, and a temporary transfer to another facility needs MOCCAE approval. A paraprofessional needs MOCCAE approval and must notify the emirate's authority (MR 34/2026).
Can we send samples to a laboratory abroad?
Only with prior MOCCAE permission (FL 10/2002 Article 17 BIS (2)). Collecting or storing blood, serum, tissue or cell samples also needs EDE authorisation, except for artificial insemination (MR 27/2026 Article 2).
Can a clinic sell pets or run adoptions?
No. MOCCAE's MR 27/2026 Article 2 bars adopting, selling or trading live animals or their products.
AGS provides independent documentation toolkits. This guide and the referenced kit are not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by MOCCAE, the Emirates Drug Establishment, Dubai Municipality, ADAFSA or any other UAE authority. It is general information, not legal or veterinary advice. What applies depends on your emirate, clinic type and the dates MOCCAE confirms.
Reviewed October 2026. Facts checked against the sources current at publication.
