How Much Does a Commercial Cost in Dubai? 2026 Price Guide

Short answer: at CEMA, a short-form ad reel starts from AED 4,000, a single commercial spot with talent, locations and full post-production starts from AED 7,000, and a multi-asset campaign (a TV commercial plus social cut-downs, product films and stills) typically runs AED 35,000 to 120,000+. The biggest cost drivers are the number of shoot days, talent and usage rights, locations, and how many versions you need. If you don’t need a physical shoot, a realistic AI video ad starts from AED 3,000.

We’ve been making ads since 2012, and at CEMA since 2018, for brands including LaLiga, Bridgestone and MBC Action. This guide is based on how we actually price ad and commercial productions in Dubai, so you can plan a realistic budget before you brief anyone.

Commercial video prices in Dubai (2026)

Those are starting points, not packages. Two “30-second commercials” can differ in cost by a factor of five, because the price isn’t set by the length of the ad. It’s set by what it takes to film it.

What actually drives the cost

• Shoot days. The single biggest factor. Every extra day adds crew, equipment, location and catering costs. A tight script that fits into one day protects your budget more than any discount.
• Talent and usage rights. Models and actors are paid for the shoot and for how the ad is used: which channels, which countries, and for how long. TV and outdoor usage costs more than organic social.
• Locations and permits. Studios, villas, restaurants and outdoor spots all have fees. Filming in public places in Dubai usually needs a permit from the Dubai Film and TV Commission, which also takes lead time.
• Crew size and equipment. Cinema cameras, lighting, drones, special rigs and art department scale with the ambition of the concept.
• Post-production. Editing, colour grading, sound design, music licensing, motion graphics, VFX and voice-over. Complex VFX or licensed music can be a big line on its own.
• Versions and deliverables. Each extra aspect ratio, hook, cut-down or language version is extra editing time. Planned before the shoot, they’re cheap. Added after, they cost more.
• Rush timelines. Compressing a schedule means more people working in parallel, and that costs more.

Hidden costs to ask about before you sign

Most budget surprises come from things that weren’t written down. Before you approve a quote, check that it answers these questions:

• Usage rights: where can you run the ad, and for how long? Are TV, outdoor and paid YouTube included?
• Talent buyouts: are model and actor fees included for your full media plan, or only for organic social?
• Music: is the track licensed for paid ads, or only for organic posts?
• Permits and location fees: included, or billed separately?
• Revision rounds: how many are included? (At CEMA, two rounds of feedback are standard.)
• Versions: which formats and languages are in the price?
• Raw footage: do you get it, and is there a fee?

Five ways to get more from your budget

1. Shoot once for every platform. Plan cinema, vertical and square framing into the same shoot. It typically cuts total cost by 30–50% compared with shooting each platform separately.
2. Film Arabic and English in the same day. Bilingual voice-over and on-screen text cost far less when they’re planned upfront.
3. Capture stills on set. Campaign photography from the same location and talent saves a second shoot.
4. Lock the script before the shoot. Most overruns start with ideas that change on set.
5. Use AI for variants. Film the hero ad for real, then create seasonal versions, extra hooks and cut-downs with AI ad production, at a fraction of a second shoot.

What to include in your brief for an accurate quote

• What you’re advertising, and the one thing the ad must make people do.
• Where it will run: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, TV, cinema or outdoor.
• Your launch date, and any fixed deadline (Ramadan, Eid, DSF, a product launch).
• Language: Arabic, English, or both.
• A budget range. It doesn’t limit the creative; it lets us propose the strongest idea you can actually afford.
• Two or three reference ads you like, and why.

Our 60-second brief form asks exactly these questions and sends your answers straight to our WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 30-second TV commercial cost in Dubai?

At CEMA, a single commercial spot with talent, locations and full post-production starts from AED 7,000. Larger TV commercials with several locations, a bigger cast or broadcast usage rights usually fall in the AED 35,000 to 120,000+ range, especially when they include social cut-downs and stills.

Do I need a filming permit in Dubai?

Filming in public locations in Dubai usually requires a permit from the Dubai Film and TV Commission, and private locations need the owner’s permission. A production company normally handles this for you as part of pre-production, so allow time for it in your schedule.

What is included in the price of a commercial?

A complete quote should cover concept and script, pre-production, crew and equipment, locations, talent, editing, colour grading, sound design, music and the agreed deliverables and usage rights. At CEMA, every package also includes two rounds of feedback.

Is an AI ad cheaper than filming a commercial?

Usually, yes. An AI ad removes crew, locations, talent and reshoot days, so CEMA’s AI video ads start from AED 3,000. A real shoot is still the better choice when the ad depends on real people, real places or your product in use on camera.

Planning a campaign? See how we produce ads and commercials in Dubai, or compare the numbers in AI ads vs traditional production.

Sources: Dubai Film and TV Commission · Dubai filming permit rules (Khaleej Times)