How to Block Unwanted Telemarketing from Real Estate Agents in the UAE

Promotional phone calls are a daily nuisance for many residents of the United Arab Emirates. To better protect consumers from unwanted marketing, the telecoms authority TDRA launched the Do Not Call Registry (DNCR).

This list helps to completely block telemarketing and gives residents more peace and control over their communications.

What you need to know about the DNCR and how it works

The DNCR is a nationwide service that has been active in the UAE since September 2022. Residents can register their number to block all forms of unsolicited marketing, such as phone calls, SMS, and emails. Once your number is on the list, companies are no longer allowed to contact you, even if you gave permission previously. This applies to calls from both business landlines and mobile numbers, including the private phones of individual salespeople.

Anyone who does not comply with the rules and still makes promotional calls to registered numbers risks suspension of their telecoms services and can be reported to the authorities. Since August 2023, the policy has been tightened: no marketing calls may be made to a DNCR-registered number.

How to register your number and what you will still receive

Registration is free and simple.

• For e& (formerly Etisalat) customers, this can be done via the official website.
• Du users can register via the app, their account portal, or by sending an SMS with “Block” or “DNCR” to 1012. For landlines, this must be done via a mobile number linked to the same account.
• Virgin Mobile users can manage everything via the settings in the app under “Manage third-party calls”.

After registration, your number remains protected indefinitely. You can always remove it yourself later. You will still receive important messages from your provider, such as about your subscription or service disruptions, but promotional calls are effectively blocked. This allows you to maintain control over who can call you.