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Dubai Free Zone company setup costs

Dubai Free Zone company set-up costs
Co-Founder & CEO movingo
Editor
Author
Iakov Kukushkin
Copywriter, Journalist
Feb 25, 2025
One of the most popular ways to open a business in the UAE is through Free Zones. These are jurisdictions where companies can get exempt from paying Corporate Tax. This option is great for exporters, tech startups, and international businesses.

In this article, we'll talk about how to start a new business in Dubai and how much it costs.

First things first: what is a Free Zone?

Free Zones are special jurisdictions with zero taxes for up to 50 years for businesses that meet the special criteria. These are the best places for running startups or international businesses. With all the pros, these zones do have some cons. The main one is that you're limited to operating within the Free Zone or internationally.

There are over 40 Free Zones across the UAE, each caters to specific industries, providing tailored support and world-class infrastructure. Popular zoones for starting business are Dubai Airport Free Zone and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The full list is here.

What are the benefits of opening a company in a Free Zone compared to Mainland?

  • 100% foreign ownership: You do not need a local sponsor.
  • 0% Corporate & income tax: Companies often do not have to pay taxes, if they meet certain conditions.
  • Full profit repatriation: You can transfer all profits back to your home country without restrictions.
  • Easy business setup: The process is streamlined with minimal paperwork.
  • No import and export duties.
Sounds good, right? It's no surprise that about 300,000 new companies get registered in Dubai yearly. Many of them choose to set up shop in the Free Zones.

There are 50+ Free Zones in the UAE. How to select the right one for you?

Choosing the right Free Zone is crucial for your business success, so careful research is essential. Here is a useful history of your clients that you should know before start. Names and locations have been changed to protect their privacy.
Omar's idea was to start a business in a Free Zone. He initially got advice from another company to register it in Zone X, which he did. The business took off quickly. But after a year, he hit a snag: strict hiring quotas limited his staff. So he opened a second company in Zone Y, where the rules were more relaxed, for more hiring.

When Omar decided to shut down his first business in Zone X and relocate everything to Zone Y, he ran into some serious problems with the liquidation process. We helped him get through it, but it definitely wasn't easy.

If he'd been more careful about where to start, he could've avoided headaches, saved time and money, and grown the business more efficiently.
So how do you choose the right place to start? Here are a few key factors to consider:

  • Industry-specific Free Zones: Some Free Zones specialize in specific industries. For example, Dubai Internet City (DIC) is ideal for technology companies, while DMCC is ideal for trading companies. We'll tell you what's best for your business.
  • Location & facilities: Free Zones vary greatly in their offerings. Some excel in warehouse facilities, while others may have none at all. Some provide modern office spaces, and others focus on flexible coworking environments. Choose the one that best matches your operational needs.
  • Cost & budget: Free Zones vary in affordability. Review all fees carefully and watch out for hidden costs that may arise later—remember that unusually low prices often come with drawbacks.
  • Visa quotas: Free Zones have different visa allocation policies that can impact your hiring plans like in the case we’ve described above. Seek expert guidance to understand your visa requirements and options.

You’re ready to go. Here’s your company formation step by step guide

Basically, there are a few things you need to do to start a new business in Dubai.

1. Make a draft: Write a detailed business description or a business plan for your future company.
2. Turn it into a masterpiece: Send us this description by email so we can study it and clarify the details.
4. Choose a jurisdiction: We'll find the best Free Zone for you based on your goals and the information we have in our database on all the Free Zones in the UAE.
5. Activity selection: We'll come up with a list of activities that your company can do together. This is important because you'll need a separate business license for each activity you do.
6. Company name registration: We will help you choose a company name that complies with local naming regulations and reserve it for you.
7. Get a license: After we've gathered all the documents and submitted the application, we'll arrange the business license for you. We can also help you find office space if needed.
8. Additional consultations: We'll give you free advice on taxes, reporting, bookkeeping, and just running your business in general, so you don't get scared when you start.
Thanks to our massive database of all jurisdictions in the UAE, we can help you find the best one for your business and take care of all your paperwork. Why don't we give each other a call and see how we can work together?

How much does it cost to open a company in a Free Zone?

The setup cost will depend on a few things, like which Free Zone you choose, what kind of license you need, and so on. Here's a rough outline of your future costs:

  • Business license fee: Depending on the Free Zone and business activity. Aprox. AED 10,000 — AED 50,000 per year.
  • Registration fee: AED 5,000 to AED 15,000 (one-time cost for company registration).
  • Office rent: Starts from AED 7,500 per year for a flexi-desk; private offices can cost much more.
  • Visa costs: Around AED 3,500 to AED 7,000 per visa, including processing and medical tests.
  • Bank account opening & other fees: May cost around AED 2,000 to AED 5,000 depending on the bank and service provider.
Startup
from $3,000
100% ownership
coworking space
meeting room access
1-2 residency visas
1 hour free tax consultation
up to 3 free business activities
business bank account
business address
Corporation
from $10,000
unlimited number of residency visas
up to 7 free business activities
100% ownership
company office
business address
free WPS registration
free CT registration
free VAT registration
1 hour free tax consultation
1 hour free business landing consultation
express business bank account
Medium Business
from $6,000
1 hour free business landing consultation
express business bank account
free CT registration
1 hour free tax consultation
up to 5 free business activities
100% ownership
coworking space/fixed desk
meeting room access
business address
2-10 residency visas, VIP Medical & express fingerprints
We've helped over 400 companies relocate to the UAE, so let us calculate the cost for you. If it suits you, the button is below. 😉

It’s time to make your dream come true and start your business

At movingo, we make starting a business simple — as our 400+ satisfied clients can attest. Here's what we deliver:
  • The perfect Free Zone tailored to your business needs
  • Streamlined visa processing for you, your family, and your team
  • Complete statutory documentation handled with precision
  • Quick payment processing within 2 days of incorporation through our partner
Our dedicated consultants handle everything from start to finish.

Beyond setup, we're here to support your ongoing success with comprehensive accounting and legal services. Ready to explore how we can help bring your business vision to life? Let's schedule a call.

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