Free zone license cost in the UAE (2026)

Free zone prices are quoted as packages, and the package name is where most of the confusion starts. A headline price usually covers the licence and registration. Whether it also covers a desk, a visa allocation or the establishment card depends on the zone and the package, so two quotes that look AED 5,000 apart may not be comparing the same things.

This page shows the typical market range, the published starting price for ten zones, and how the total moves when you change the office. The figures are October 2026 benchmarks, not quotes. Government fees and package terms change, and some activities need extra approvals, so ask for the inclusions in writing.

Published starting prices for ten free zones

Starting price is the lowest published package for each zone. What it includes (desk, visa allocation, establishment card) differs by zone, so compare inclusions, not headlines. Zone pages under /free-zones give the detail.

Free zone company setup cost by office type

The office is the biggest swing factor once the licence is chosen. These totals are for one owner with one residence visa and cover the licence (AED 6,500–15,000), the visa (AED 3,400–6,500), the establishment card (AED 1,500–2,500), the office, and setup support (AED 1,500–3,500).

• {'Flexi desk or virtual office (AED 0–3,000)': 'about AED 12,900–30,500'}
• {'Shared or co-working office (AED 6,000–15,000)': 'about AED 18,900–42,500'}
• {'Private office (AED 25,000–60,000)': 'about AED 37,900–87,500'}

What changes the price of a free zone license

• Activity type. Commercial and trading activities can add AED 1,000–3,000 in approvals; industrial activities AED 3,000–8,000
• Number of shareholders. Each extra shareholder typically adds AED 1,000–2,500
• Number of visas. Each extra residence visa adds about AED 3,400–6,500, so three visas add roughly AED 6,800–13,000 over one
• Zone and emirate. Northern emirate zones tend to list lower starting prices than Dubai zones, but the location suits some businesses better than others

Optional add-ons on top of the licence

Many owners also buy bank account opening support (AED 1,500–3,500), corporate tax registration (AED 500–1,500), VAT registration (AED 1,000–2,500), annual PRO services (AED 3,000–6,000) and first-year bookkeeping (AED 6,000–18,000). Taking all five adds about AED 12,000–31,500. None of them is a government licence fee, so you can compare providers on each line.

Can a free zone company sell in Dubai mainland?

UAE government guidance says free zone companies can trade within the zone and internationally, but selling locally needs either a licensed mainland distributor or a mainland branch or company. The same guidance says goods imported into a free zone face 0% duty and become subject to UAE customs duty when they move into the mainland market.

If most of your customers are in Dubai, price the mainland route too before choosing on licence cost alone.

Free zone companies and corporate tax

Free zone businesses are within the scope of UAE corporate tax. The Federal Tax Authority says a Qualifying Free Zone Person can benefit from a 0% rate on Qualifying Income, while profit from a permanent establishment elsewhere in the UAE or abroad is taxed at 9%. Whether your income qualifies depends on your activity and customers. This is general information, not tax advice.

How to compare free zone quotes

1. 1

   Fix the activity and number of visas first

   Both change the licence package and approvals, so quotes only compare once they match.

2. 2

   Ask what the headline price includes

   Desk, visa allocation, establishment card, registration and service fees, each on its own line.

3. 3

   Ask for the year-two price

   Some first-year offers renew at a different amount.

4. 4

   Check where your customers are

   If you will sell onshore, add the distributor or mainland licence cost to the comparison.

Things to weigh up

• A low starting price is not a total cost. Visas, desk, establishment card and renewal are separate lines in many packages.
• Starting prices come from published package listings and may change; confirm with the zone or your provider.
• A free zone licence does not by itself let you sell directly to mainland customers.
• Some activities, such as financial services, are regulated and carry their own approvals and fees.