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Business Setup & Licensing

Dubai Business Setup Cost 2026: Budget Categories and Fees

There is no single Dubai business setup cost. This guide gives a cost-category table and tells you where to get each official figure.

BA
Bilal Ahmad · Updated · 4 min read
Aerial view of Downtown Dubai and Sheikh Zayed Road lit up at night
Downtown Dubai and Sheikh Zayed Road from above at night
In this article
  1. What does it cost to start a business in Dubai?
  2. What determines mainland setup cost?
  3. What determines free zone setup cost?
  4. Which costs do founders overlook?
  5. Are setup packages really all-inclusive?
  6. How does corporate tax affect the budget?
  7. How can I keep costs down safely?
  8. Can foreigners own 100% of a Dubai company?
  9. Official sources

Dubai business setup cost has no single figure, because it depends on the jurisdiction, the activity, your premises, your visas and the approvals you need. This guide lists the cost categories to budget for and explains why quotes that look similar often cover different things.

What does it cost to start a business in Dubai?

AED package prices are not listed here, because none could be confirmed on an official page and prices change often. Use this table as a budget list. Amounts vary by case, so get a written figure for each line.

Cost categoryWhat drives the amountWhere to get the figure
LicenceActivity, licence type, jurisdictionDET or the free-zone authority
Trade name and registrationName, legal formSame authority
Initial and external approvalsRegulated activitiesThe approving body
Office or premisesLocation, size, lease terms, depositLandlord or free-zone package
Visas and Emirates IDNumber of people, categoryImmigration channels
Medical and insurancePeople covered, cover levelInsurers and clinics
Company documentsLegal form, shareholdersAuthority and legal advisers
Bank account and accountingBank terms, bookkeeping needsBanks and accountants
Agent or consultant feesScope of workWritten quotation
Year-two renewalAuthority fee scheduleAuthority
Professional taking notes at a desk during a business meeting
Documents and notes on a desk during a business meeting

What determines mainland setup cost?

Mainland companies are licensed by DET. The fee depends on the licence type and the activities chosen, so two mainland businesses can get different quotes. Other costs come from the legal form, trade name, premises, activity approvals and any immigration services. See DET business licensing.

Do I need an office?

It depends on the licence and activity. The Invest in Dubai licensing service describes a normal licence, which involves a memorandum of association and site lease documents, and other licence types with different premises rules. Confirm the premises requirement with the authority before you sign a lease.

What about the E-Trader licence?

The E-Trader licence is a home-based licence for freelancers and online sellers. It is limited to sole establishments and needs approval from the TDRA. Its current fee could not be verified, so check the fee on the Invest in Dubai trade licence service.

What determines free zone setup cost?

Each free zone sets its own packages, so there is no Dubai-wide price. When you compare quotes, check:

  1. Which free-zone authority issues the licence.
  2. The permitted activities.
  3. Whether registration and licensing are included.
  4. What office or desk is included.
  5. The number of visas allowed and whether immigration fees are included.
  6. The renewal fee for year two.
  7. Charges for changing activities or shareholders.

A free-zone company that wants to trade on the mainland may need a permit or branch licence from DET. Our mainland vs free zone guide covers the options.

Office window looking out over Dubai and the Burj Al Arab
View over Dubai and the Burj Al Arab from an office window

Which costs do founders overlook?

  • Residence for owners and staff. A licence does not automatically include a residence visa. For investor routes, see our Dubai investor visa guide.
  • Medical fitness and Emirates ID may be charged separately.
  • Health insurance for employees and residents where required.
  • Office extras: deposits, utilities, fit-out and furniture, plus tenancy registration (including tenancy registration).
  • Regulated-sector approvals such as healthcare, education or food.
  • Banking. A licence does not guarantee a bank account; see our corporate bank account guide.

Are setup packages really all-inclusive?

"All-inclusive" has no standard meaning. Ask for a written quote that says whether it includes government fees, registration, trade name, documents, visa allocation, residence fees, medical, Emirates ID, insurance, premises and renewal. A consultant's fee is separate from the authority's charges.

Dubai skyline with the Burj Khalifa reflected in the water at night
Dubai’s skyline at night, with the Burj Khalifa rising above the water

How does corporate tax affect the budget?

Corporate tax is separate from licence fees. Under the UAE regime, taxable income up to AED 375,000 is taxed at 0% and income above that at 9%, with special rules for qualifying free-zone persons. The threshold applies to taxable income, not sales, and does not remove registration or filing duties. Read our UAE corporate tax guide and the UAE Government corporate tax page.

How can I keep costs down safely?

  • Choose only the activities you need.
  • Compare first-year and renewal cost, not promotional prices.
  • Do not rent premises that do not fit your licence conditions.
  • Plan visas for people you actually need now.
  • Get government fees from the authority's own quote or voucher.

Can foreigners own 100% of a Dubai company?

For most mainland activities, yes. Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020 opened full foreign ownership, with exceptions for activities classed as strategic impact. Free-zone ownership rules are set by each authority. See the UAE Government page on full foreign ownership.

Official sources

Related guides: Dubai trade name reservation, UK businesses relocating to Dubai.

#Setup costs

Official sources

B
Bilal AhmadEditor-in-Chief

Part of the Dubai Times editorial team.

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