Free zones & prices
UAE free zones and company setup costs
Starting prices, who each jurisdiction suits and what to watch for, in one place. Then get an exact written quote for your activity.
What it costs to start, by jurisdiction
- Most requested
Dubai
IFZA
Starting from
AED 12,900*
Typical market starting price
- 100% foreign ownership
- Multiple activities on one licence
- Flexi-desk packages available
Dubai
Meydan Free Zone
Starting from
AED 12,500*
Published by the authority
- Fully online application
- Licence in as little as one working day
- Dubai address at Meydan
- Best value
Ras Al Khaimah
RAKEZ
Starting from
AED 6,000*
Typical market starting price
- Some of the lowest licence costs in the UAE
- Co-working, offices, warehouses and land
- Over 50 business sectors
Sharjah
SHAMS
Starting from
AED 5,750*
Published by the authority
- Licence issued quickly online
- Hundreds of activities
- Packages with or without visas
Sharjah
SPC Free Zone
Starting from
AED 6,875*
Typical market starting price
- Wide choice of activities
- Fast online setup
- Packages with visas
Ajman
Ajman Free Zone
Starting from
AED 5,565*
Typical market starting price
- Low licence costs
- Close to Dubai and Sharjah
- Offices, warehouses and flexi desks
- Premium
Dubai
DMCC
Starting from
AED 35,000*
Published by the authority
- Globally recognised free zone
- Strong banking reputation
- Address in Jumeirah Lakes Towers
Dubai
DIFC Innovation Licence
Starting from
USD 1,500*per year
Typical market starting price
- Subsidised fees for early-stage companies
- Common-law jurisdiction
- Access to the DIFC ecosystem
Dubai
Dubai Mainland (DET)
Starting from
AED 18,000*
Typical market starting price
- Trade across the whole UAE market
- 100% foreign ownership for most activities
- Visa quota linked to office size
*Indicative authority fees seen in October 2026; they change often. Excludes our service fee, visas, office, medical, insurance and VAT. We confirm current fees in writing before you commit.
Side-by-side comparison
| Jurisdiction | Emirate | Starting from | Office | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | Dubai | AED 12,900* | Flexi desk available | Consultancy and professional services |
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | AED 12,500* | Flexi desk available | E-commerce and digital businesses |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,000* | Flexi desk available | Budget-conscious start-ups |
| SHAMS | Sharjah | AED 5,750* | Flexi desk available | Media, marketing and creative work |
| SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | AED 6,875* | Flexi desk available | Publishing and online content |
| Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | AED 5,565* | Flexi desk available | First-time founders on a budget |
| DMCC | Dubai | AED 35,000* | Flexi desk available | Commodities, gold and diamond trading |
| DIFC Innovation Licence | Dubai | USD 1,500* per year | Flexi desk available | Tech and fintech start-ups |
| Dubai Mainland (DET) | Dubai | AED 18,000* | Physical office (Ejari) | Retail, restaurants and contracting |
*Indicative authority fees seen in October 2026; they change often. Excludes our service fee, visas, office, medical, insurance and VAT. We confirm current fees in writing before you commit.
How to choose
- 01
Where are your clients?
If you will sell directly to UAE customers or government, mainland is usually the right structure. For international clients and online business, a free zone is often simpler and cheaper.
- 02
How many visas do you need?
Visa allowances depend on the package and office type. Each visa adds an establishment card (once) and per-person costs such as medical, Emirates ID and insurance.
- 03
What will the bank ask?
Banks look at your activity, shareholders and where you will trade. We prepare a bank-ready file whichever jurisdiction you choose.
Ready to start?
Book a free consultation. You will receive a clear written quote before anything begins.