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Invest in the UAE: Make a Better-Informed Move

Independent guides, checked figures and a directory of companies for investors setting up a business, buying property or moving to the United Arab Emirates.

Choose Your Investment Path Browse the Business Directory

The UAE at a glance · Checked October 2026

Why Invest in the UAE
Corporate tax on taxable income above AED 375,000 (0% below)
9%
UAE Government Portal
Corporate tax on qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person
0%
Federal Tax Authority
Standard VAT rate, in force since 1 January 2018
5%
UAE Ministry of Finance
Free zones offering 100% foreign ownership
40+
UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism
Minimum capital for a 10-year investor Golden Visa
AED 2m
UAE Government Portal
Annual taxable supplies above which VAT registration is mandatory
AED 375,000
Federal Tax Authority

Start here

What Brings You to the UAE?

Four guided paths, each with the numbers, the steps and the people who can help you finish.

Latest news

UAE Business and Investment News

All News
A modern stone and glass government building in Abu Dhabi with a wide plaza in front Finance and Markets

UAE Central Bank holds its base rate at 3.9%

The CBUAE kept the rate on its Overnight Deposit Facility unchanged after the US Federal Reserve held its interest on reserve balances rate.

News sections: Economy Investments FDI in the UAE Real Estate Free Zones Energy Finance and Markets Tech and AI Stock Market Trade and Logistics Policy and Regulation Tourism

UAE Business Directory

Where UAE Companies Meet International Investors

Find business setup consultants, lawyers, accountants, recruiters and specialist suppliers by emirate, city and free zone. Every company has a profile in English and Arabic, and listing is free.

Companies
379
Emirates
7
Listing
Free
Popular: Business setup in Dubai Lawyers in Dubai Lawyers in Abu Dhabi Accountants in Dubai Real estate agents in Dubai Recruitment in Dubai

Browse by Category

All categories and subcategories →

Do you run a company in the UAE?

It may already be listed. Find it and take it over with your work email, or add it free in a few minutes.

Find Your Company Add Your Company Free Become a Featured Member →
US$48.2bn FDI inflows, 2025

01 Why the UAE

Why Invest in the UAE

No income tax on individuals, 100% foreign ownership of most mainland companies, more than 40 free zones and a growing network of trade agreements. Each advantage is set out with current figures and their sources.

All Reasons to Invest
9% Corporate tax on taxable income above AED 375,000

02 Business & Tax

Doing Business in the UAE

Mainland, free zone or offshore: company forms, trade licences, corporate tax, VAT, banking and the capital markets, explained for foreign founders and investors.

Business and Tax Guide
40+ Free zones in the UAE

03 Free Zones

Choosing a Free Zone

How free zones work, what a licence costs, how many visas each office option allows and which zone suits your activity, with a finder, a comparison table and a map.

UAE Free Zones
AED 2m Minimum public investment or property value

04 Residency

Living and Working in the UAE

Golden Visa, Green Visa, employment and investor visas, family sponsorship, schools and the cost of living: who qualifies, the documents, the fees and the official source for each.

Residency Routes
AED 3.8tn Non-oil foreign trade, 2025

05 Sectors

The UAE’s Industries and Sectors

Seventeen sector profiles, from oil and gas, renewables and manufacturing to logistics, finance, tourism and AI, with output, targets, the main players and what is changing.

Explore the Sectors
AED 917bn Value of Dubai real estate transactions in 2025

06 Real Estate

Buying Property in the UAE

Freehold areas, the buying process in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, fees, mortgages, rental yields and offices, and how property can lead to a Golden Visa.

Real Estate Guide
1971 2 December, the Union is declared

07 About the UAE

Get to Know the UAE

Key facts, the Union of 1971, public holidays and Ramadan hours, business etiquette, traditions, food and famous Emiratis: the country behind the numbers.

About the UAE

Sectors

Where the Opportunities Are

All 17 sectors

Investor tools

Run the Numbers Before You Fly In

Corporate Tax Calculator

0% up to AED 375,000 · 9% above

AED 1,000,000

Corporate tax

AED 56,250

Effective rate

5.6%

After corporate tax

AED 943,750

Individuals pay no income tax on dividends. Small Business Relief, Qualifying Free Zone Person status and the 15% domestic minimum top-up tax for large groups can change the result. Information only, not tax advice. Corporate tax guide and sources · Checked October 2026

  1. 01 Residency Pathfinder Every main route to residency side by side: who qualifies, the official threshold, how long it lasts and whether you need a sponsor.
  2. 02 Which Free Zone? Finder Start from what your business needs, such as the lowest entry cost or many visas on a small desk, and see which free zones to compare first.
  3. 03 Compare Free Zones Eleven free zones side by side: emirate, focus, published entry price, visas and the office rule.
  4. 04 Free Zones Map The seven emirates on one map, with the main free zones in each.
  5. 05 Salaries by Role Monthly base salaries for 2026, role by role, from the Robert Walters Middle East Salary Survey.

Emirates and locations

Seven Emirates. 27 Cities and Towns to Compare.

Compare the Emirates

City guides

Location guides

The library

Answers With Their Sources

Every figure in the guides links to its official source and shows the month it was checked.