Skip to content

Company forms

Free Zone Company: FZE, FZCO and FZ-LLC

Each free zone authority licenses its own companies. The common forms are the FZE with a single shareholder and the FZCO with two or more; shareholders can be individuals or companies of any nationality.

Updated October 2026 · Figures checked 21 October 2026

Shareholder in an FZE
11
Shareholder in an FZE
Shareholders in an FZCO
2+1
Shareholders in an FZCO

Free Zone Company: FZE, FZCO and FZ-LLC

The forms

  • FZE (free zone establishment): one shareholder, an individual or a company.
  • FZCO (free zone company): at least two shareholders, individuals or companies.
  • Free zone LLC, called FZ-LLC in some zones: two to 50 shareholders, no public offer of shares.
  • Branch of a UAE or foreign company, legally part of its parent.

Source: Dubai.ae: Business set-up options1

Limits to know

A free zone company trades freely inside its zone and abroad. To sell goods or services on the UAE mainland it needs a licensed mainland distributor, a mainland branch or company, or the licences the emirate requires; Dubai issues a permit for this.2

Sources

  1. Dubai.ae: Business set-up options
  2. UAE Government Portal: Running a business in a free zone

Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.

Next step

Get It Set Up Properly

Business setup consultants, PRO agents, lawyers and tax advisers who work with foreign investors, in the Invest-Emirates.ae directory.

Browse the Directory 2026 Fact Sheets