Compare UAE Free Zones 2026: Prices, Visas, Offices and Law

Eleven zones side by side

Eleven zones side by side
Free zone	Emirate and focus	Published entry price	Visas on entry option	Office rule
DMCC	Dubai; commodities, trading, technology	Licence AED 20,285 a year plus setup fees	1 on the Jumpstart package	Registered office in DMCC required
Meydan Free Zone	Dubai; multi-sector	From AED 12,500	Up to 6, AED 1,850 each	Flexi desk included
IFZA	Dubai; multi-sector	Tailored proposal after a consultation	0 to 3	No physical office for basic packages
DIFC	Dubai; financial services, common law	Innovation Licence flexi desk USD 500 a month	Up to 4 on the first desk	Physical presence mandatory
ADGM	Abu Dhabi; financial services, English common law	Varies by licence	3 per dedicated desk, Tech Startup Licence	Physical presence required; hot desks not accepted
Masdar City Free Zone	Abu Dhabi; clean energy, technology	AED 7,000 Startup package	1 on Business One (AED 17,500)	Flexi desk lease in visa packages
SPC Free Zone	Sharjah; multi-sector	AED 5,750, selected activities	Unlimited, paid per visa	Up to 5 activities and 100 shareholders per licence
Shams	Sharjah; media and creative	AED 5,750 media package	Up to 12 on a shared desk	Shared desk facility
Ajman Free Zone	Ajman; multi-sector	AED 5,555, no visa	1 on the Starter package (AED 13,131)	Coworking lease included
UAQ Free Trade Zone	Umm Al Quwain; multi-sector	AED 8,000, no visa	2 on the AED 13,500 package	Personalised quote from the zone
RAKEZ	Ras Al Khaimah; multi-sector and industrial	AED 6,000 basic package	1 on a flexi desk	A leased facility is mandatory

Source: DMCC: Schedule of charges; DMCC: Set up a new business; Meydan Free Zone: Company setup cost breakdown; IFZA: Support for startups; IFZA: Set up your business; DIFC: Innovation Licence setup guide; ADGM: Setting up FAQs (Tech Startup Licence); Masdar City Free Zone: Licence and registration; SPC Free Zone: Pay-as-you-go business setup; Shams: Cost calculator; Sharjah Media City (Shams): Home; Ajman Free Zone: All-inclusive packages; UAQ Free Trade Zone: Start a business as a non-resident; RAKEZ: Instant licence; RAKEZ: FAQs^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16}

Entry prices are not like for like: some include an office lease or a visa, some exclude VAT, and several are limited-time offers. Use them to shortlist, then ask each zone for a written first-year and renewal quote.

What every free zone has in common

A Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% corporate tax on qualifying income and 9% on the rest, subject to substance, audited accounts and the de minimis limit.
In Dubai, a free zone company can trade on the mainland with a Department of Economy and Tourism permit of AED 5,000 for six months.
ADGM applies English common law directly through its own courts.

Source: Federal Tax Authority: Basic tax information bulletin, Free Zone Person; Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism: Free zone companies can operate on the mainland; ADGM Courts: The English common law system^18,17,8

Frequently Asked Questions

Which UAE free zones use common law?

The two financial free zones: DIFC in Dubai and ADGM in Abu Dhabi, which applies English common law directly through its own courts.

Sources

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.

Compare UAE Free Zones