Skip to content
Empty startup office with desks in Dubai

Tools and Calculators

Company Setup Cost Estimator

Free zone licences start from AED 5,555 a year in Ajman Free Zone. On the mainland the licence fee is small, AED 790 in Abu Dhabi, but you need premises. Choose a route, add visas and see the first-year cost.

Updated October 2026 · Figures checked 6 November 2026

Ajman Free Zone package without visa, a year
AED 5,5551
Ajman Free Zone package without visa, a year
Abu Dhabi economic licence, to issue
AED 7906
Abu Dhabi economic licence, to issue

Company Setup Cost Estimator

The calculator

Company setup cost estimator

Where

Estimated first-year cost

—

Breakdown

Figures checked November 2026. A guide only, not tax, legal or financial advice.

Sources for the calculator

  1. Ajman Free Zone: All-inclusive packages
  2. SPC Free Zone: Pay-as-you-go business setup
  3. RAKEZ: Instant licence
  4. RAKEZ: All-inclusive business set-up
  5. Masdar City Free Zone: Licence and registration
  6. Dubai Legislation: Executive Council Resolution No. 13 of 2011 approving fees of the Department of Economic Development
  7. WAM: ADDED details reduced economic licence fees in Abu Dhabi
  8. Sharjah Economic Development Department: Services and fees
  9. Ras Al Khaimah Executive Council: Resolution No. 6 of 2026 on Economic Development Department service fees
  10. MOHRE: Recruiting a worker from overseas
  11. GDRFA Dubai: Green residence service
  12. ICP: Issue a new ID card
  13. MOHRE: The basic health insurance scheme
  14. Dubai Land Department: Register or renew a tenancy contract

How the calculation works

  • Free zone: the zone's published licence package, plus its published visa price for each visa not in the package.
  • Mainland: the licensing department's own fees, the office rent you enter and, for each visa, the MOHRE work permit by company category, residence, Emirates ID and basic health insurance.

Source: Ajman Free Zone: All-inclusive packages; SPC Free Zone: Pay-as-you-go business setup; RAKEZ: All-inclusive business set-up; Masdar City Free Zone: Licence and registration; Dubai Legislation: Executive Council Resolution No. 13 of 2011 approving fees of the Department of Economic Development; WAM: ADDED details reduced economic licence fees in Abu Dhabi; MOHRE: Recruiting a worker from overseas1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Not included: the medical test, document attestation, bank account minimum balances, accounting and any approvals your activity needs from a sector regulator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to set up a company in the UAE?

Among the published packages we checked, the lowest is Ajman Free Zone at AED 5,555 a year without a visa, with a coworking lease included. Each visa adds its own cost, and the right zone depends on your activity.

Sources

  1. Ajman Free Zone: All-inclusive packages
  2. SPC Free Zone: Pay-as-you-go business setup
  3. RAKEZ: All-inclusive business set-up
  4. Masdar City Free Zone: Licence and registration
  5. Dubai Legislation: Executive Council Resolution No. 13 of 2011 approving fees of the Department of Economic Development
  6. WAM: ADDED details reduced economic licence fees in Abu Dhabi
  7. MOHRE: Recruiting a worker from overseas

Figures checked 6 November 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. Not tax, legal or financial advice.

Next step

Turn the Numbers into a Plan

Accountants, property brokers, setup agents and immigration advisers in the Invest-Emirates.ae directory can check your case.

Browse the Directory Add Your Company Free