Setup Costs: Mainland and Free Zone
Free zone: published packages
| Free zone | Licence package | AED a year |
|---|---|---|
| Ajman Free Zone | No visa, coworking lease included | 5,555 |
| SPC Free Zone, Sharjah | No visa, selected activities | 5,750 |
| RAKEZ | Basic package, coworking access | 6,000 |
| RAKEZ | All-inclusive, with 1 visa | 14,000 |
| Masdar City Free Zone | Startup package | 7,000 |
| DMCC | Licence fee only, before registration and office | 20,285 |
Source: Ajman Free Zone: All-inclusive packages; SPC Free Zone: Pay-as-you-go business setup; RAKEZ: Instant licence; RAKEZ: All-inclusive business set-up; Masdar City Free Zone: Licence and registration; DMCC: Schedule of charges1,2,3,4,5,6
More zones, and the visa costs on top, are on the free zone costs page.
Mainland: government fees
| Emirate | Licence | Other fees |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | AED 600 to issue or renew | Initial approval AED 100; trade name AED 200; commercial register AED 200 |
| Abu Dhabi | AED 790 to issue, AED 890 to renew | Trade name AED 50; each added activity AED 100 |
| Sharjah | 8% or 13% of the lease, depending on the activity | Each added activity AED 300; printing AED 300 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | AED 400 to AED 10,000, by licence category | E-commerce website licence AED 3,000 |
Source: 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; Sharjah Economic Development Department: Services and fees; Ras Al Khaimah Executive Council: Resolution No. 6 of 2026 on Economic Development Department service fees7,8,9,10
These are the licensing department's own fees. Other authorities, such as the municipality, civil defence or a sector regulator, may charge their own fees for some activities.
Other first-year costs
- Premises: a mainland licence needs a registered lease. In Dubai, Ejari registration costs AED 177.75 online.
- Health insurance: employers pay for staff cover; the basic package costs AED 320 a year per employee.
- Selling on the Dubai mainland from a free zone: a permit costs AED 5,000 for six months.
Source: Dubai Land Department: Register or renew a tenancy contract; MOHRE: The basic health insurance scheme; Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism: Free zone companies can operate on the mainland12,13,11
Budget for visas, an office or desk, bank account minimum balances and accounting as well. They often cost more than the licence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to set up a company in the UAE?
Published free zone packages start from AED 5,555 a year without a visa. On the mainland, the licence fee itself is AED 790 in Abu Dhabi and AED 600 in Dubai, but premises, visas and other approvals add to the total.
Sources
- Ajman Free Zone: All-inclusive packages
- SPC Free Zone: Pay-as-you-go business setup
- RAKEZ: Instant licence
- RAKEZ: All-inclusive business set-up
- Masdar City Free Zone: Licence and registration
- DMCC: Schedule of charges
- 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
- Sharjah Economic Development Department: Services and fees
- Ras Al Khaimah Executive Council: Resolution No. 6 of 2026 on Economic Development Department service fees
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism: Free zone companies can operate on the mainland
- Dubai Land Department: Register or renew a tenancy contract
- MOHRE: The basic health insurance scheme
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.