UAE Company Setup Cost Calculator
Before you sign anything — see your Year 1 cost, renewal fees, and 5-year total across every major UAE free zone.
Configure your setup details
Select a zone, enter visas and office type to see your costs
Ejemplos prácticos
Solo freelancer — SHAMS, 1 visa, flexi desk
A freelance digital marketer sets up through SHAMS. License AED 5,500–7,500, establishment AED 2,000, 1 visa AED 3,000–4,000, flexi desk AED 2,000–3,000, health insurance AED 650. Year 1 total: approximately AED 13,150–17,150. Bank account easy to open. Revenue AED 280,000 → Small Business Relief applies → 0% corporate tax.
Small team — DMCC, 3 visas, shared office
A commodity trading firm sets up in DMCC for credibility with international partners. License AED 18,000–22,000, establishment AED 2,000, 3 visas AED 12,000–16,500, shared office AED 12,000–20,000, health insurance AED 1,950. Year 1 total: approximately AED 45,950–62,450. Bank account easy. Revenue AED 4M → 9% CT applies on profit above AED 375K.
Professional services — Mainland DED, 2 visas, private office
An architecture firm needs to work directly with UAE property developers and government entities — requires mainland license. DED license AED 15,000–25,000, establishment AED 2,000, 2 visas AED 7,000–9,000, private office AED 25,000–50,000, health insurance AED 1,300. Year 1 total: approximately AED 50,300–87,300. Bank account moderate.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the cheapest way to set up a company in UAE?▾
Can a free zone company do business with UAE clients?▾
How long does company setup take in UAE?▾
What is included in a free zone license fee?▾
Is a share capital deposit required in UAE?▾
Do UAE companies pay corporate tax?▾
Can I renew my free zone license online?▾
What happens if I don't renew my UAE company license?▾
All fees are indicative estimates based on July 2026 published authority rates. Verify costs with the relevant free zone or DED authority before committing. The corporate tax analysis is for informational purposes only — consult a UAE-licensed tax advisor for your specific situation.
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UAE Free Zone Fee Comparison 2026
Setting up a UAE company costs AED 18,000–45,000 in Year 1 depending on your zone, visa count, and office type. Free zones typically cost 30–50% less than mainland and offer 100% foreign ownership — but restrict direct UAE client work without a distributor. The table below shows license fee ranges across major zones for quick comparison.
| Zone | License Fee | Per Visa | Bank Account | Renewal Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHAMS (Sharjah) | AED 5,500–7,500 | AED 3,000–4,000 | Easy | 75% |
| Ajman Free Zone | AED 4,000–6,000 | AED 2,500–3,500 | Moderate | 72% |
| UAQ Free Trade Zone | AED 3,500–5,500 | AED 2,500–3,500 | Hard | 70% |
| Fujairah Free Zone | AED 4,500–7,000 | AED 2,800–3,800 | Moderate | 73% |
| RAKEZ | AED 7,000–12,000 | AED 3,000–4,000 | Moderate | 76% |
| Meydan Free Zone | AED 12,000–15,000 | AED 3,500–4,500 | Easy | 78% |
| DMCC (Dubai) | AED 18,000–22,000 | AED 4,000–5,500 | Easy | 80% |
| DIFC (Dubai) | AED 30,000–55,000 | AED 5,000–7,000 | Easy | 85% |
| Mainland (DED) | AED 15,000–25,000 | AED 3,500–4,500 | Moderate | 80% |
Sources: ded.gov.ae, shams.ae, dmcc.ae, rakez.com — rates last verified July 2026.
Official sources: Fee data sourced from DED (ded.gov.ae), SHAMS, DMCC, RAKEZ and UAE Federal Tax Authority. Corporate tax rules per Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. Last verified July 2026.
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