Setting up a company in the UAE costs anywhere from about AED 6,000 for a basic free zone package without visas to AED 40,000–70,000 and above for a fully operational company with an office and visas. The total depends on the jurisdiction, the zone, the activity and the number of visas. Here is the budget, line by line.
There is no single price to "open a company in the UAE": the cost is made up of several components, and on each you can save or overpay. Below is what the 2026 budget consists of and what to plan for. The overall registration order is covered in a separate guide — how to set up a company in the UAE step by step.
What the cost is made of
The main lines: the trade licence, the office (or flexi-desk), residence visas, the establishment card and government fees, plus one-off costs — name reservation, the MOA, notary and translations. Recurring annual payments are separate: licence, office and visa renewals.
Trade licence
The main line. In a free zone, a small-business licence runs roughly AED 10,000–30,000 a year, with basic packages from AED 5,900 (usually a licence, establishment card and flexi-desk). On the mainland it is AED 20,000–50,000, depending on the activity and the number of activities included. The choice between a zone and the mainland strongly affects the total — see free zone or mainland, and the differences between zones in our comparison of DMCC, IFZA and Meydan.
Office
In a free zone a flexi-desk is usually enough at the start — a scheduled workspace from AED 6,000 a year (often already in the basic package). The mainland needs a physical office — from AED 20,000 a year in Dubai for a minimal option, one reason the mainland costs more.
Visas and Emirates ID
A residence visa is a separate line per person. Roughly AED 3,500–7,000 per visa end-to-end: the entry permit, status change, medical (AED 320–500), Emirates ID (AED 370) and stamping. Some zones require a deposit of about AED 3,000 per visa quota. The more staff and family members, the larger this part of the budget. More on visa types is in our guide to UAE visas.
Government fees and one-off costs
These cover name reservation, initial activity approval, the establishment card (about AED 2,200 if not in the package), a notarised MOA for the mainland and legalisation of foreign documents. Opening a corporate account usually carries no direct fee, but plan for time and, where required, a minimum balance — details in our article on the corporate bank account in the UAE.
A first-year budget example
Indicative ranges for 2026 — exact amounts depend on the zone, activity and number of visas:
| Scenario | Licence + office | Visas | Total (indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum: free zone, 0 visas | from AED 5,900 | — | from ~AED 6,000 |
| Small business: free zone, 1–2 visas | AED 12,000–25,000 | AED 4,000–14,000 | ~AED 20,000–40,000 |
| Mainland, 1–2 visas, office | AED 35,000–55,000 | AED 4,000–14,000 | ~AED 40,000–70,000 |
Annual costs
Setting up is not a one-off. Licence renewal is about 60–70% of the initial amount, plus office and visa renewals (a residence visa lasts two years), and the Emirates ID renews every three years (AED 370). Since 2023 there are also corporate tax obligations: a return is required even with no profit, as covered in our explainer on UAE corporate tax at 9%.
Where not to cut corners
The cheapest package is not always the best value. The licence should cover your real activities — expanding later costs more — and the zone should allow the number of visas you need. Skimping on bookkeeping from day one leads to tax and VAT penalties. And leave a buffer for the unexpected: external approvals for regulated activities, translations, structural changes.
This material is for information only and is not financial or legal advice. All figures are indicative ranges for 2026; the actual cost depends on the specific free zone, activity, number of visas and emirate, and changes regularly. Verify current tariffs with the chosen free zone, the DET of the relevant emirate and the official sources (moet.gov.ae, u.ae).
