How much does it cost to set up a company in Dubai?

For a free zone company the first year typically runs from about AED 20,000 to 35,000 with one investor visa, a mainland LLC from about AED 45,000 to 80,000 with an office and two visas, and an offshore holding company from about AED 8,500. These are DIAC planning figures; your quote depends on activity, visas and premises.

What is included in the first-year cost?

Government licence and registration fees, the establishment card, any visa and Emirates ID fees, medical tests, office or flexi-desk rent, and our fee. A good quote lists each item and the renewal total.

Why do free zone prices differ so much?

Zones price licences, visa packages and office options differently, and some bundle several items into one package. Compare the total first-year cost, not the licence fee alone.

Are renewals cheaper than the first year?

Often yes, because registration and establishment fees are paid once, but licence, office, visa and Emirates ID renewals recur every year. Ask for the renewal total before you sign.

Do the figures here include VAT and corporate tax?

No. They cover company formation costs only. VAT registration and corporate tax registration are separate obligations that depend on your turnover and income.

Business Setup Cost in Dubai: First-Year Estimate

Indicative first-year totals

Set-up	Typical first-year total (AED)	What it assumes
Free zone company	20,000 to 35,000	Flexi-desk licence and one investor visa
Mainland LLC	45,000 to 80,000	Office, two visas and trade licence
Offshore company	From 8,500	Holding only: no office, trading or residence visa

Indicative figures last published July 2026. Government fees, attestation, premises and external approvals vary by authority and activity. Request a written quotation before you apply.

What changes the cost

Structure. Mainland, free zone and offshore have different licence, premises and visa rules. Compare them in the free zone guide and the mainland guide.
Activity. Some activities need approvals from a health, education, media or financial regulator before the licence is issued.
Visas. Each residence visa adds government fees, a medical test and Emirates ID processing.
Premises. A flexi-desk, a private office and a warehouse are priced very differently, and mainland licences usually need a registered tenancy.
Documents. Foreign shareholders may need notarised and attested documents.
Renewals. Licence, tenancy and visa renewals recur every year, so budget for year two as well as year one.

How to read a quote

A useful quote separates government fees from professional fees and states the first-year and renewal totals. Before you accept one, check that it names the exact activity, the number of visas, the premises type, and what is excluded, such as bank-account opening, dependant visas and tax registration.

Living abroad? See how to open a company in Dubai from abroad. Need a number for your own case? Request a written quote and we reply with an itemised breakdown.

Adil AhmadSenior Business Setup Consultant at Dubai International Advisory Consultants (DIAC). Guides are reviewed against the issuing authority’s current rules before publication; fees and timelines change, so confirm them in a written quote.