Industry · Fintech
Fintech Company Setup in Dubai & the UAE
From innovation licences to fully regulated financial services.
The UAE is the region's fintech hub. Early stage and non regulated fintechs can start fast on an innovation or tech licence, while regulated activities (payments, lending, asset management) belong in DIFC or ADGM under the DFSA or FSRA.
Non-regulated fintech from ~AED 12,500; DIFC Innovation Licence from ~USD 1,500/yr; regulated firms cost substantially more.
What's involved
Regulated vs non regulated
Payments, lending, custody and asset management need DFSA (DIFC) or FSRA (ADGM) authorisation. Software/SaaS fintech can use a tech or innovation licence.
DIFC & ADGM
Both offer common law frameworks, fintech hubs and strong banking credibility, the standard homes for regulated fintech.
Innovation licences
Subsidised innovation/tech licences let you build and raise before you're fully regulated.
Banking & substance
Regulated firms face capital and substance requirements; we help structure for both approval and 0% qualifying income where possible.
Recommended free zones
Frequently asked
01Do I need a financial licence for my fintech?＋
Only if you perform regulated activities (payments, lending, custody, advice, asset management). Pure software/SaaS fintech can often operate on a technology or innovation licence.
02DIFC or ADGM for fintech?＋
Both are excellent common law financial centres with fintech ecosystems. The right one depends on your regulator relationship, cost and network, we'll advise based on your model.
Start here
Ready to start a business in Dubai?
Book a free 30 minute consultation. We map free zone, mainland or offshore against what you sell, then send a written all in quote.