Open data · updated 2026
The UAE Free Zone Cost Index
What it actually costs to open a company in each UAE free zone, compared side by side. Compiled from publicly published licence pricing across 17 zones in 6 emirates. Free to cite, quote and embed.
Median setup cost by emirate
Licence-only starting points. The northern emirates consistently undercut Dubai, while Dubai and Abu Dhabi carry the premium financial centres.
Every zone, ranked by starting cost
| # | Free zone | Emirate | Licence from* | Focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | twofour54 | Abu Dhabi | AED 3,500 | Media & Creative | Media · Film & gaming |
| 02 | SPC | Sharjah | AED 5,000 | Startup & SME | Cheapest · Dual license |
| 03 | Ajman FZ | Ajman | AED 5,000 | Startup & SME | Low budget · SMEs |
| 04 | SHAMS | Sharjah | AED 5,750 | Startup & SME | Cheapest · Freelancers |
| 05 | RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,000 | Startup & SME | Low budget · Industrial |
| 06 | UAQ FTZ | Umm Al Quwain | AED 8,000 | Startup & SME | Cheapest · Micro-business |
| 07 | SAIF Zone | Sharjah | AED 10,800 | Industrial & Logistics | Trading · Logistics |
| 08 | HFZA | Sharjah | AED 11,000 | Industrial & Logistics | Manufacturing · Oil & gas |
| 09 | DSO | Dubai | AED 11,900 | Technology | IT & software · Electronics |
| 10 | Meydan | Dubai | AED 12,500 | Startup & SME | Agencies · Consultants |
| 11 | IFZA | Dubai | AED 12,900 | Startup & SME | Consultants · E-commerce |
| 12 | DIC / DMC | Dubai | AED 13,000 | Media & Creative | Media · Advertising |
| 13 | DAFZA | Dubai | AED 15,000 | Industrial & Logistics | Import/export · Logistics |
| 14 | JAFZA | Dubai | AED 15,000 | Industrial & Logistics | Manufacturing · Warehousing |
| 15 | DMCC | Dubai | AED 20,000 | Trade & Commodities | Commodities · General trading |
| 16 | DIFC | Dubai | AED 25,000 | Financial & Professional | Finance · Funds |
| 17 | ADGM | Abu Dhabi | AED 40,000 | Financial & Professional | Finance · Family office |
* Indicative annual licence-only starting points compiled from publicly published free-zone pricing. They exclude visas, workspace upgrades and government fees, move with promotions, and are not quotes. Confirm current pricing with the relevant authority.
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<iframe src="https://incorporatedubai.com/embed/free-zone-costs" width="100%" height="620" style="border:1px solid #e6e8ec;border-radius:12px" title="UAE Free Zone Cost Comparison — Incorporate Dubai" loading="lazy"></iframe>Cite this index
Incorporate Dubai (2026). UAE Free Zone Cost Index. Retrieved from https://incorporatedubai.com/free-zone-cost-indexJournalists and researchers: we can provide the underlying dataset, commentary or an expert quote on UAE setup costs, corporate tax or free zone selection — get in touch.
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