How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Company in Dubai? Full Breakdown
The headline "starting from" prices rarely tell the whole story. Here's every line item — licence, visas, office, deposits — so you can budget accurately.
Setting up a company in Dubai is more affordable than most first-time founders expect — but the headline "starting from" prices you see advertised rarely tell the whole story. The real cost depends on three things: where you register (free zone or mainland), how many residence visas you need, and whether you require physical office space.
The short answer
- A lean free zone company with one visa typically costs AED 12,500–30,000 in year one.
- A mainland company usually starts higher, around AED 15,000–50,000, because of additional government fees and office requirements.
- Most service-based founders land in the AED 18,000–35,000 range once visas and essentials are included.
The cost breakdown
| Cost item | Indicative range (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence (annual) | 5,500 – 20,000+ | Service/consultancy is cheapest; general trading and premium zones cost more |
| Registration / incorporation (one-off) | 1,000 – 15,000 | Sometimes bundled into the package |
| Name reservation & initial approval | 500 – 2,000 | Often included |
| Establishment / immigration card | 1,000 – 2,500 | Needed before sponsoring any visa |
| Office / flexi-desk (annual) | Flexi-desk 6,000–15,000; office 20,000–50,000+ | Mainland needs physical premises + Ejari |
| Residence visa (per person) | 3,000 – 7,000 | Entry permit, stamping, processing |
| Medical fitness test (per person) | 300 – 750 | Standard vs express |
| Emirates ID (per person) | 300 – 600 | Per visa term |
| Bank account | Free to open; watch min. balance 25,000–500,000 | Balance ties up capital, it's not a fee |
| PRO / consultant fees (optional) | 3,000 – 15,000 | If using a formation company |
Ongoing (annual) costs
The setup cost is only year one. Every year you renew the licence, renew visas on a two- or three-year cycle, and — depending on turnover — file corporate tax and maintain bookkeeping. A realistic annual running budget for a small company is AED 15,000–30,000, before accounting and tax-agent fees.
Rough all-in starting points
- Freelancer / zero-visa service licence: ~AED 5,500–12,000
- Small company, 1 investor visa, flexi-desk: ~AED 12,000–25,000
- Trading/office-based company, multiple visas: ~AED 25,000–50,000+
How to keep costs down without regretting it
- Choose a service or consultancy licence if you don't physically trade goods — it's cheaper than a trading licence.
- Start with a flexi-desk and upgrade to an office only when you genuinely need one.
- Only buy the visa quota you'll actually use — you can add visas later.
- Don't pick the absolute cheapest zone if it undermines your banking credibility; a rejected bank application costs far more in lost time.
All figures here are indicative ranges for budgeting, not quotes. Government and free-zone fees change frequently — always confirm current pricing before you commit.
Want a real number for your business? Use our cost estimator or request a written quote with every line item spelled out.
Frequently asked questions
01Is there a truly all-in price for a Dubai company?＋
No honest provider can quote one without knowing your activity, visa count and office needs. Treat advertised 'starting from' prices as the floor, not the total, and always ask for a written breakdown.
02What are the hidden costs of setting up in Dubai?＋
The commonly missed ones are visa medical and Emirates ID fees, PRO/service charges, establishment card fees, refundable deposits, and annual renewals. Ask for these in writing before you commit.
03Is it cheaper in a free zone or mainland?＋
Free zones are usually cheaper to start and simpler for foreign owners. Mainland can be worth the premium if you need to trade directly across the UAE market.