UAE Business Setup Cost Index 2026: Free Zone & Mainland Compared

Quick Summary: UAE Business Setup Cost Index 2026

• Cheapest entry: the lowest published free zone prices are Ajman NuVentures Centre (ANCFZ) from AED 4,888, SRTIP from AED 5,500 and SPC in Sharjah from AED 5,750, with RAKEZ's Biz Starter at AED 6,000 for UAE-based founders and IFZA from about AED 12,500.
• Dubai free zones: IFZA and Meydan from AED 12,500, JAFZA licenses from AED 5,000 (plus registration and desk), DMCC from AED 35,484 (Basic Biz package); the financial centres charge USD 5,800 (ADGM) and USD 20,000 (DIFC) in registry fees for a non-financial company.
• Dubai mainland (DET): DET publishes no flat price - it generates the license fee for your activity and legal form. Add Dubai Chambers membership (AED 300-2,200 a year), an Ejari-registered office (Ejari AED 177.75 online; DET's Instant License includes a virtual site for year one only), the establishment card (AED 200 + 5% VAT + AED 70) and per-visa fees.
• Offshore: A RAK ICC structure costs AED 3,250 in registry fees plus the registered agent's fee, with no visa - suited to holding and asset protection.
• Visa add-on: A UAE residence visa typically adds AED 3,500-6,500 per person, and most "setup from" figures exclude it.
• Watch year two: Budget free zones often price year one as a promotion and renew at their standard tariff, so compare on the two-year cost.

Ask ten setup agents "how much does it cost to start a company in the UAE?" and you will get ten different numbers, because most quote the license and stay quiet about the visa, the establishment card, and the year-two renewal. This index does the opposite. It puts the real starting cost of every major UAE jurisdiction in one place, with a stated methodology and links to the full breakdown for each.

It is built to be a reference – for founders comparing options, and for anyone who needs a sourced figure to cite. The numbers are compiled from the official free-zone portals and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, cross-checked against our own advisory work, and reviewed by Midhun Mohandas Nair of 360 Accounting Co LLC. Last reviewed: October 2026.

Cost is where founders get misled most. The honest number is never just the license – it is the license, the visa, the card, and what year two looks like. Compare on the two-year, all-in figure and most of the "cheap" options stop looking cheap.

The UAE business setup cost index 2026

Every major UAE jurisdiction, ranked from the lowest published starting cost. "Setup from" is the cheapest first-year license or package – it usually excludes a residence visa (see methodology). Each name links to the full cost breakdown for that jurisdiction.

Indicative starting prices as of October 2026, compiled from official free-zone portals and Dubai DET. Your exact cost depends on activity, visa count and office type, and zone fees change without notice – verify the live figure before committing. For an itemised estimate, use the cost calculator.

Methodology – how these figures are compiled

• What "setup from" means: the lowest currently-published first-year license or package for that jurisdiction. For most free zones this is the license and a flexi-desk, and often excludes a residence visa.
• The visa add-on: a UAE residence visa typically adds AED 3,500–6,500 per person (establishment card, medical, Emirates ID, stamping) – SPC, SHAMS and DMCC publish roughly AED 5,000–6,000 for a first visa including the establishment card.
• Mainland: DET publishes no flat license price, so the mainland row lists the fixed government components rather than a range; the license fee itself is generated when you apply for your activity and legal form.
• Year-two renewals: budget free zones often price year one as a promotion and renew at their standard tariff. Always compare on the two-year cost.
• Sources: official free-zone portals and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Cross-checked, not copied from third-party estimates.
• Currency & date: all figures in AED, current as of October 2026, refreshed quarterly.

The cheapest ways to set up

If price is the deciding factor, the lowest published prices in 2026 are Ajman NuVentures Centre (ANCFZ) from AED 4,888 and SRTIP from AED 5,500, then SPC in Sharjah from AED 5,750 (AED 4,999 for e-book and audiobook publishing) and RAKEZ's AED 6,000 Biz Starter for UAE-based founders. IFZA starts from about AED 12,500 – see our cheapest UAE free zones guide. The catch is always the same: the cheapest license rarely stays cheapest once you add a visa and reach the year-two renewal. For a true offshore holding structure with no visa, RAK ICC registry fee AED 3,250 plus the agent's fee.

Mainland vs free zone: the cost trade-off

Free zone is cheaper to start and run; mainland costs more but unlocks the whole UAE market. A Dubai mainland license has no flat price: DET generates the fee for your activity, and an Ejari-registered office lease, Dubai Chambers membership (AED 300–2,200), the establishment card and visas sit on top. A free zone avoids the office-floor requirement and bundles visas, which is why it lands lower. Pay the mainland premium only if your customers are inside the UAE or you need government contracts – the full logic is in our mainland company setup guide and free zones comparison.

What actually drives your cost

Two companies in the same free zone can pay very different amounts. The variables that move the number:

• Visas – each residence visa adds AED 3,500–6,500. The single biggest swing factor.
• Office type – flexi-desk is cheapest; a physical office (mandatory for mainland) adds tenancy and Ejari.
• Activity – regulated activities (financial, medical, legal) carry extra approvals and higher fees.
• Number of activities & shareholders – some packages cap these; extras cost more.
• Year-two renewal – the cost you live with after the launch promotion ends.
• Ongoing compliance – Corporate Tax registration, bookkeeping and VAT (if registered) from 2023 onward.

Five costing mistakes founders make

1. Comparing license prices only. The license is a fraction of the real first-year cost.
2. Forgetting the visa. Most "from" prices exclude it; it is often the largest single add-on.
3. Ignoring year two. Promotional first-year pricing can reset to the standard tariff on renewal.
4. Buying mainland when free zone fits. If your clients are international, you may be paying for market access you do not use.
5. Treating cost as the whole decision. Banking ease, activity fit and visa quota matter as much as the headline number.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest free zone to set up a company in the UAE?

On the lowest published packages, Ajman NuVentures Centre (ANCFZ) starts from AED 4,888, SRTIP from AED 5,500 and SPC in Sharjah from AED 5,750, with RAKEZ's Biz Starter at AED 6,000 for UAE-based founders and IFZA from about AED 12,500. The cheapest license is rarely the cheapest business, though - add a residence visa, and watch the year-two renewal, which for budget zones can jump noticeably. Match the zone to your activity and visa needs, not just the headline price.

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

For a Dubai free zone, a realistic all-in first year - license, establishment card and one residence visa - usually lands between roughly AED 18,000 (IFZA or Meydan) and AED 41,000 (DMCC Basic Biz) depending on the zone. A Dubai mainland company usually runs higher, mainly because it needs an Ejari-registered office: DET generates the license fee for your activity and legal form, and Dubai Chambers membership (AED 300 to 2,200), the establishment card and visas are added on top. Use our calculator for a figure specific to your activity.

Is mainland or free zone cheaper in the UAE?

Free zone is almost always cheaper to start and run, because it needs no physical office floor space and bundles visas into the package. Mainland usually costs more because it needs an Ejari-registered office lease, but it lets you trade directly across the UAE market and take government contracts. The right answer is about access, not just price: pay the mainland premium only if your customers are inside the UAE.

Do these figures include the residence visa?

Mostly no - the 'setup from' figures are the lowest published license or package price, which often excludes a residence visa. A UAE residence visa typically adds around AED 3,500 to AED 6,500 per person, including the establishment card, medical, Emirates ID and stamping. Always confirm what a quoted package includes.

Why do year-two renewals cost more than I expect?

Because the cheapest first-year packages are often promotional. Several budget free zones renew at their standard tariff in year two rather than the discounted launch figure - and visa renewals are separate. When comparing zones, look at the two-year cost, not just year one. A zone that is AED 2,000 cheaper to start can be more expensive by year three.

What hidden costs should I budget for?

The ones that surprise people: the residence visa and Emirates ID, the immigration establishment card, mandatory medical insurance for visa holders, Ejari or workspace fees (especially mainland), name-reservation and activity-approval fees, and - from 2023 - Corporate Tax registration and bookkeeping. None are huge alone, but together they are why a 'AED 12,500' license becomes a larger real number. Our cost calculator itemises them.

How accurate and current is this cost index?

The figures are compiled from the official free-zone portals and Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, and reflect the position as of October 2026. They are starting/indicative prices - your exact cost depends on activity, visa count, office type and the zone's current promotions. Government and zone fees change without notice, so confirm the live figure with the authority before you commit.

Can I get an exact quote instead of a range?

Yes. Ranges are useful for comparing options, but your real number depends on your activity, how many visas you need, and your office choice. Our free cost calculator gives an itemised estimate in a few minutes, and a 20-minute call will pin down the exact figure for your specific setup - with no obligation and no package pushing.

Sources and methodology references

Related guides

• UAE free zones compared (12 zones)
• Cheapest UAE free zones 2026
• Dubai mainland license cost 2026
• SPC Free Zone setup
• DMCC company setup
• Free UAE business setup cost calculator
• Get an exact quote

This cost index is general information, not a quote or financial advice. All figures are indicative starting prices as of October 2026, compiled from official free-zone portals and Dubai DET and subject to change without notice. Confirm current fees with the relevant authority or free zone before making any commitment.