UAE business licence costs in 2026 range from AED 4,888 for the cheapest free zone package to AED 900,000+ for a regulated DIFC financial firm. The right budget depends on jurisdiction, activity, and visa needs. Most foreign founders spend AED 18,500 to AED 50,000 in year one. Last updated: May 2026.
For the broader UAE setup context, see how to start a business in the UAE: complete guide for foreign founders. The jurisdiction trade-offs that drive these costs are covered in UAE mainland vs free zone: which is right for your business in 2026?.
What does a UAE business licence actually cost in 2026?
A UAE business licence has six cost layers. The headline trade-licence fee is just one of them — the others add 50 % to 200 % on top in the first year.
| Cost layer | Mainland (typical) | Free zone (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Trade-licence fee | AED 12,000 to AED 25,000 | AED 5,500 to AED 50,000 |
| Initial approval and name reservation | AED 855 (Dubai DED standard) | included or AED 500 to AED 1,500 |
| Chamber of Commerce membership | AED 1,200 to AED 2,500 | not required |
| Office or flexi-desk (year 1) | AED 42,000+ (Ejari Deira mainland) | AED 15,000 to AED 20,000 (flexi-desk) |
| Investor or partner visa | AED 3,000 to AED 7,500 per person | AED 3,000 to AED 7,500 per person |
| MOA notarisation and PRO services | AED 3,000 to AED 8,000 | included or AED 2,000 to AED 5,000 |
According to figures published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, the base trade-licence issuance fee in 2026 is AED 1,070, with separate fees of AED 620 for name reservation and AED 235 for initial approval. Most founders see the all-in trade-licence cost — including activity fee, market fees, and authority surcharges — between AED 12,000 and AED 25,000 for a standard commercial or professional activity.
The total first-year budget split is roughly 30 % licence, 40 % office or flexi-desk, 15 % visas, 15 % compliance and professional fees.
How much does a UAE mainland trade licence cost?
A UAE mainland trade licence costs AED 12,000 to AED 25,000 in Dubai and as low as AED 1,000 in Abu Dhabi under the current promotional package. Total first-year mainland cost with one investor visa and a small office ranges from AED 18,500 to AED 50,000+.
Dubai mainland pricing
Dubai mainland licences are issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism through the Invest in Dubai portal. Base fees published by the department for 2026:
- Trade-licence issuance: AED 1,070
- Name reservation: AED 620
- Initial approval: AED 235
- Knowledge dirham: AED 10
- Innovation dirham: AED 10
- Activity-specific fees: AED 5,000 to AED 20,000 depending on category
- Dubai Chamber membership: AED 1,200 to AED 2,500 annually
- Ejari office registration: AED 220 plus office lease
A standard commercial licence with general trading activities and one investor visa, set up through a typical formation agent, costs between AED 22,000 and AED 35,000 in the first year. Premium activities — particularly those requiring DET-approved physical premises — push the total above AED 50,000.
Abu Dhabi mainland pricing
Abu Dhabi runs a promotional package that has become the cheapest mainland licence in the GCC. According to the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development’s currently published terms, a two-year mainland licence covering up to six activities costs AED 1,000. This includes commercial registration, the trade name reservation, and basic activity codes — but excludes office lease, visa fees, and Chamber of Commerce membership.
Other Emirates
Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain mainland licences typically cost between AED 8,000 and AED 18,000 for the licence alone, with lower office-space costs offering meaningful savings for founders not needing Dubai-specific positioning.
Activity-type cost breakdown
The four mainland licence categories carry different fee structures:
- Commercial licence (trading, retail, import/export): AED 12,000 to AED 25,000
- Professional licence (consulting, services, freelance): AED 8,000 to AED 18,000 — typically the cheapest
- Industrial licence (manufacturing, processing): AED 15,000 to AED 30,000 plus additional industrial-zone fees
- Tourism licence (travel, tourism, hospitality): AED 15,000 to AED 25,000 plus DTCM surcharges
For what each of these categories covers, the permitted activities, and the regulators that approve them, see UAE trade license types explained: commercial, professional, industrial, tourism.
How much does a UAE free zone licence cost?
UAE free zone licence costs in 2026 range from AED 4,888 in Ajman to AED 50,000+ in DMCC. The variation reflects three factors: prestige tier, included flexi-desk, and number of visa quotas in the package.
| Free zone | Cheapest package | Typical first-year cost | Visas included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman NuVenture | AED 4,888 (zero-visa) | AED 10,800 | 0 to 1 |
| SPC Free Zone (Sharjah) | AED 8,000 | AED 14,500 | 1 |
| RAKEZ | AED 9,500 | AED 16,000 | 1 |
| IFZA (Dubai) | AED 12,900 | AED 18,500 | 1 |
| Meydan Free Zone (Dubai) | AED 12,500 | AED 19,000 | 1 |
| Shams (Sharjah Media City) | AED 11,500 | AED 16,500 | 1 |
| DMCC (Dubai) | AED 35,000 | AED 50,000 | 1 to 3 |
| Dubai South | AED 13,500 | AED 22,000 | 1 |
| JAFZA (Dubai) | AED 30,000 | AED 47,000+ | 2 to 4 |
According to Juriszone’s 2026 free zone cost survey, Ajman NuVenture remains the cheapest entry point in the UAE for a zero-visa package, while IFZA and Meydan dominate the Dubai mid-tier segment.
What the free zone fee actually covers
A free zone licence fee typically bundles:
- Initial registration and name reservation
- Trade licence for one or two activities (additional activities cost AED 1,000 to AED 3,000 each)
- One year of flexi-desk or virtual office
- One or two investor visas in mid-tier and premium packages
- Establishment card (immigration card) — AED 2,000 to AED 3,000 standalone
Cheaper packages reduce the number of activities permitted, exclude visa quotas, or restrict the flexi-desk to specific zones within the free zone.
How much do DIFC and ADGM premium licences cost?
DIFC and ADGM are the UAE’s two financial free zones operating under English common law. Their licence costs sit far above mainstream free zones — AED 65,000 to AED 100,000 for non-regulated entities and AED 250,000 to AED 900,000+ for fully regulated financial firms.
DIFC licence pricing in 2026
According to GCG Structuring’s 2025 DIFC pricing brief, the standard non-regulated DIFC licence costs:
- DIFC application fee: USD 3,000 (approx. AED 11,000)
- DIFC licence issuance fee: USD 5,100 for Ltd companies (approx. AED 18,700)
- DIFC registered office requirement: from USD 250/month flexi-desk in the Innovation Hub, up to USD 80/sqft for dedicated office
For regulated firms under the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), licence costs are substantially higher. DFSA application fees range from USD 15,000 to USD 70,000 depending on the financial service category, with comprehensive details published in the DFSA Rulebook’s Fees module (FER).
The DIFC Innovation Licence is the budget pathway for early-stage tech founders. According to DIFC’s published 2026 terms, this licence costs USD 1,500 per year — 90 % off standard DIFC pricing — for fintech, AI, and Web3 startups. Flexi-desks at the DIFC Innovation Hub run USD 250 to USD 500 per month, and the licence supports up to four visas per desk.
ADGM licence pricing in 2026
ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) reduced its non-financial and retail fees in 2025, making it competitive with mainstream Dubai free zones for the first time. Per PayCompliance’s 2025 ADGM fee analysis:
- Non-financial / retail licence: USD 5,500 initial, USD 5,000 renewal (approx. AED 20,000 / AED 18,300)
- FSRA-regulated payment service provider licence: capital and prudential requirements significantly higher
- ADGM Foundation: from USD 5,000
According to a January 2026 brief from Kayrouz & Associates, DFSA prudential amendments scheduled for 1 July 2026 will affect capital requirements and reporting expectations for in-scope regulated firms — relevant for any founder budgeting beyond a standard non-regulated entity.
What additional setup fees should you budget for?
Beyond the headline licence fee, eight additional cost categories typically add AED 8,000 to AED 25,000 to a standard first-year UAE setup budget. These are the line items that most cost-comparison tables omit but every founder pays.
The eight categories:
- Memorandum of Association (MOA) notarisation: AED 1,500 to AED 4,000 — required for mainland LLCs and some free zone structures
- PRO services and document attestation: AED 3,000 to AED 8,000 for processing labour cards, immigration applications, and Emirates ID
- Authentication of foreign documents: AED 800 to AED 2,500 per document, depending on country of origin and apostille requirements
- Initial approval and trade-name reservation: AED 855 to AED 1,500 (Dubai DED standard)
- Establishment card (immigration card): AED 2,000 to AED 3,000 — mandatory before any visa application
- Medical test and Emirates ID per person: AED 800 to AED 1,200 included in most visa packages, but increasingly separated
- Bank account opening assistance: AED 3,000 to AED 8,000 if using a setup agent
- Initial accounting and VAT registration setup: AED 2,000 to AED 5,000
According to the e-invoicing framework published by the UAE Ministry of Finance, businesses with revenue above AED 50 million must appoint an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) by 31 July 2026 and implement electronic invoicing by 1 January 2027. ASP fees typically range from AED 8,000 to AED 25,000 annually. Smaller businesses follow later phases, with a 1 July 2027 implementation date.
The penalty regime under Cabinet Decision No. 106 of 2025 sets specific fines for e-invoicing non-compliance, and the revised general tax penalty framework under Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025, effective 14 April 2026, restructured late-payment penalties to 14 % per annum.
How much do UAE visas and office space cost?
UAE investor and employee visas cost AED 3,000 to AED 7,500 per person, and office or flexi-desk costs range from AED 15,000 to over AED 100,000 annually depending on jurisdiction and size.
Visa cost breakdown
A standard 2-year investor visa package includes:
- Entry permit and status change: AED 1,200 to AED 1,800
- Medical fitness test: AED 350 to AED 800
- Emirates ID: AED 370 to AED 600
- Visa stamping: AED 700 to AED 1,500
- Insurance: AED 800 to AED 2,500
- PRO and processing fees: AED 500 to AED 1,200
Total: AED 3,000 to AED 7,500 per visa, depending on the route and processing speed. The 3-year Golden Visa alternative — for investors above AED 2 million in capital or real estate — costs AED 9,500 to AED 14,000 including all fees.
Dependent visas (spouse, children, parents) cost AED 2,000 to AED 5,000 each, subject to minimum salary requirements of AED 4,000 monthly with accommodation or AED 10,000 without.
Office and flexi-desk pricing
- Free zone flexi-desk: AED 15,000 to AED 20,000 per year
- Free zone serviced office (small): AED 25,000 to AED 60,000 per year
- Mainland Ejari office in Deira: from AED 42,000 per year
- Mainland Ejari office in Business Bay or DIFC: AED 80,000 to AED 200,000+ per year
- DMCC office (small): AED 60,000 to AED 120,000 per year
- DIFC dedicated office: USD 80 per sqft per year — approximately AED 100,000 for a small unit
Each Ejari office unlocks a maximum visa quota: 1 employee visa per 80 sqft on the UAE mainland, with free zone authorities setting their own desk-to-visa ratios.
How do annual renewal costs compare to first-year setup?
UAE business licence renewals in year two cost roughly 60 % to 80 % of first-year setup, primarily because name reservation, MOA notarisation, document attestation, and initial deposits are one-off fees.
| Cost category | Year 1 | Year 2 (renewal) |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence | AED 15,000 to AED 25,000 | same or +2-5 % indexation |
| Name reservation and initial approval | AED 855 to AED 1,500 | not applicable |
| MOA notarisation | AED 1,500 to AED 4,000 | not applicable |
| Document attestation | AED 800 to AED 2,500 | not applicable |
| Chamber of Commerce | AED 1,200 to AED 2,500 | AED 1,200 to AED 2,500 |
| Office or flexi-desk | AED 15,000 to AED 42,000+ | same or +5 % indexation |
| Visa stamping | AED 3,000 to AED 7,500 | not applicable until 2- or 3-year visa expires |
| Establishment card | AED 2,000 to AED 3,000 | AED 2,000 to AED 3,000 |
| Audited financial statements | AED 5,000 to AED 15,000 (mandatory if QFZP) | AED 5,000 to AED 15,000 |
| Corporate tax filing | AED 2,000 to AED 7,000 (advisory fees) | AED 2,000 to AED 7,000 |
A typical free zone company that paid AED 18,500 in year one will pay AED 12,000 to AED 14,000 in year two — assuming the flexi-desk and licence renew at standard rates. A mainland Dubai company that paid AED 32,000 in year one will pay AED 22,000 to AED 26,000 in year two, with the savings concentrated in name reservation, MOA, and visa stamping fees.
Late-renewal penalties under the new framework introduced by Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025 are aggressive: a late licence renewal triggers fines of AED 250 per month of delay plus interest, while late corporate tax payment accrues at 14 % per annum.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a single all-in price for setting up a UAE business?
No. The total first-year cost depends on jurisdiction, activity, office requirements, and visa allocation. A realistic budget range for a foreign founder with one investor visa and a flexi-desk in a Dubai free zone is AED 18,500 to AED 25,000. A Dubai mainland setup with the same parameters costs AED 25,000 to AED 45,000. A DIFC non-regulated entity starts at AED 80,000+.
Are UAE business licence fees negotiable?
Direct government fees are not negotiable. Free zone authorities occasionally bundle visas or office space into promotional packages — IFZA, Meydan, and SPC have offered such packages in 2024 to 2026 — but the underlying licence-fee structure follows published rates. Setup-agent fees on top are negotiable.
What is the cheapest UAE business licence in 2026?
The cheapest published UAE licence package in 2026 is Ajman NuVenture’s zero-visa package at AED 4,888. Among Dubai-zone licences, IFZA Dubai at AED 12,900 and Meydan Free Zone at AED 12,500 — both including one visa — are the cheapest Dubai options. The Abu Dhabi mainland promotional package at AED 1,000 for two years covers six activities but excludes office, visa, and Chamber fees.
Do all UAE businesses need to pay VAT registration fees?
VAT registration with the Federal Tax Authority is free. Mandatory registration applies once a business exceeds AED 375,000 in taxable supplies in any 12-month period. Voluntary registration is available above AED 187,500. The cost burden comes from compliance and filing — typically AED 3,500 to AED 7,000 annually for advisory support.
Can I reduce UAE licence costs by sharing an office?
Yes. Flexi-desks in free zones — bundled with most free zone packages — accept multiple licence holders at the same physical desk. The free zone authority allocates visa quotas based on the desk type, and several companies can co-share a flexi-desk economically. Mainland Ejari-registered offices, however, cannot be shared between separate licensed entities.
Sources and further reading
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism — Trade licence fees and Invest in Dubai portal (invest.dubai.ae)
- Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development — Mainland licence promotional package (added.gov.ae)
- UAE Federal Tax Authority — Corporate Tax registration and VAT (tax.gov.ae)
- UAE Ministry of Finance — Electronic Invoicing Guidelines Version 1.0 (mof.gov.ae)
- Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) — Fees module (FER) in the DFSA Rulebook (dfsa.ae)
- DIFC Authority — Licence fees and Innovation Licence terms (difc.ae)
- ADGM Registration Authority — Fee schedule and FSRA prudential framework (adgm.com)
- Cabinet Decision No. 106 of 2025 — E-invoicing penalty framework
- Cabinet Decision No. 129 of 2025 — Revised administrative tax penalty regime, effective 14 April 2026