QFZA operates two free zones in Qatar — Ras Bufontas (adjacent to Hamad International Airport) and Umm Alhoul (near Hamad Port) — offering 100 % foreign ownership, competitive tax rates, and direct access to Qatar’s logistics infrastructure. QFZA
Saudi Arabia operates a sector-specific special economic zone (SEZ) model fundamentally different from the UAE’s high-volume free zone system. The Kingdom’s SEZs are designed to attract anchor industrial investments, not general commercial regist
Sharjah and its neighbouring Emirates host three of the UAE’s most popular budget-to-mid-tier free zones — IFZA (International Free Zone Authority), SHAMS (Sharjah Media City), and SPC (Sharjah Publishing City). IFZA starts at AED 12,900 with a D
RAKEZ is one of the UAE’s most affordable and versatile free zones, offering SME packages from AED 5,999 with flexible warehouse options in Ras Al Khaimah. RAKEZ supports over 15,000 companies across trading, services, industrial, and consulting
ADGM is Abu Dhabi’s international financial free zone, operating under an independent English common-law framework regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). ADGM offers non-financial licences from USD 5,500 (approximate
DIFC is the UAE’s premier financial free zone under English common law. Non-regulated licence from AED 65,000, Innovation Licence USD 1,500/year.
JAFZA is the UAE’s premier logistics free zone with 9,000+ companies adjacent to Jebel Ali Port. General trading licence AED 30,000/year.
DMCC is the UAE’s largest free zone with 25,000+ companies in JLT Dubai. Trading company setup costs AED 35,000-45,000 year one.
The GCC hosts over 80 free zones across six countries. A free zone permits 100% foreign ownership, applies its own licensing rules, and often offers corporate tax incentives.
The cheapest UAE business licence in 2026 costs AED 4,888 at Ajman NuVenture. Among Dubai free zones, Meydan starts at AED 12,500 and IFZA at AED 12,900.
