UAE company setup cost calculator
A UAE company's first-year cost is the licence fee plus one-off setup costs, residence visas, office space, and accounting and tax compliance. A small free zone company without visas often starts around AED 15,000–25,000; with two visas, AED 30,000–45,000; a mainland company with an office costs more. Enter your own quotes for an accurate budget.
Reviewed by Countify's ACCA/FCCA chartered certified accountants · Updated
Use the quote you have; packages vary widely by authority and activity.
Many free zone packages include a flexi-desk.
- First-year cost
- AED 39,000.00
- Typical yearly cost after that
- AED 31,500.00
- Visas
- AED 9,000.00
- Accounting, tax and audit
- AED 12,000.00
Check what the free zone package includes (number of visas, desk, bank introduction) and the audit rules for licence renewal.
Visas usually last 2 years, so renewal years average out lower than shown. Register for corporate tax within 3 months of incorporation.
Results are estimates for general information, not tailored advice.
First-year budgets
Illustrative figures; replace them with your own quotes.
| Setup | First-year cost | Typical yearly cost after that |
|---|---|---|
| Free zone, no visas | AED 27,000.00 | AED 24,000.00 |
| Free zone, 2 visas | AED 39,000.00 | AED 31,500.00 |
| Mainland, 4 visas, office | AED 106,000.00 | AED 94,000.00 |
Read our cost guide for typical ranges by authority.
Costs founders underestimate
The licence package is only part of the cost. Budget for the items that come later in the first year:
- Visa medicals, Emirates ID and dependants
- Bank account minimum balances
- Corporate tax registration within 3 months, and VAT once you pass AED 375,000
- Bookkeeping from month one, and an audit if your free zone requires it
- Licence renewal on the anniversary, which needs your compliance to be up to date
Free zone or mainland?
Take the free zone vs mainland quiz, then read our company formation costs guide for typical ranges by authority.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a company in Dubai?
It depends on the authority, activity and visas. Small free zone setups often start around AED 15,000–25,000 for the first year before visas; mainland setups with an office cost more.
Is a free zone cheaper than mainland?
Usually for the licence and office, because packages include a flexi-desk. Mainland can be better value if you need to trade widely in the UAE or need many visas.
Company formation in the UAE
We set up your free zone or mainland company, open the tax registrations and get bookkeeping running from day one, so the first year has no surprises.