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Cost of Company in Dubai Free Zone in 2026
The dubai free zone business setup cost includes several key expenses that shape your first-year budget. Each cost including dubai freezone company setup cost depends on your activity, visa needs, and the zone you choose.
| Cost Item | Expected Range | Details |
|---|---|---|
| License cost | 9,000 to 35,000 AED | Activity decides the fee. Trading costs more. Service costs less. |
| Registration and name reservation fee | 1,000 to 2,500 AED | One-time charge for company entry and trade name. |
| Establishment card fee | 800 to 2,000 AED | Needed for visa applications and company profile. |
| Visa application fee | 3,500 to 5,000 AED | Applies to founders, partners, and staff. |
| Medical test and Emirates ID fee | 1,200 to 1,800 AED | Needed for residency and biometric records. |
| Office or flexi desk cost | 5,000 to 35,000 AED and up | Flexi desks, shared offices, dedicated offices, or warehouses. |
Calculate your business cost with the tool: Business Setup Cost Calculator
1. License cost
Your license is the base requirement for starting your company and you should know the Dubai free zone license cost. Every activity category carries its own pricing, so your choice affects your total cost.
Your license fee changes based on your activity and the Free Zone. Trading licenses cost more, and service licenses cost less.
- Expected range: 9000 to 35000 AED.
- Most service licenses fall in the lower range.
2. Registration and name reservation fee
Every company must complete this step before the license is issued. The Dubai free zone company registration fees covers administrative checks and the booking of your trade name.
Free zones follow a simple process for this, and the fee stays stable across most zones.
This one-time fee covers your initial company entry and trade name reservation.
- Expected range: 1000 to 2500 AED.
- Some zones bundle this charge with the license.
3. Establishment card fee
The establishment card connects your company to immigration systems. Without it, you cannot apply for visas or manage staff.
This renewal remains important for companies that plan to hire or add partners.
You need an active establishment card to apply for visas and manage your company profile.
- Expected range: 800 to 2000 AED.
- This cost applies in almost every Free Zone.
4. Visa application fee
Visa costs apply when you need to sponsor yourself, a partner, or an employee. Each free zone follows its own policy for visa application pricing.
Most founders complete this step right after the license is issued.
- Expected range: 3500 to 5000 AED.
- Your first visa often needs a flexi desk or a basic office plan.
Read more: UAE Visa Fees
5. Medical test and Emirates ID fee
This step confirms fitness for residency and collects biometric data needed for your Emirates ID. Every visa holder must complete it.
The price changes slightly based on the service center you choose.
- Expected range: 1200 to 1800 AED.
- The fee depends on the medical center and processing time.
6. Office or flexi desk cost
Your office plan decides your visa quota, your renewal fee, and your workspace access. You can choose a plan based on your team size.
Since office rent is one of the largest expenses in Free Zones, this step requires careful planning.
- Flexi desk: 5000 to 15000 AED per year.
- Shared office: 15000 AED and up.
- Dedicated office: 20000 AED and up.
- Warehouse: 35000 AED and up.
To help you avoid paying for additional space, we can advise you on which office plan best suits your activity and visa requirements. This is a summary of the dubai freezone company setup cost for 2026:
Extra charges if your activity needs approval
Because some activities belong to regulated sectors, they must undergo checks prior to license issuance. These checks ensure your activity meets local standards.
Not every business needs approval, so this cost applies only to select activities.
Some business activities require approval from the UAE authorities.
- Expected range: 500 to 3000 AED.
- Food, health, and regulated services often need this.
The zone plays a massive role in finalizing the pricing of business setup in Dubai. You can also check out the cost to launch a business in Dubai Mainland.
