Dubai Free Zone Company Setup Cost 2026 Breakdown: License, Visa, Office

A Dubai free zone setup includes several key expenses that shape your first-year budget. Each cost depends on your activity, visa needs, and the zone you choose. The ranges below help you estimate what you will spend in 2026.

1. License Cost

Your license is the base requirement for starting your company. 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 charge 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 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.

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.

Office rent is one of the biggest costs in free zones, so this step needs 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 Free Zone setup costs for 2026:

Extra Charges if your Activity Needs Approval

Some activities fall under regulated sectors that require checks before 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. 

These factors shape your total cost. You can adjust some of them to manage your budget. Each point affects your first year and your renewal cost.

• Activity type – Your activity decides your base fee and whether you need extra approvals. Trading and regulated sectors usually cost more.
• License type – Your license category sets your yearly budget. Service licenses cost less, while trading and general trading cost more.
• Visa needs – More visas increase your total renewal cost. Your visa count also controls the size of the office you must maintain.
• Office needs – Your office plan affects both rent and the visa quota. Larger spaces raise yearly fees and push up your long-term cost.
• Free Zone category – Premium zones charge higher fees and offer wider services. Budget zones keep costs low but may have fewer add-ons.
• External approvals – Some activities need clearance from local authorities. These approvals add small recurring fees each year.
• Renewal pattern – Every zone follows its own renewal cycle. Some zones renew yearly while others renew every one or two years.

Our expert team can review your activity, visa needs, and office plan to help you control your setup and renewal costs. We guide you through each Free Zone so you can select the option that fits your budget and business model.

This section shows starting prices in popular Free Zones. These values help you compare how much the cost for the company in Free Zone Dubai can shift across zones:

Note: Visa planning affects your office and your yearly budget and may vary depending on the team’s size..

Hidden Costs Many Founders Miss

Many small charges appear during setup. Add these to your budget to avoid surprises.

• Extra activities.
• External approvals.
• Bank account minimum balance.
• Visa status change fee.
• Medical insurance.
• Small admin charges.

We also manage these small approvals and checks so you do not lose time or face delays during setup.

Your first-year cost depends on your zone, license type, and how many visas you need. You also pay some fees at the beginning and later during the setup process. Knowing these details helps plan the cash flow and avoid surprises while planning to launch your company.

Minimum budget – A simple setup with one service license and a flexi desk fits the lower range. This works for solo founders who do not need storage or a large office.

• You can expect around 18000 to 25000 AED for the first year.

Average budget for a founder with one visa – Most founders fall in the mid range when they include visa fees, medical tests, and an office plan. This suits service firms that need basic workspace access.

• You can expect around 25000 to 40000 AED for the first year.

Budget for a premium zone – Premium freezones cost more because of advanced facilities and stricter activity requirements. These zones also use higher office rates.

• You can expect 50000 AED or more for the first year, mainly due to office rent and license fees.

Renewal expectations – Your renewal cost stays close to your license fee and office rent. Visas may not renew every year, but other approvals can.

• You should keep a yearly reserve to cover your license, office, and basic admin fees.

You pay most fixed costs at the start, including your license, registration, and office plan. Medical, visa, and Emirates ID fees follow during the setup process. Activity approvals or small service charges appear only when your documents move through their checks. This timeline helps you plan your cash flow and avoid delays.

Your cost will sit in three ranges. A simple setup stays near the lower range. A standard plan sits near the mid-range. A premium setup sits at the upper range. It’s advisable to select the zone that matches your actual needs to avoid paying for features you do not use. 

You can contact us at Safe Ledger if you want a complete cost plan and zone comparison for your 2026 setup. You can also request a full comparison to see your exact Dubai Free Zone Company Setup Cost for 2026.