The business setup cost in Dubai for a one-owner company with one visa typically lands between about AED 12,000 and AED 22,000 at the budget end of the market, according to one July 2026 consultancy guide, and from AED 30,000 to AED 50,000 or more in year one on the mainland once office rent is included. Premium zones such as DMCC and DIFC cost far more. Always ask for a written quote that separates government fees from service fees.
Company formation cost in Dubai is hard to pin down because there is no single price list. The licence, the premises, the number of visas, the activity and the jurisdiction all change the total. Published figures also come from different sources, and they do not always agree.
This guide breaks the bill into its components in AED, compares mainland and free zone package ranges and shows what renewals and hidden extras add. All package figures are attributed to the firm or authority that published them, and they are indicative, not quotes.
The Headline Ranges
Start with the big picture. The table below pulls together two published 2026 consultancy guides. Neither is a government tariff, so treat them as market indicators.
| Source |
Scenario |
Stated range (AED) |
| Consultancy price guide, July 2026 (updated September 2026) |
One owner, one visa, mainstream Dubai and northern emirate options |
12,000 to 22,000 |
| Consultancy blog, June 2026 (modified July 2026) |
Year-one total, mainland |
30,000 to 50,000 or more |
| Same blog |
Year-one total, free zone |
18,000 to 34,000 |
| Consultancy blog, July 2026 |
Mainland typical first-year total |
30,000 to 50,000 or more |
| Same blog |
Budget free zone typical first-year range |
14,000 to 20,000 |
The gaps between sources come from what each includes. Some count only the licence and one visa, others add office rent, medical tests, accounting and bank charges. That is why you should compare like for like before you judge a quote.
Cost Components In AED
A Dubai company bill is made of several separate lines. The table gathers the ranges that the sources above publish.
| Component |
Indicative cost (AED) |
Notes |
| Free zone trade licence |
5,565 to 49,160 |
Varies widely by zone |
| Dubai mainland trade licence |
11,500 to 13,500 |
Excludes name approval, initial approval, Tasheel and MOA |
| Trade name reservation (mainland) |
620 official DET fee |
An English trade name can add 2,000, per the Khaleej Times |
| Initial approval (mainland) |
120 |
Per the Khaleej Times report of DET fees |
| MOA and notarisation |
Mainland 1,500 to 3,000; free zone 1,000 to 2,500 |
Consultancy estimate |
| Establishment or immigration card |
750 to 2,000 |
One-off per company |
| Office or desk |
0 to 15,000 or more |
Often bundled in free zone packages, separate on the mainland |
| Investor or partner visa |
3,500 to 6,000 each |
Includes medical, biometrics and Emirates ID, per one guide |
| Employee visa |
5,000 to 8,000 each |
Higher on the mainland because of the labour card |
| Setup advisory or PRO services |
1,500 to 5,000 |
One-time or retainer, per one guide; individual PRO tasks 200 to 800 |
Treat these as a checklist of questions to ask rather than a fixed price list, because the exact figure for each line depends on your zone and activity.
Dubai Mainland Company Cost
A Dubai mainland company is licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Official DET fees reported by the Khaleej Times include AED 120 for initial approval and AED 620 to book a trade name. The licence fee itself depends on the activity.
The July 2026 consultancy guide lists a mainland licence package at AED 13,900, or AED 18,750 with one visa. Another blog puts the DET commercial licence at AED 12,500 to 15,000, and professional licences at AED 12,000 to 25,000 or more depending on the jurisdiction and the number of visas. These numbers do not fully line up, so ask for the line items.
The big mainland extra is premises. One guide quotes mainland office rent at AED 15,000 to 30,000 a year, and another quotes AED 3,000 to 8,000 for a minimum office rent plus tenancy registration (Ejari). The difference reflects the type of space. Whichever you pick, a mainland company normally needs a lease before the licence is issued.
| Mainland item |
Indicative cost (AED) |
Source type |
| Trade name reservation |
620 |
DET fee (reported) |
| Licence issuance and Chamber membership |
1,070 plus 300 |
Consultancy blog and Khaleej Times (eTrader example) |
| Ejari registration |
177.75 online or 220 at a service centre |
Consultancy blog |
| Office rent |
15,000 to 30,000 a year |
Consultancy blog |
| Typical first-year total |
30,000 to 50,000 or more |
Consultancy blog |
Free Zone Company Setup Cost
Free zone company setup cost varies more than mainland cost because each zone sets its own prices. The July 2026 consultancy guide lists these licence and one-visa packages. They are published prices from one source and may change.
| Jurisdiction |
Licence (AED) |
With one visa (AED) |
| Meydan Free Zone |
12,500 |
20,670 |
| IFZA |
12,900 |
21,450 |
| Dubai Mainland (DET), for comparison |
13,900 |
18,750 |
| DMCC |
46,780 |
46,780 |
| DIFC |
104,079 |
108,579 |
| Ajman Free Zone (northern emirate) |
5,565 |
13,141 |
| RAKEZ (northern emirate) |
6,010 |
12,010 |
A second blog, dated July 2026, quotes slightly different numbers: Meydan from AED 12,500 including a flexi-desk, IFZA about AED 12,900 for a zero-visa licence and about AED 14,900 for one visa, and a DMCC Jump Start package from AED 43,780. The difference for IFZA with one visa (AED 21,450 against about AED 14,900) shows why you must check what each package includes.
Flexi-desks are often the cheapest compliant premises. One blog lists a one-year free zone flexi-desk at AED 2,000 to 5,000, and another puts a DMCC flexi-desk at AED 16,000 to 19,000 a year. Some zones require a physical office once you hire staff.
Trade License Cost In Dubai
The trade license cost in Dubai differs by type. A June 2026 consultancy overview gives these indicative ranges for the licence itself, before premises, visas and approvals. Use them to sense-check quotes, and see our companion trade licence guide for what each type covers.
| Licence type |
Indicative range (AED) |
| Commercial (mainland) |
12,500 to 15,000 |
| Professional |
12,000 to 25,000 or more |
| E-commerce |
5,750 to 20,000 a year |
| Freelance permit |
7,500 to 20,000 |
| General trading |
15,000 to 50,000 or more |
A separate May 2026 overview gives different, lower figures for some categories, for example a freelance licence at AED 1,800 to 2,000. When two sources disagree, ask the authority or zone for its current schedule. Regulated activities may need an additional approval that one guide puts at AED 500 to 3,000 each.
Visas, Emirates ID And Medical
Once the company exists, each visa has several parts. A July 2026 blog itemises them as follows: investor visa government fees of AED 300 to 800, medical fitness of AED 250 to 350 per visa, an Emirates ID of AED 100 a year, and a mandatory health insurance plan from about AED 535 a year. The July 2026 price guide folds medical, biometrics and Emirates ID into a single AED 3,500 to 6,000 range per investor or partner visa.
The two sources are measuring different things, so do not add them together. Ask whether a visa price includes the entry permit, status change, medical, Emirates ID, insurance and stamping.
Bank Accounts And Extras
Opening a bank account is rarely a government fee, but minimum balances and monthly charges can be large. One blog reports business account minimum balances of AED 25,000 to 50,000 at a major bank depending on tier, and names zero-balance alternatives. That figure is a requirement to hold funds, not a fee, and it varies by bank and product.
The same blog groups hidden extras, including bank setup charges, at AED 3,000 to 8,000. Other extras to budget for are legalisation or translation of documents, courier fees and tenancy registration.
Renewals And Running Costs
A Dubai licence must be renewed, normally every year. Sources describe renewal as a significant cost, not a token one.
| Item |
Indicative cost |
Source note |
| Licence renewal |
70% to 100% of the original fee |
Two consultancy blogs give 70 to 100% and 80 to 100% |
| Visa renewal |
Every 2 to 3 years, similar government fees |
Consultancy blog |
| Statutory audit |
AED 1,200 to 10,000 a year |
Mandatory in several free zones |
| Accounting |
AED 500 to 1,000 a month for startups |
AED 2,000 to 4,000 a month for SMEs |
| Late renewal |
AED 250 a day (one source) |
Verify with your authority |
One guide estimates annual renewals for a one-visa free zone company at AED 15,000 to 25,000 in total. Remember that corporate tax may also apply. The Federal Tax Authority’s rates are 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above, and VAT registration begins when taxable supplies pass AED 375,000.
What Drives The Cost
- Jurisdiction. Premium zones such as DMCC and DIFC sit far above budget zones and the mainland.
- Activity. Regulated, industrial and tourism activities cost more and may need external approvals.
- Premises. A flexi-desk costs a fraction of a mainland office lease.
- Number of visas. Each investor, partner and employee visa adds thousands of dirhams.
- Legal form and capital. Branches, multi-owner companies and share capital rules change the paperwork.
- Service fees. Advisory and PRO charges vary widely and are separate from government fees.
- Timing. Promotions, bundled packages and renewal terms can shift the total.
How To Compare Quotes
Quotes that look similar can hide large gaps. Use this checklist when you compare, and consider getting at least three. Our guide to business setup consultants in Dubai is a place to start your shortlist.
- Ask for a line-by-line breakdown separating government fees from service fees.
- Check how many visas are included and what each visa price covers.
- Confirm whether premises are a flexi-desk, coworking desk or a real office.
- Ask for the renewal price in year two, not just the first-year offer.
- Find out what is excluded: bank account, medical, Emirates ID, insurance, audit.
- Confirm which activities are on the licence and whether you can add more later.
- Ask what happens if the bank refuses your account.
For more local guidance, browse the Dubai services hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to set up a company in Dubai?
The business setup cost in Dubai depends on the route. One July 2026 consultancy guide cites roughly AED 12,000 to 22,000 all-in for one owner and one visa at the budget end, while another puts mainland first-year totals at AED 30,000 to 50,000 or more. Premium zones cost well beyond that. Compare itemised quotes.
What is the cheapest way to start a company in Dubai?
Budget free zones and some northern emirate zones tend to have the lowest published packages. A July 2026 price guide lists packages from AED 12,010 with one visa in RAKEZ and AED 13,141 in Ajman Free Zone, although these are outside Dubai. Always confirm what is included before you compare.
How much is the trade license cost in Dubai?
A June 2026 consultancy overview puts a mainland commercial licence at AED 12,500 to 15,000 and a professional licence at AED 12,000 to 25,000 or more. Free zone licences range much more widely. Official DET fees, such as AED 620 for a trade name, are only part of the total.
Is a free zone company cheaper than a mainland company?
Often, in year one, mainly because desks are bundled and mainland leases cost more. One blog estimates free zone year-one totals at AED 18,000 to 34,000 against AED 30,000 to 50,000 or more for the mainland. However, a free zone company is generally limited in who it can trade with, which may affect your decision.
What are the annual costs after setup?
Expect licence renewal, which sources put at about 70% to 100% of the original fee, plus visa renewals every two to three years, accounting and possibly an audit. Corporate tax and VAT may also apply. One guide estimates AED 15,000 to 25,000 in annual renewals for a one-visa free zone company.
How much does a Dubai investor visa cost?
Published ranges vary because they bundle different items. One guide gives AED 3,500 to 6,000 per investor or partner visa including medical, biometrics and Emirates ID. Another itemises government fees of AED 300 to 800, medical of AED 250 to 350 and an Emirates ID of AED 100 a year. Ask for the full breakdown.
Do I need a minimum bank balance to open a business account?
It depends on the bank. One blog reports minimum balances of AED 25,000 to 50,000 at a major bank, and also names options with no minimum balance. Banks also ask for documents on your business and owners, so approval is not automatic.
Why do quotes for company formation in Dubai differ so much?
Because the packages contain different things. Some include one visa and a flexi-desk, others exclude the establishment card, medical tests or the bank account. Others show only the first-year price. Compare itemised totals including renewal, not headline numbers.
The Short Version
- Budget free zone setups are quoted around AED 12,000 to 22,000 with one visa, while mainland first-year totals are quoted at AED 30,000 to 50,000 or more.
- Premium zones such as DMCC and DIFC cost much more, with published licence prices from about AED 46,780 and AED 104,079.
- Government fees are only part of the bill: premises, visas, medical, insurance, bank minimums and service fees all add up.
- Renewals are typically 70% to 100% of the original licence fee, and a late renewal can attract daily penalties.
- Compare itemised quotes, including year-two pricing, rather than headline package prices.
- Figures here are indicative and come from published sources, so confirm current prices with the provider, DET or your free zone before committing.
