How Much Does It Actually Cost to Set Up a Business in Dubai? (2026)

"How much to set up in Dubai?" is a question with 20 honest answers, depending on jurisdiction, activity, visas, and office needs. Here is the breakdown every founder actually needs.

The short answer

Those are realistic totals — licence fee, visa costs, flexi-desk or office, immigration costs, and basic administrative setup.

The full line-item breakdown

Here is every cost that shows up in year one, with typical ranges.

1. Trade licence fee

• Free zone basic: AED 5,500 – 15,000
• Free zone premium (DMCC, JAFZA): AED 15,000 – 35,000
• Regulated free zone (DIFC, ADGM): AED 25,000 – 50,000
• Mainland (DET): AED 12,000 – 25,000 depending on activity

This is the headline number every consultant quotes you. It is 30% of reality.

2. Registration / initial approval fees

• Free zone: AED 1,500 – 3,000 one-time
• Mainland: AED 2,000 – 5,000 including DET trade-name reservation, initial approval, MoA notarisation

3. Office / workspace

This is the single biggest variable.

• Flexi-desk (many free zones, included): AED 0 – 5,000
• Smart / shared desk (Meydan, IFZA upgrade): AED 5,000 – 12,000
• Private office (free zone, small): AED 18,000 – 40,000
• Mainland office with Ejari (Grade B, Dubai): AED 25,000 – 90,000
• Grade A Dubai office (DIFC, DMCC Emirates Towers, JLT): AED 120,000 – 450,000

If you can operate on a flexi-desk, you save a lot. If you need Ejari for mainland, it is non-negotiable.

4. Immigration establishment card + E-Channel

Every licence needs these before you can sponsor any visas. AED 2,500 – 4,500 one-time.

5. Investor / employee visas

Per visa, typical breakdown:

• Entry permit: AED 1,100 – 1,500
• Status change (if already in UAE): AED 750 – 1,200
• Medical + Emirates ID biometrics: AED 700 – 1,200
• Visa stamping: AED 700 – 1,300
• Establishy or PRO service fee: AED 600 – 1,500
• Per visa total: AED 3,800 – 6,500

A 3-visa setup therefore adds AED 11,400 – 19,500.

6. Bank account

Banks do not charge for opening a business account. They do charge for:

• Minimum balance: AED 25,000 – 500,000 depending on bank and package. Failing to hold it triggers monthly fees of AED 250 – 2,500.
• Transaction fees, cheque book fees, international transfer fees — typical AED 1,000 – 5,000 per year for an active small business.

7. Corporate administrative setup

• Rubber stamp / seal: AED 150 – 300
• Company letterhead, basic stationery: AED 500 – 2,000
• Website (minimum): AED 2,000 – 10,000
• Email setup (Google Workspace or Microsoft 365): AED 30 – 50 per user per month
• Accounting software (Xero, Zoho, QuickBooks): AED 80 – 250 per month

8. Compliance from day one

• VAT registration: AED 0 government fee + AED 500 – 2,000 service fee if done by professional
• UBO filing: free but mandatory
• goAML (if DNFBP): free registration
• Bookkeeping: AED 800 – 2,500 per month (small business)

Recurring cost — year 2 onwards

Most founders underestimate year 2 because setup year had so many one-time fees. Recurring annual costs are roughly:

Where the real savings are

Three high-ROI places to cut cost safely:

1. Activity mapping. Picking the right activity on day one saves amendments later (AED 3,000–7,000 per amendment). Get this right up front — ask Establishy.
2. Visa timing. Apply visas in the right order. Investor visa first, then dependents. Applying the wrong way around means re-doing steps.
3. Office fit. If flexi-desk works for your business, use it. Upgrading later is cheap; over-buying office year one is expensive.

Three places founders mistakenly try to save and regret:

1. Going with the absolute cheapest free zone when banks flag it and delay account opening by 2 months.
2. Skipping a tax adviser and missing Small Business Relief (saves up to AED 270,000 in corporate tax through 2026).
3. Paying for "free" consultants — they get commission from the free zone, so they push the zone that pays them most, not the one that fits you.

FAQ

What is the absolute minimum to set up a company in Dubai? About AED 6,500 for a freelance or basic free zone licence with no visa. Realistic operational minimum with 1 visa and a bank account: AED 15,000–20,000 year one.

How much does it cost to set up a mainland company in Dubai? AED 25,000–40,000 year one for a small service business with 1 visa and a basic Ejari office. Add AED 3,500–5,500 per additional visa.

Are there hidden fees? The biggest "hidden" fees are: Ejari registration fee (AED 220 + 5% of annual rent), DEWA connection (AED 2,000+), municipality fees (varies), and bank minimum balance. Establishy's quotes always include every line item.

Can I set up remotely without visiting Dubai? Yes. We can initiate, licence, and register the company entirely remotely. You only fly in for biometrics + bank KYC (1–2 days).

Do I need a local partner? No. Since 2021, mainland allows 100% foreign ownership in most activities. Free zones always have.

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Tell Establishy the activity, the visa count, and the budget ceiling. We will come back inside a business hour with a line-by-line quote — not a "from AED X" teaser. WhatsApp +971 58 583 3550.