A holding company owns and protects assets — shares in other companies, real estate, or intellectual property — rather than trading itself. It can sit on a mainland, free-zone or offshore base. Here's what it costs, who it suits, and how it compares.
Best when you want a clean, protective layer to own assets — not to run day-to-day operations. Here's where it fits, and where it doesn't.
An illustrative starting point — an offshore holding is the cheapest base; a free-zone or mainland holding costs more but adds visas/substance. Your figure depends on:
We build a written quote around what you're holding and why, so you see the full breakdown before you commit — and we flag when a holding layer isn't worth it.
Split payments Setup fees can be paid in instalments with Tamara. Your advisor confirms eligibility and terms with your quote.
| Offshore base | Free-zone base | Mainland base | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lowest | Mid | Highest |
| Residence visas | None | Available | Available |
| Substance / office | None | Flexi-desk | Physical office |
| Ownership on public record | No (UBO still filed to the registry) | No (UBO still filed) | Partly |
| Setup from | AED 8,000 | AED 6,000 | AED 15,000 |
| Best for | Pure asset holding | Holding + visas | Holding + local substance |
In short: an offshore base is cheapest for pure asset holding; a free-zone base adds visas and some substance; a mainland base suits a holding company that also needs a real UAE footprint. We match the base to what you're actually holding.
It depends on the base: an offshore holding starts from around AED 8,000, a free-zone holding from around AED 6,000 in the cheaper zones, and a mainland holding from around AED 15,000. We quote your exact structure — and we'll tell you if a holding layer isn't worth the cost for your situation.
A holding company exists to own assets — shares in other companies, property, or IP — rather than to trade. An operating company invoices customers and runs day-to-day business. Many groups use a holding company as a protective parent above their operating companies.
Certain structures can hold UAE property in designated freehold areas — offshore (notably JAFZA) and some onshore setups. Eligibility depends on the area and developer, so we confirm it for your specific case.
It can be — qualifying holding income may be treated efficiently under UAE corporate tax — but this depends on your structure and activities. We always recommend proper tax advice before you set one up.
Offshore is cheapest for pure asset holding with no visa need; a free-zone base adds residence visas and some substance; a mainland base suits a holding company that also needs a real UAE footprint. We match the base to what you're holding — ask AgentBiz or an advisor.
Ask AgentBiz — with your assets in mind — or talk to a human advisor. Honest guidance, an itemised quote, no obligation.
