A Dubai free-zone company typically starts from a few thousand dirhams for a licence with a flexi-desk, while a mainland company usually costs more once you add office rent and DED fees. Your final cost depends on your activity, jurisdiction, and how many visas you need.
There's no single price tag for a Dubai company — the total is built up from a handful of choices. The biggest levers are:
A free-zone licence with a flexi-desk and one visa is the lowest-cost way to start, and packages start from a few thousand dirhams depending on the zone and activity.
A mainland (DED) licence costs more once you factor in a physical office and the DED fees — but it lets you trade anywhere in the UAE and serve government clients, which can be well worth it if your customers are local.
A typical setup fee covers the trade licence, initial approvals and (in a free zone) your flexi-desk. Budget separately for residence visas, medicals and Emirates ID, document attestation if needed, and your corporate bank account. We always give you an itemised quote so there are no surprises.
Several Dubai free zones compete hard on price, and the cheapest option for you depends on your activity and visa needs. We compare live packages across zones and recommend the best value for your case rather than a one-size-fits-all 'cheapest'.
The common surprises are visa costs, medical and Emirates ID fees, document attestation, and bank minimum-balance requirements. We spell these out up front in your quote so nothing catches you off guard.
In a free zone the workspace is usually bundled; on the mainland it is a real, recurring cost. The office requirement in full: Do I need an office to start a business in Dubai?
Yes. Many founders begin with a lean free-zone licence and add visas, office space, activities or a mainland presence as they grow. We structure the setup so it can scale with you.
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need — AgentBiz or a human advisor will give you an exact, no-obligation quote.