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UAE Business Setup Cost Calculator

Get accurate cost estimates for starting your business in Dubai & UAE. Compare Free Zone, Mainland, and Offshore setup costs instantly.

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All Business Types
Free Zone • Mainland • Offshore
Licensed in UAE
FZE 4412587.01
500+ Businesses
Helped
Updated
October 2025
Transparent
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Interactive Business Setup Cost Calculator

Answer a few questions to get personalized cost estimates for your UAE business setup with detailed breakdowns.

Key Cost Factors Affecting Your Business Setup

Understanding the main factors that influence your UAE business setup costs helps you plan and budget effectively.

Business Type Selection

High Impact

Choose between Free Zone, Mainland, or Offshore setup

Cost Range:AED 15,000 - 150,000

Business Activity

Medium Impact

Trading, consulting, manufacturing activities have different costs

Cost Range:AED 5,000 - 50,000

Location & Emirates

High Impact

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah have varying fee structures

Cost Range:AED 10,000 - 75,000

Office Requirements

High Impact

Physical office, shared space, or virtual office options

Cost Range:AED 8,000 - 200,000/year

Visa Requirements

Medium Impact

Number of investor and employee visas needed

Cost Range:AED 3,000 - 25,000

Professional Services

Medium Impact

Legal, PRO, and consulting service fees

Cost Range:AED 5,000 - 15,000

Business Setup Types Cost Comparison

Compare the costs and benefits of different business setup options in UAE to choose the best fit for your needs.

Free Zone Setup

Starting from
AED 15,000
up to AED 75,000
100% Foreign Ownership
Tax Benefits Available
Limited Market Access
Shared Office Options
Best For:
International Trading, Services

Mainland Setup

Starting from
AED 25,000
up to AED 150,000
Full UAE Market Access
Government Contract Eligibility
Higher Setup Costs
Physical Office Required
Best For:
Local Market Focus, Large Operations

Offshore Setup

Starting from
AED 12,000
up to AED 35,000
Asset Protection Benefits
International Operations
No Physical Presence
Limited Banking Options
Best For:
Holding Companies, Investments

Real-World Cost Examples

See actual cost breakdowns for common business setup scenarios in UAE.

DMCC Free Zone Trading Company

Single shareholder, 2 visas, shared office

DMCC License FeeAED 18,500
Shared Office (Annual)AED 12,000
Establishment CardAED 3,000
Visa Processing (2x)AED 6,000
Professional ServicesAED 8,500
Miscellaneous FeesAED 3,000
Total First Year:AED 51,000

Dubai Mainland LLC

Consulting services, 100% foreign ownership

DED License & ApprovalsAED 15,000
Office Rent (Annual)AED 35,000
MOA & Legal DocumentationAED 5,500
Visa Processing (3x)AED 9,000
PRO ServicesAED 12,000
Bank Account SetupAED 3,500
Total First Year:AED 80,000

Money-Saving Tips for UAE Business Setup

Expert strategies to reduce your business setup costs without compromising on quality or compliance.

Choose the Right Free Zone

Save up to AED 15,000

Compare costs across different free zones. Ajman and RAK often offer more affordable options than Dubai free zones.

Start with Minimum Visas

Save AED 3,000 per visa

Begin with essential visas only. You can always add more employee visas as your business grows.

Opt for Shared Office Space

Save up to AED 25,000/year

Use shared or flexi-desk options initially instead of dedicated offices to reduce rental costs significantly.

Bundle Services

Save 20-30% on services

Choose packages that include multiple services like PRO, legal, and setup assistance for better rates.

Time Your Setup

Save up to AED 10,000

Some free zones offer promotional rates during certain periods. Plan your setup during these windows.

Prepare Documents Early

Save AED 2,000-5,000

Have all documents ready and attested to avoid rush fees and expedited processing charges.

Don't Forget Annual Operating Costs

Beyond setup costs, plan for ongoing annual expenses to maintain your UAE business operations.

Free Zone Annual Costs

License Renewal
Varies by free zone
AED 8,000 - 25,000
Visa Renewals
Annual requirement
AED 2,500 per visa
Office Rent
Depends on size/location
AED 8,000 - 50,000
Accounting & Audit
Professional services
AED 8,000 - 15,000
Government Relations
PRO services
AED 3,000 - 8,000
Estimated Annual:AED 30,000 - 100,000

Mainland Annual Costs

Trade License Renewal
DED/emirate fees
AED 5,000 - 15,000
Visa Renewals
Including Emirates ID
AED 3,000 per visa
Office Rent
Physical office required
AED 20,000 - 150,000
Corporate Tax Filing
If profit > AED 375K
AED 5,000 - 15,000
Chamber Membership
Annual renewal
AED 1,500 - 3,000
Estimated Annual:AED 35,000 - 185,000

Pro Tip: Budget for Growth

Plan for 20-30% increase in annual costs as your business grows. Factor in additional visas, larger office space, and enhanced services as you scale operations in the UAE market.

Get Your Personalized UAE Business Setup Quote

Ready to start your UAE business? Use our calculator results to get accurate quotes from verified service providers.

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