Cost of business setup in the UAE: the 2026 guide
"How much does it cost?" is the first question every founder asks — and the honest answer is "it depends." Here's exactly what it depends on, with realistic numbers.
In this guide
1. The licence itself
Your trade licence is the core cost. A free-zone licence is usually the cheapest route, starting from around AED 4,888 for a zero-visa package. Mainland licences typically start higher because of registration and office requirements, and offshore sits in between. The exact figure depends on the free zone you choose and how many business activities you need.
2. Visas and residency
If you want to live in the UAE, you'll add an investor or partner visa — including the entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID and stamping. As a rough guide, a free-zone package with one visa lands around AED 10,800, and two visas around AED 16,200. Each additional visa adds cost and may require a larger office.
3. Office and address
Every licence needs a registered address. A flexi-desk or virtual office keeps costs low and is often bundled into free-zone packages. A dedicated desk or private office costs more but unlocks more visas — important if you're hiring.
4. Tax, compliance and extras
Budget for the things that are easy to forget: Corporate Tax registration (from AED 399), VAT registration if you'll exceed AED 375,000 turnover, accounting, and any activity-specific government approvals. Factoring these in early avoids surprises.
5. Estimate yours in seconds
Rather than guess, use our free cost calculator to build a transparent estimate, or run the Ambizent Advisor to get a recommended setup and a banking-readiness score. When you're ready, we'll turn it into a fixed quote.