Setup pricing in Dubai is advertised aggressively and rarely completely. A headline figure normally covers the licence and nothing else, which is why founders routinely budget half of what the first year actually costs.
This breakdown lists every component of a Dubai setup with realistic 2026 ranges, shows two complete worked budgets, and explains where costs can safely be reduced and where cutting creates expensive problems later.
The full list of cost components
| Component | Typical range (AED) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name reservation and initial approval | 800 – 2,000 | One-off |
| Free zone licence | 12,000 – 35,000 | Annual |
| Mainland DET licence | 12,000 – 20,000 | Annual |
| MOA notarisation (mainland) | 1,500 – 3,500 | One-off |
| Office rent + Ejari (mainland) | 15,000 – 60,000 | Annual |
| Flexi-desk (free zone) | Included – 8,000 | Annual |
| Establishment card | 1,000 – 2,000 | Annual |
| Residence visa per person | 3,500 – 7,000 | Every 2 years |
| Medical test and Emirates ID | 700 – 1,200 | Per visa cycle |
| Health insurance per employee | 800 – 6,000 | Annual |
| Corporate bank account | 0 – 50,000 minimum balance | Held, not spent |
| Bookkeeping and tax compliance | 500 – 4,000 per month | Ongoing |
Worked example: free zone consultancy, two visas
- Licence with two-visa allocation: AED 18,500
- Establishment card: AED 1,500
- Two residence visas including medical and Emirates ID: AED 11,000
- Health insurance for two: AED 4,000
- Bookkeeping retainer: AED 12,000 per year
- Total first year: approximately AED 47,000
Worked example: mainland trading LLC, four visas
- Name, initial approval and MOA notarisation: AED 4,500
- DET licence: AED 16,000
- Small office with Ejari: AED 32,000
- Establishment card: AED 1,800
- Four residence visas including medical and Emirates ID: AED 22,000
- Health insurance for four: AED 9,000
- Bookkeeping and VAT filing: AED 24,000 per year
- Total first year: approximately AED 109,000
Year-two renewal costs
Renewal is usually cheaper than year one because the one-off items disappear, but the licence, workspace, establishment card and insurance all recur. Budget roughly 65–80% of the first-year figure, excluding visas, which renew on a two- or three-year cycle depending on the visa type.
Check the renewal rate before choosing a zone. Heavily discounted first-year offers occasionally renew at close to double the introductory price.
Where to save and where not to
Genuine savings come from taking the right visa quota rather than the largest, choosing a flexi-desk when a physical office adds nothing, and consolidating bookkeeping with a single provider.
False savings come from an ultra-cheap licence that a bank will not accept, a thin activity list that needs amending within months, or skipping bookkeeping until the corporate tax deadline. Each of those costs more to fix than it saved.
Payment plans and staged budgeting
Several free zones offer instalment plans across the licence year, and visa allocations can be drawn down as staff join rather than all at once. Structuring payments to match hiring keeps working capital available for the business itself.
الأسئلة الشائعة
What is the minimum cost to set up a business in Dubai?
A zero-visa free zone licence starts around AED 12,000 in Dubai, and lower in Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah. With one residence visa, a realistic minimum is AED 20,000 to AED 25,000.
How much does a mainland licence cost in Dubai?
Typically AED 18,000 to AED 40,000 in year one including notarisation and an Ejari-registered office, depending on the activity and premises.
Are there hidden fees in Dubai business setup?
Not hidden so much as unquoted: establishment card, visa processing, medical and Emirates ID, insurance, attestation and regulator approvals are usually outside the headline package.
How much money must I keep in a corporate bank account?
Minimum balance requirements commonly range from zero to AED 50,000 depending on the bank and account tier. It is held, not charged, but shortfalls incur monthly fees.
Do setup costs include residence visas?
Rarely. Most packages include the visa allocation entitlement, not the processing cost, which runs AED 3,500 to AED 7,000 per person.
How much is annual renewal?
Around 65% to 80% of first-year costs excluding one-off items, since the licence, workspace, establishment card and insurance all recur.
Can I pay setup fees in instalments?
Several free zones offer instalment plans, and visa allocations can be used gradually as you hire.
Does IDOS quote all-inclusive prices?
Yes. We issue an itemised quote covering government fees, workspace, visas and our fee, so the first-year figure is known before you commit.