UAE Business Setup Cost Calculator

Estimate the approximate first-year cost of forming a company in the UAE. Pick your entity, visas, and office, and get an indicative cost range, plus the annual renewal and the cost to close that most quotes leave out.

Setting up a company in the UAE costs approximately AED 12,500 to AED 30,000 for the licence alone, before visas and office. A realistic first-year all-in for a solo founder with one visa and a flexi-desk is higher. Every number here is an indicative range, not a quote: use the calculator to size your specific setup, then we confirm the exact cost for your activity.

Entity type

Residence visas

Office

Free Zone Company licensing & registrationAED 12,500 - AED 25,000

Residence visas (2)AED 7,000 - AED 12,000

Office (No office)None

Estimated first year (approx.)~AED 19,500 to AED 37,000

Ongoing & exit (indicative)

Annual renewal (year 2 onward)AED 11,000 - AED 22,000/yr

Cost to close / dissolve laterAED 2,500 - AED 8,000

Most quotes show only the first-year setup. We show the annual renewal and the cost to close too, so there are no surprises later. 100% foreign ownership; most zones require no mandatory paid-up capital.

Note: Costs are indicative and may change with your requirements and regulations. Contact us for a tailored quote.

What the estimate includes

The headline figure is the approximate first-year setup only: licensing and registration, your chosen number of residence visas, and any office or flexi-desk. It is shown as a range because free zone and mainland pricing varies with activity, promotions, and office type. We deliberately also show the annual renewal (from year two) and the cost to close the entity later, the two figures most quotes hide, so the picture is honest.

To compare the starting cost of specific free zones side by side, use our UAE free zone cost comparison. For the full picture of structures and jurisdiction choice, see business setup in the UAE and business setup in Dubai.

Want the exact cost for your setup?

Send your entity, visa count, and activity. We will turn the estimate into a precise, itemised quote with no teaser rates.

Serving clients across 15+ jurisdictions with absolute discretion