Find your ideal UAE free zone

A free zone is a designated economic area that lets you own a company with 100% foreign ownership, repatriate profits, and benefit from streamlined setup. Free zone companies trade freely within their zone and internationally; to sell directly into the UAE mainland they typically work through a distributor or open a mainland branch. Mainland (DED) licences allow direct local trade but historically required more structure.

Indicative all-in first-year costs typically range from about AED 12,000–20,000 for a lean package in a low-cost emirate, AED 20,000–50,000 for the most popular Dubai packages, and AED 50,000+ for premium or financial-centre zones. Your total depends on the licence, office type (flexi desk, shared, dedicated, or warehouse), and number of visas. The Free Zone Finder estimates this for each match.

Free zone companies can serve clients inside their free zone and abroad without restriction. To supply goods or services directly into the mainland, you generally appoint a mainland distributor or agent, register a mainland branch, or use a dual-licence option that some zones now offer.

Visa quotas depend on the zone and your office type. A flexi desk commonly supports a few visas (often up to 4–6), while shared, dedicated, and warehouse facilities unlock higher allocations. Industrial zones with land and warehouses can support the largest teams.

The UAE applies a 9% federal corporate tax on taxable profits above AED 375,000. A Qualifying Free Zone Person can benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income if it meets the conditions (adequate substance, qualifying activities, and transfer-pricing rules). All companies must still register for corporate tax — confirm your position with an advisor.

VAT registration is mandatory once taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 over 12 months, and voluntary above AED 187,500 — this applies to most free zone companies. Some transactions in 'designated zones' have special VAT treatment, but standard registration thresholds still apply.

Many free zones issue a licence within 1–4 weeks once documents are in order; some offer instant or same-week licences. Premium and financial-centre zones, or setups involving warehouses, external approvals, or regulated activities, can take longer.

There is no single 'best' free zone — it depends on your activity, budget, visa needs, office type, and timeline. This Free Zone Finder compares leading UAE free zones against your inputs and ranks them by best overall fit, lowest cost, and fastest setup. Use it as a starting point, then validate the shortlist with a specialist.