Setup · Pricing
What It Really Costs to Start a Business in Dubai in 2026
June 2026 · 8 min read
Most 'AED 5,750 setup' ads quote the licence alone and quietly leave out visas, establishment cards, medicals, Emirates IDs, deposits and the bank account. Here's the honest, line-itemed total — so you can budget without surprises.
Free-zone all-in: AED 18,000–28,000 in year one
A realistic single-visa free-zone setup (IFZA, RAKEZ, SHAMS) lands at AED 18,000–22,000 all-in: licence (~AED 12,500), establishment card (~AED 2,000), visa + medical + Emirates ID (~AED 4,500), and AED 1,000–3,000 in Gulf Rest's advisory and PRO fees. DMCC and DIFC start higher — typically AED 35,000–60,000 — because of office and zone fees.
Mainland all-in: AED 22,000–38,000 in year one
DET mainland with one visa typically runs AED 22,000–28,000: DET licence and trade name, Chamber of Commerce, MoA and initial approvals, Ejari office (flexi-desk acceptable for many activities), establishment card, then visa, medical and Emirates ID. Regulated activities (legal, medical, financial) add external approval fees.
What people forget to budget for
Bank account opening (free but 4–8 weeks; some banks require AED 25,000–50,000 minimum balance) · refundable visa deposit (AED 2,500–3,000 per visa) · health insurance (AED 800–4,000 per person, mandatory) · VAT registration if turnover crosses AED 375,000 · annual audit (free zones increasingly require it) · renewal at year two — typically 80–90% of year one. Most 'cheap setup' surprises come from these line items.
How to actually compare quotes
Ask any provider for a single PDF with: government fees, zone fees, visa costs per person, PRO fees, year-two renewal estimate, and what happens if you add a second visa or shareholder. If they won't put it on paper, the headline price is a hook. Gulf Rest sends fixed all-in quotes with no line item hidden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the absolute cheapest legitimate way to start in Dubai?
A SHAMS or RAKEZ freelance permit at roughly AED 12,500–15,000 in year one with one 2-year visa. It's only suitable for solo professionals invoicing in their own name — not for hiring or trading goods.
Do I need to deposit share capital in a UAE bank?
No — most free zones and DET no longer require paid-up capital evidence. Banks may ask for an operating balance after onboarding, but capital injection is not gated.
How long until I can actually start invoicing?
Licence in 3–7 working days; bank account in 3–8 weeks. Many of our clients invoice from a foreign account in the interim and migrate once UAE banking is live.
What does year-two renewal cost?
Plan for 80–90% of year one. Most fees recur; the saving is in skipping incorporation and trade-name reservation.
Is health insurance really mandatory?
Yes, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for every visa holder. Basic compliant plans start around AED 800 per year; family-grade cover runs AED 4,000–10,000.
Get a real, no-surprises quote.
Tell us your activity, visa count and whether you need an office. We'll send a fixed all-in PDF quote within the same day — government fees, our fees, year-two renewal, all on one page.