Total Setup Cost Estimator
Get a directional cost estimate based on your activity, team size, and office needs.
What will your business do?
How this estimator works
The estimator walks through the decisions that drive UAE setup pricing — your business activity, how many visas you need, whether you want a flexi-desk or a physical office, and free zone versus mainland — and combines them with published authority pricing to produce an indicative first-year range. It is directional guidance based on verified price lists, not a quote: final costs depend on the exact zone, package, and approvals your activity requires, so always confirm with the authority or a licensed agent before committing.
What actually drives UAE setup costs
The headline licence fee is only one layer. A realistic first-year budget covers the licence itself, one-off establishment and immigration steps, a visa cost per person (medical test, Emirates ID, and stamping), office or flexi-desk requirements, and banking support if you use it. Mainland setups add Ejari-registered office costs, while free zone packages often bundle a desk into the licence.
Renewal is the layer founders most often miss: licence and visa fees recur, and a package that looks cheap in year one can become less attractive when renewal, amendments, or extra visas are priced in. The estimate here models the full first year so you can compare routes on the complete picture rather than the advertised starting price.
Who this is for
Built for first-time founders comparing free zones, owners weighing free zone against mainland, and operators adding visas or upgrading offices who want to sanity-check a quote. Pair it with the free zone picker to shortlist jurisdictions and the comparison pages to see trade-offs side by side.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a business in the UAE?
Basic free zone licences start from around AED 5,750 per year, but most founders spend AED 15,000–35,000 in year one once visas, a desk or office, and banking support are included. The total depends on your activity, visa count, and jurisdiction — model the full first year, not just the licence fee.
Is mainland more expensive than a free zone?
Usually, because mainland requires an Ejari-registered physical office, which adds significant annual cost. Free zone packages often include a flexi-desk. However, mainland gives unrestricted access to the local UAE market — the right choice depends on where your clients are, not just price.
What does each visa add to the cost?
Plan for roughly AED 3,500–5,000 per person covering the entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, and visa stamping, on top of your licence package. Visa capacity also depends on your office type, so more visas can push you into a bigger package.
How accurate is this estimate?
Estimates use published authority pricing verified against official sources, but they are directional, not quotes. Final pricing varies by zone, package, approvals, and timing. Always confirm current pricing with the relevant authority or a licensed service agent before committing.