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UAE free zones, compared honestly

Free zones offer many foreign founders a practical UAE setup route, but the authorities are not interchangeable. Compare the licensed activity, market access, workspace, visas, current fees and renewal terms before choosing a package.

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The basics

What a free zone actually gives you

Free zones are self-contained economic areas, each run by its own authority with its own license, activities and price list. They were built to attract foreign business, so the perks are real and consistent across the board:

  • 100% foreign ownership: no local sponsor or Emirati partner needed, ever.
  • 0% personal income tax: and 0% corporate tax on qualifying free zone income (9% only on non-qualifying income).
  • Full profit repatriation: move your money home without restriction.
  • Fast, largely remote setup: most free zone licenses are issued in 3 to 7 working days.
  • Residence visas: for you and your team, scaled to the package you choose.

The honest limit: a free zone company trades within its zone and internationally, but to sell directly into the UAE mainland market it needs a distributor, dual license or branch. If your customers are onshore, read our mainland setup page — we'll point you there if it fits better.

How to choose between zones

Once you've decided a free zone is right, three things decide which one:

  • Your activity. Commodities and crypto lean DMCC; consulting, trading and services fit IFZA or Meydan; industrial and SME budgets fit RAKEZ.
  • Your budget. Starting prices range from about AED 5,555 to AED 35,000 — a wide spread for what can look like the same license.
  • Your address. A Dubai zone carries prestige and proximity; a Ras Al Khaimah zone saves you real money for the same UAE trade license.

Below are the four zones we set up most often. See the full step-by-step on our free zone company formation page, or get an instant figure from the cost calculator.

Popular zones

The free zones we set up most

Four proven picks across Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. Tap any zone for the full breakdown, packages and FAQs.

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IFZA

Dubai · from AED 12,900. The cost-effective all-rounder — flexible packages for consulting, trading and services, no audit for many activities.

IFZA setup →
🏙️

Meydan

Dubai · from AED 12,500. A prestigious Downtown-adjacent address with fast digital setup — a favourite for startups, freelancers and e-commerce.

Meydan setup →
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DMCC

Dubai · from AED 35,000. The world's #1 free zone in JLT — premium-priced, built for commodities, crypto and serious trading. Audit required.

DMCC setup →
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RAKEZ

Ras Al Khaimah · from AED 6,000. One of the most cost-effective zones — strong for SMEs, industrial and trading, with zero-visa and multi-visa options.

RAKEZ setup →
Side by side

Compare the featured free zones

Real starting prices and honest positioning. Government fees are shown separately in your fixed quote.

ZoneEmirateFromBest forVisa options
IFZADubaiAED 12,900Consulting, trading, services0 to multi-visa packages
MeydanDubaiAED 12,500Startups, freelancers, e-commerceUp to several, package-based
DMCCDubaiAED 35,000Commodities, crypto, tradingQuota by office / flexi-desk
RAKEZRas Al KhaimahAED 6,000SMEs, industrial, tradingZero-visa to multi-visa
See transparent pricingHow free zone setup works
Answers

UAE free zones: common questions

What is a UAE free zone?
A free zone is a designated economic area with its own licensing authority. It lets foreign owners hold 100% of the company, pay 0% personal income tax, and repatriate profits freely. The UAE has more than 56 free zones, each with its own activities, packages and pricing.
Which free zone is the cheapest?
Among the popular options, RAKEZ in Ras Al Khaimah is one of the most cost-effective, with licenses from around AED 6,000. In Dubai, Meydan and IFZA start from roughly AED 12,500 to AED 12,900. Premium zones like DMCC start higher, from around AED 35,000. We match the zone to your activity and budget rather than pushing the priciest option.
Can a free zone company do business on the UAE mainland?
A free zone company trades freely within its zone and internationally. To sell directly to the UAE mainland market it usually needs a mainland distributor, a dual license, or a branch. If most of your customers are onshore in the UAE, a mainland license is often the better fit — we'll tell you honestly.
Do all free zones offer residence visas?
Most do, but the allocation is tied to your package and, in some zones, your office type. RAKEZ and IFZA offer zero-visa packages up to multi-visa bundles. DMCC visa quotas depend on the flexi-desk or office you take. We size the package to the number of visas you actually need — each residence visa runs about AED 3,000–5,000 including medical and Emirates ID.
Is free zone income really tax-free?
There's 0% personal income tax in the UAE. A free zone company can also qualify for 0% corporate tax on qualifying income as a Qualifying Free Zone Person, but non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. The rules are specific, so we help you register correctly and stay compliant.

Not sure which free zone fits?

Tell us your activity, budget and visa needs. We'll recommend the right zone — even when it's the cheaper one — and hand you a fixed, itemised quote the same day, renewal cost included.

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