Business setup cost estimator
Pick how you want to work in the UAE and see a first-year and a yearly renewal cost range, line by line, with what is an official fee, an estimate or your own number.
The fee includes up to 6 activities. Each extra one is AED 100.
Put 0 if you already have a residence visa (for example through your employer or family) and won't sponsor anyone.
20,000 is only an example for a small office. Type the rent you were quoted.
Business accounts often charge a monthly fee when your balance falls below a minimum. Ask the bank for its fee list and type it here.
Runs on your phone. Nothing you type is uploaded or saved.
What the labels mean
A fee or rule published by a government authority (for example the Abu Dhabi licensing authority or the Federal Tax Authority). It can still change: check before you pay.
A typical range from published 2026 fee guides. Real fees depend on your activity, legal form and number of visas, so ask the authority for your exact quote.
A number only you can know, such as a free zone package price, your rent or your bank's fees. Free zone fees vary a lot from one zone to another.
Corporate tax is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it. VAT registration is required above AED 375,000 of taxable sales a year. Registering with the FTA is free, but registering late can be fined.
Sources (last checked 27 October 2026): Federal Tax Authority, "Registration for VAT" (mandatory threshold AED 375,000, voluntary AED 187,500). Ministry of Finance via WAM: corporate tax 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above (Cabinet Decision No. 116 of 2022). Small business relief: Ministerial Decision No. 73 of 2023, extended by Ministerial Decision No. 131 of 2026 to tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029, for resident persons with revenue of AED 3 million or less who elect it; qualifying free zone persons can't use it. Natural persons register for corporate tax when business turnover passes AED 1 million in a calendar year (Cabinet Decision No. 49 of 2023); wages and personal investments don't count. Late corporate tax registration penalty AED 10,000 (FTA). Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority, "Freelancer Licence": AED 1,200 including 6 activities, AED 100 per extra activity, no office required, residency possible. Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (27 July 2021): business setup and renewal fees cut to AED 1,000, covering the licence, Abu Dhabi Chamber membership and local government fees; federal fees still apply. u.ae, "Work permits": the freelance permit is one of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation's permit types (its fee isn't listed there, so check with the authority). Dubai mainland and visa ranges are estimates from published 2026 business setup fee guides (Department of Economy and Tourism government fees about AED 13,900 to 16,200 without visas; establishment card about AED 750 to 3,500 a year; each residence visa about AED 3,000 to 6,500 for two years; mainland licences need a registered office and Ejari tenancy contract; flexi-desks about AED 5,000 to 15,000 a year). Dubai freelance permits are mostly issued by free zones, about AED 7,500 a year excluding the visa (Khaleej Times). Not legal or tax advice.