BUSINESS SETUP · FREE ZONES
The free zone directory, compared honestly
Same specification across every row: one shareholder, one activity. That is the only way these zones become comparable, and it is why our table looks different from an agent's.
THE TABLE
Licence, all-in, and what each zone is actually for.
| Zone | Licence only | All-in year one, 2 visas | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHAMS (Sharjah) | AED 5,750 | AED 18,000 to 24,000 | Media, e-commerce, cheapest genuine entry |
| Fujairah Creative City | AED 5,520 | AED 15,000 to 21,000 | Freelance and media permits |
| RAKEZ | AED 6,000 | AED 16,000 to 22,000 | Low cost trading and services, audit often waived |
| Ajman Free Zone | ~AED 8,200 bundled with 1 visa | AED 16,000 to 22,000 | The cheapest genuine one-visa bundle |
| Meydan (Dubai) | AED 12,500 | AED 19,000 to 25,000 | A central Dubai address at low cost |
| IFZA (Dubai) | AED 12,900 | AED 20,000 to 26,000 | Dubai address, agent-only, broad activity list |
| Dubai South | AED 12,500 | AED 22,000 to 28,000 | Logistics and aviation near Al Maktoum |
| DMCC (Dubai) | ~AED 15,000 | AED 40,000 to 55,000 | Commodities, trading, strongest banking credibility |
| DAFZA (Dubai) | AED 12,000 to 50,000 | AED 45,000 to 65,000 | Airport logistics, audit required |
| ADGM (Abu Dhabi) | Tech startup from ~USD 700 | AED 40,000 to 55,000 | Common law, SPVs and fundsConfirmed |
| DIFC (Dubai) | Innovation licence ~USD 1,500 | AED 65,000 to 100,000+ | Finance, funds and family offices |
All figures Indicative unless labelled Confirmed. Free zones change pricing frequently and run promotions. Confirm the current schedule before committing. Figures marked Indicative come from registered agents and consultancies and must be verified against the zone's current schedule.
Aethoras holds partner relationships with certain free zones, including IFZA. We disclose this rather than let you discover it. We advise the zone that fits the structure, and we say plainly when a cheaper zone would serve you better.
Last updated 13 August 2026 Next review Q4 2026
ZONE FILES
The deep dives.
IFZA
Dubai address, agent-only sales, and the renewal reality.
OpenMeydan
Central Dubai address with per-visa pricing at AED 1,850.
OpenDMCC
Premium, and the strongest banking credibility in the country.
OpenSHAMS
Sharjah media and e-commerce, the cheapest genuine entry.
OpenRAKEZ
Low cost northern emirate zone where audit is often waived.
OpenDIFC
Common law, finance and family offices. Priced accordingly.
OpenADGM
Abu Dhabi common law, priced from the published fee schedule.
OpenQUESTIONS
Asked while choosing.
How many free zones are there?
More than forty across the seven emirates. Fewer than ten matter for most businesses, and the choice usually comes down to address perception at the bank and how many visas you need.
Why is the same zone quoted at three different prices?
Because agents bundle differently. Every price here is Indicative unless marked otherwise and must be verified against the zone's current schedule. Free zones change pricing frequently and run promotions.
Does a cheap zone hurt my banking?
It can. DMCC, DIFC, ADGM and JAFZA are viewed favourably. Some low-cost northern emirate zones, pure offshore vehicles and virtual-office-only setups create friction. Read the banking section before you register.
GO DEEPER
Related reading.
What setup actually costs
The all-in year one number once a visa is attached, zone by zone, with an estimator.
OpenFree zone against mainland
Market access, banking perception, quota, office, tax and exit, compared line by line.
OpenBanking
The step where UAE plans fail. Timelines, scrutiny and rejection reality.
OpenCorporate tax and the 0 percent myth
The seven QFZP conditions in full, Small Business Relief and how companies fail.
OpenThe three-year cost model
Free zone against mainland Dubai and Abu Dhabi, across three full years.
OpenSetting up a company in the UAE
The four questions that decide the structure, and the three routes described honestly.
Open