Every UAE free zone, side by side
What each zone is for, what it lets you do, and what it publishes about cost. Written for founders and freelancers, not to sell you a package.
Free zone comparison
| Free zone | Best for | Office options | Set up remotely | Published entry price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMCCDubai, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre | Commodity traders and established companies wanting a large Dubai business district address. | Flexi-desk, Co-working, Office | Not stated | AED 35,484Basic Biz Package: DMCC company licence with flexi-desk (eligible for 1 visa, visa not included); for individual shareholders only |
| JafzaDubai, Jebel Ali Free Zone | Importers, distributors and manufacturers needing warehouses or land next to Jebel Ali Port. | Co-working / workstation, Office, Warehouse, Land, Showroom | Yes | Not published |
| IFZADubai, International Free Zone Authority | Consultants, traders and remote founders wanting a Dubai licence without a large office. | Office (IFZA Business Park) | Yes | Not published |
| Meydan FZDubai, Meydan Free Zone | Non-resident and solo founders who want a fully online Dubai licence with visas optional. | Flexi-desk, Office | Yes | AED 12,500Digital trade licence with flexi-desk and up to 3 activity groups, 0 visas (visas, immigration card and other services extra) |
| DAFZDubai, Dubai Airport Freezone | Trading, aviation-linked and light industrial firms wanting a base beside Dubai International Airport. | Office, Warehouse, Light industrial unit, Retail | Not stated | Not published |
| DSODubai, Dubai Silicon Oasis | Tech companies and startups wanting a tech park with offices, light industry and housing nearby. | Co-working / workstation, Office, Warehouse, Light industrial unit, Land | Not stated | Not published |
| DDADubai, Dubai Development Authority | Tech, media, education and design businesses wanting a TECOM district address such as Internet City. | Check with the zone | Not stated | Not published |
| Dubai SouthDubai, Dubai South Free Zone | Logistics and aviation businesses wanting a base beside Al Maktoum International Airport. | Check with the zone | Not stated | Not published |
| DIFCDubai, Dubai International Financial Centre | Financial firms, family offices and holding structures that want common-law courts and regulation. | Office, Co-working (Innovation Hub) | Not stated | Not published |
| ADGMAbu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Global Market | Financial firms, holding companies, foundations and tech startups wanting Abu Dhabi common-law jurisdiction. | Office, Co-working | Not stated | Not published |
| Masdar City FZAbu Dhabi, Masdar City Free Zone | Clean-tech, AI, biotech and research startups wanting an Abu Dhabi free zone licence. | Flexi-desk, Office | Not stated | AED 7,000Startup Package: licence and registration with up to 2 business activities; no visa or desk listed |
| KEZADAbu Dhabi, Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi | Manufacturers, logistics firms and traders needing land or warehouses near Khalifa Port. | Shared workstation, Office, Warehouse, Land | Not stated | AED 9,4501-year free zone business package with 1 visa, VAT included |
| twofour54Abu Dhabi | Media, gaming, film and content businesses wanting an Abu Dhabi base with studios. | Hot-desk, Co-working, Office | Not stated | Not published |
| RAKEZRas Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone | Freelancers, SMEs and manufacturers wanting low setup costs and industrial land options. | Co-working, Serviced office, Office, Warehouse, Land | Yes | AED 6,000Biz Starter package for UAE-based applicants: licence with co-working membership; visas not listed as included |
| Innovation CityRas Al Khaimah | Web3, AI, gaming and other tech startups wanting a Ras Al Khaimah free zone licence. | Shared desk, Dedicated desk | Not stated | AED 6,600Idea package, per year: 0 visas, shared desk, 10 activities; marked as a limited-time offer |
| ShamsSharjah, Sharjah Media City | Content creators, media freelancers and small service businesses wanting a low-cost, fully online setup. | Flexi-desk | Yes | Not published |
| SPC Free ZoneSharjah, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone | Publishers, e-commerce sellers and consultants wanting a low-cost Sharjah licence. | Flexi-desk, Co-working | Not stated | AED 5,7501-year business licence with up to 5 activity groups; excludes residence visas and other one-time charges |
| HFZASharjah, Hamriyah Free Zone | Heavy industry, oil and gas and maritime businesses needing land with port access. | Office, Warehouse, Land | Not stated | Not published |
| SAIF ZoneSharjah, Sharjah Airport International Free Zone | Trading, logistics and manufacturing firms wanting warehouses beside Sharjah International Airport. | Office, Warehouse, Land | Not stated | Not published |
| AFZAjman, Ajman Free Zone | Small traders, light manufacturers and freelancers wanting a Northern Emirates base near Ajman Port. | Business centre, Co-working, Office, Warehouse, Land | Not stated | Not published |
| ANCFZAjman, Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone | Remote founders wanting a low-cost licence with no visit and up to 10 mixed activities. | Office | Yes | AED 4,888Zero Visa Package: licence, lease agreement and incorporation documents, 0 visas |
| UAQ FTZUmm Al Quwain, Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone | Overseas owners and small traders who need a licence without a visa at low renewal cost. | Co-working, Executive office, Warehouse | Yes | AED 5,500UAQ LYTE: free zone licence with co-working space, 0 visas; renewal also AED 5,500 |
| Creative CityFujairah, Creative City Fujairah | Media, marketing and creative freelancers and small agencies wanting a fully remote setup. | Flexi-desk, Co-working, Office, Virtual office | Yes | Not published |
| FFZFujairah, Fujairah Free Zone | Trading, warehousing and manufacturing firms that need East Coast access via Fujairah Port. | Warehouse | Not stated | Not published |
Prices are only shown where a zone publishes one on its own website. Last verified 23 October 2026. Packages change often; confirm with the zone before paying.
Guides
All guides- The free zone de minimis rule, with worked examples
How the UAE free zone de minimis test works: non-qualifying revenue capped at the lower of AED 5m or 5%, what's excluded, and four worked examples.
23 October 2026 - E-invoicing for free zone companies: deadlines, ASPs, penalties
Free zone companies are not exempt from UAE e-invoicing. Deadlines for both revenue bands, what an Accredited Service Provider does, and the fines.
23 October 2026 - What a 1-visa free zone company really costs in year 1
Year-1 cost of a one-visa free zone company at SHAMS, SPC, RAKEZ and Meydan, from the zones' own prices plus the costs people forget. Verified Oct 2026.
23 October 2026 - Influencer licence in the UAE: which free zone fits?
UAE influencers need a trade licence plus the Advertiser Permit. How they fit, freelance vs company, which free zones offer creator activities, and fines.
23 October 2026 - Dubai free zone mainland operating permit: cost and tax
Dubai's Free Zone Mainland Operating Permit costs AED 5,000 for six months. Who can apply, how it differs from a branch licence, and how income is taxed.
23 October 2026 - Moving your company between free zones without liquidating
How UAE re-domiciliation works under Decree-Law 20 of 2025, which zones publish transfer rules, the steps, and the tax and visa effects of moving.
23 October 2026
Free zone news
All news- DMCC sets up Foundations Regulations: what a DMCC foundation is
DMCC has adopted Foundations Regulations, letting families and founders hold assets in a DMCC foundation. Who it suits, what is known and how it compares.
23 October 2026 - E-invoicing: AED 50m+ firms must appoint a provider by 30 October
UAE businesses with revenue of AED 50m or more must appoint an accredited e-invoicing provider by 30 October 2026. Free zone companies are not exempt.
23 October 2026 - Masdar City Free Zone named in fDi's 2026 global top 10
Masdar City Free Zone made the top 10 in fDi's Global Free Zones of the Year 2026. What the award tells a founder, and how it compares with ADGM.
23 October 2026