VERIFIED 2026 · ALL-IN · FORMENZO
How much is a Dubai trade licence?
A Dubai trade licence in 2026 starts at AED 12,500 all-in for a licence only at Meydan Free Zone, with IFZA at AED 12,900. With one residence visa, the cheapest Dubai trade licence is IFZA at AED 17,615 all-in, versus Meydan at AED 24,450.
Every figure here is the real, all-in 2026 price — government/authority fee, our setup service and the residence-visa block — confirmed in writing, with no sales call. See the full Cost Index or the open price dataset (CC-BY).
Build your exact price →By the Formenzo Research Team · compare all 9 zones
What sits behind the Dubai starting prices
Dubai has three zones in Formenzo's 2026 dataset. Meydan Free Zone is the cheapest way to hold a Dubai licence with no visa at AED 12,500, with IFZA close behind at AED 12,900. The order reverses once residency enters: IFZA's one-visa package is AED 17,615 all-in against Meydan's AED 24,450, and at two visas IFZA is AED 24,080 to Meydan's AED 34,400.
Who picks a Dubai licence
Founders for whom the Dubai address itself earns money: marketing and creative agencies pitching Dubai-headquartered brands, property and investment consultants who meet clients face to face, and recruiters placing staff with Dubai employers. Businesses without that need often register in a cheaper emirate instead — see the UAE-wide ranking.
Two things founders ask
Why is DMCC not in the starting prices? DMCC, Dubai's third major zone, costs AED 35,484 for the licence alone and prices its visa packages individually, so it is a flagship choice rather than a budget entry point.
Do prices change with the business activity? Standard professional and trading activities fit the quoted packages; regulated fields such as healthcare, education or financial services need extra approvals, so the written quote is confirmed before anything is filed.