UAE Free-Zone Cost Index 2026
Published 3 June 2026 · Updated 3 June 2026 · By Formenzo (FZE)
Setting up a company in a UAE free zone costs between AED 4,888 and AED 14,000 all-in in 2026, with an average starting price of about AED 8,643. The cheapest is Ajman NuVentures Centre at AED 4,888; the highest starting price is RAKEZ at AED 14,000. This index ranks all 9 UAE free zones Formenzo tracks by their all-in starting price — every figure includes the government/authority fee, the service fee and the residence-visa block.
UAE free zones ranked by all-in price (2026)
| Rank | Free zone | Emirate | From (all-in) | Packages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Ajman NuVentures Centre · cheapest | Ajman | AED 4,888 | 77 |
| #2 | Fujairah Creative City | Fujairah | AED 4,900 | 5 |
| #3 | SRTIP | Sharjah | AED 5,500 | 60 |
| #4 | SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | AED 5,750 | 2 |
| #5 | Masdar City Free Zone | Abu Dhabi | AED 7,000 | 4 |
| #6 | DMCC | Dubai | AED 10,345 | 15 |
| #7 | Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | AED 12,500 | 2 |
| #8 | IFZA | Dubai | AED 12,900 | 10 |
| #9 | RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 14,000 | 1 |
What is the cheapest UAE free zone in 2026?
The cheapest UAE free-zone company licence is Ajman NuVentures Centre at AED 4,888 all-in, followed by Fujairah Creative City (AED 4,900) and SRTIP in Sharjah (AED 5,500). All three are well below the 9-zone average of about AED 8,643. These starting prices are for a licence with no residence visa; adding visas increases the total (see the visa breakdown below).
How much does it cost to set up a company in Dubai?
Among Dubai free zones, the cheapest all-in starting price is DMCC at AED 10,345, followed by Meydan Free Zone (AED 12,500) and IFZA (AED 12,900). Dubai free zones generally start higher than the northern emirates and Sharjah — a Dubai licence typically begins around AED 10,000+, versus under AED 6,000 in Ajman, Fujairah or Sharjah.
Cheapest free zone in each emirate
| Emirate | Cheapest free zone | From (all-in) |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | DMCC | AED 10,345 |
| Abu Dhabi | Masdar City Free Zone | AED 7,000 |
| Sharjah | SRTIP | AED 5,500 |
| Ajman | Ajman NuVentures Centre | AED 4,888 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | RAKEZ | AED 14,000 |
| Fujairah | Fujairah Creative City | AED 4,900 |
How much do residence visas add to the cost?
Free-zone pricing rises with the number of residence visas you include. Below is the all-in cost by visa count for three zones that publish clear visa tiers. Several zones (DMCC, Meydan, RAKEZ) use flexible-visa packages priced individually rather than fixed tiers.
| Free zone | 0 visas | 1 visa | 2 visas | 3 visas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman NuVentures Centre | AED 4,888 | AED 10,800 | AED 16,200 | AED 20,700 |
| SRTIP | AED 5,500 | AED 13,990 | AED 17,795 | AED 26,035 |
| IFZA | AED 12,900 | AED 16,900 | AED 22,650 | AED 28,400 |
Why are Dubai free zones more expensive?
Dubai free zones (DMCC, Meydan, IFZA) command a premium for the Dubai address, prestige and ecosystem — their all-in starting prices run roughly AED 10,000–13,000. Free zones in Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah offer the same 100% foreign ownership and 0% personal income tax, with licences starting under AED 6,000, which is why cost-sensitive founders often choose them.
How we calculate these prices
Every figure is an all-in indicative price: the government/free-zone authority fee, Formenzo's service fee, and the residence-visa block where included. Prices are sourced from current free-zone packages and verified before publication; we confirm your exact figure in writing and lock it for 14 days before any filing. Figures are in UAE dirham (AED) and were last verified in June 2026. UAE free zones offer 100% foreign ownership and 0% personal income tax.
Compare all 9 free zones live — by your visa count
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Compare UAE free zones →FAQ
Q: What is the cheapest free zone in the UAE?
Ajman NuVentures Centre, from AED 4,888 all-in (2026).
Q: What is the cheapest free zone in Dubai?
DMCC, from AED 10,345 all-in.
Q: How long does it take to get a UAE free-zone licence?
Typically 3 to 8 working days, depending on the zone.
Q: Are these the final prices?
They are all-in indicative figures (authority fee + service fee + visa block). We confirm the exact price in writing and lock it for 14 days before filing.