The cheapest free zones in the UAE, on their own published prices

Ask five setup companies which free zone is cheapest and you’ll probably get five answers. Most lists online were written a year or two ago, and many quote package prices that the free zones themselves don’t publish.

We do it differently. Every price below comes from the free zone’s own website or fee schedule. Each one shows where we found it and when we last checked it. If a free zone doesn’t publish its prices, we say so instead of guessing.

Why the cheapest licence isn’t always the cheapest company

The licence fee is only the first line of your bill. Before you choose, check four things:

1. Visas. Most founders need at least one residence visa. Visa costs vary a lot between free zones.
2. Office. Some packages include a flexi desk; others require you to rent space.
3. Activities. Your business activity has to be on that free zone’s list. A cheap zone that doesn’t allow your activity is no use.
4. Renewal. The second year can cost more than the first, especially when the first year had a promotion.

Also check where your customers are. A free zone company usually can’t serve customers on the UAE mainland directly. Shops, restaurants and on-site services like cleaning often need a mainland licence instead.