Is UAE Free Zone Directory official government advice?

No. UAE Freezone Compare is an independent private comparison platform. Use this page for planning and confirm final requirements with the relevant authority, bank, licensed advisor or government channel.

Can prices, visa rules, activities or banking requirements change?

Yes. Free zone packages, renewal fees, visas, office requirements, activity approvals, banking review and government charges can change. Request a current verified quote before payment.

What should I confirm before choosing a UAE free zone?

Confirm the exact activity wording, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, establishment card, renewal exposure, hidden fees, banking suitability and source-backed price confidence.

All UAE Free Zones 2026 - Browse 52 Zones by Emirate

Showing 8 Abu Dhabi free zones

Directory pricing note: Setup cost figures are indicative planning figures unless an individual profile marks a price as verified. Price confidence: indicative public package data. Source confidence: public package data and manual research, last reviewed June 2026. Banking difficulty: varies by activity, documents, shareholder profile and bank risk review; check each profile before choosing.

Setup Cost

From AED 15,000

Price confidence: Conflicting public sources. Source type: Multiple public consultant sources; official authority licensing and facility context; current itemised quote required. Last reviewed: Not officially verified.

Visa Options

Up to 5

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Aviation Services Aircraft Maintenance & Repair Aerospace Manufacturing Air Cargo

Setup Cost

Quote-based via ADGM fee schedules

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority fee schedule. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Flexible (activity dependent)

Min. Capital

USD 1 for SPVs; varies by licence category

Setup Time

Licence category and regulatory approval dependent

Asset Management Investment Banking Wealth Management Private Equity

Setup Cost

Clinic and facility rates; quote required from ADHC

Price confidence: Quote-based. Source type: Authority quote required. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Visa Options

Facility size and licence dependent

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Regulatory approval and facility fit-out dependent

Hospitals Medical Centres Specialist Clinics Dental Clinics

Setup Cost

Application-based (equity or fee model for incubation); direct licence from AED 12,000

Price confidence: Indicative public package data. Source type: Public package / manual research. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Visa Options

Up to 3 (startup package)

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Application review and cohort admission dependent

Technology Startups Fintech Edtech Healthtech

Setup Cost

From AED 18,000

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority package page. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Up to 6

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Heavy Industry Port Logistics Container Handling Aluminum Processing

Setup Cost

From AED 18,000

Price confidence: Indicative public package data. Source type: Public package / manual research. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Visa Options

Facility and activity dependent

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Land lease and facility construction dependent

Industrial Manufacturing Heavy Industry Aluminum Smelting & Processing Steel Manufacturing

Setup Cost

AED 7,000 licence component; total to be confirmed

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority package page. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Business One includes 1 visa; Enterprise lists a 3-visa quota

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Quote-based after package, documents and authority approval

Renewable Energy Solar Energy Technology Photovoltaics Wind Energy

Setup Cost

Quote-based via twofour54 enquiry

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official Creative Media Authority fee schedule and cost calculator. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

CMA publishes separate residency-visa and Emirates ID components; eligibility depends on legal form and workspace

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package, workspace and authority review dependent

Media Production Film Production Television Broadcasting Radio Production

What Are UAE Free Zones?

UAE Freezone Compare tracks 50 UAE free zones across all seven emirates, each designed to attract foreign investment with 100% foreign ownership, simplified company setup, and full profit repatriation. Free zones operate under their own regulatory frameworks and are useful for startups, SMEs, and multinational corporations looking to establish a presence in the Gulf region. Costs are indicative and should be confirmed before committing to a package.

Browse UAE Free Zones by Emirate

Each emirate offers a distinct ecosystem of free zones tailored to specific industries and business needs:

Dubai Free Zones — Home to DMCC, DIFC, DAFZA, Dubai Internet City, and 30+ others. Ideal for finance, tech, media, and trading.

Abu Dhabi Free Zones — ADGM, KEZAD, Masdar City, twofour54. Best for financial services, energy, and media.

Sharjah Free Zones — SAIF Zone, SHAMS, SPC Free Zone. Cost-effective options with strong manufacturing and media support.

Ras Al Khaimah Free Zones — RAKEZ, RAKIA, RAK Media City. Among the most affordable free zones in the UAE.

Ajman, Fujairah & UAQ Free Zones — Budget-friendly options suited to trading, industrial, and logistics businesses.

How to Choose the Right UAE Free Zone

Selecting the right free zone depends on four key factors: your business activity, your budget, your visa requirements, and your target market. Use the filters on this page to narrow down free zones by emirate, setup cost, and visa options. You can also use our free zone comparison tool to see side-by-side costs and benefits.

Key questions to ask: Does the free zone license your specific activity? What is the minimum share capital? How many visas are included in the base package? Can you open a UAE corporate bank account?

Frequently Asked Questions About UAE Free Zones

Answers to the most common questions from entrepreneurs and investors.

How many free zones are there in the UAE?+

UAE Freezone Compare currently tracks 50 UAE free zones across the seven emirates, covering Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain.

What is the cheapest free zone in the UAE?+

Lower-cost UAE free zone licenses can start from around AED 5,750 per year in available package data, including options commonly associated with SHAMS (Sharjah Media City), SPC Free Zone, and UAQ Free Trade Zone. Price confidence: indicative public package data. Source type: public package/manual research. Last reviewed: June 2026. The total cost depends on your license type, office space requirement, visa options and current authority package.

Can a foreigner own 100% of a UAE free zone company?+

Yes. All UAE free zones allow 100% foreign ownership of companies registered within them. This is one of the primary advantages of free zone formation compared to mainland UAE, where certain activities may have different ownership structures depending on the business activity.

Do UAE free zone companies pay tax?+

UAE free zone companies that meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) criteria under the UAE Corporate Tax Law (effective June 2023) benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income. Non-qualifying income is subject to the standard 9% corporate tax. Personal income tax does not apply in the UAE regardless of residency status.

What is the difference between a UAE free zone and mainland company?+

Free zone companies operate within a designated economic zone and can trade freely within that zone and internationally, but must appoint a local distributor or agent to sell directly to the UAE mainland market. Mainland companies can operate anywhere in the UAE without such restrictions. Free zones typically offer faster setup, lower costs, and simpler regulatory requirements than mainland setups.

Which UAE free zone is best for tech startups?+

Dubai Internet City (DIC), Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), in5 Tech (operated by TECOM), and IFZA are among the top choices for technology startups. DMCC also has a strong tech ecosystem. For more affordable options, SHAMS and SPC Free Zone offer tech licensing at lower price points. The best free zone depends on your team size, funding stage, and whether you need a physical office or a flexi-desk setup.

Abu Dhabi Free Zones

Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ)

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)

Abu Dhabi Healthcare City (ADHC)

Hub71 Abu Dhabi

KEZAD Group (Abu Dhabi)

KIZAD (Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi)

Masdar City Free Zone

twofour54

What Are UAE Free Zones?

Browse UAE Free Zones by Emirate

How to Choose the Right UAE Free Zone

Frequently Asked Questions About UAE Free Zones