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 51 Zones by Emirate

Showing 5 Ras Al Khaimah 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

AED 6,600 official Idea annual package with zero visas and shared desk

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

Visa Options

Idea includes zero visas; Seed, Startup and Growth packages list different visa terms

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Tech & IT Services Software Development E-commerce Digital Media

Setup Cost

From AED 10,000

Price confidence: Verified official 2026 operating-permit components; complete company and facility cost requires confirmation. Source type: Official RAK Ports Tariff 2026; activity-specific operating permits only. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

Up to 5

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Shipbuilding Ship Repair Marine Engineering Offshore Platforms

Setup Cost

AED 13,500 official current RAKEZ package with business licence, 1 residence visa and Compass coworking lease

Price confidence: Verified official price for the current RAKEZ successor route. Source type: Official RAKEZ promotion; legacy RAK Media profile mapped to the current authority route. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

1 residence visa in the published current RAKEZ package

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Setup Cost

From AED 6,000

Price confidence: Verified official price. Source type: Official authority offer page. Last reviewed: June 2026.

Visa Options

Up to 6

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Manufacturing & Industrial Production General Trading Import & Export Logistics & Warehousing

Setup Cost

From AED 7,500

Price confidence: Verified official price for the current RAKEZ successor route. Source type: Official RAKEZ package page plus official Ministry integration record. Last reviewed: July 2026.

Visa Options

0 visas on the current RAKEZ Basic package; industrial and visa-inclusive routes are separate

Min. Capital

None

Setup Time

Package and activity dependent

Industrial Manufacturing General Trading Import & Export Professional Services

What Are UAE Free Zones?

UAE Freezone Compare tracks 52 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 52 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.

Ras Al Khaimah Free Zones

RAK Innovation City

RAK Maritime City Free Zone

RAK Media Free Zone (Compass)

RAKEZ Free Zone

RAKIA Free Zone

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