Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) is the UAE’s dedicated healthcare free zone, home to hospitals, specialist clinics, wellness centres, and medical education. Here is the complete 2025 guide.
What is Dubai Healthcare City?
DHCC was established in 2002 by the Dubai government as the world’s largest dedicated healthcare free zone. Located in the Oud Metha area of Dubai (Al Khail Road, near Al Wasl Hospital). Phase 1 (academic medical centre campus): hospitals, specialist clinics, pharmacies, labs. Phase 2 (wellness and lifestyle campus): wellness centres, fitness, alternative medicine, and medical retail. DHCC is home to 200+ healthcare organisations including: Canadian Specialist Hospital, Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, Oxford Medical Centre, Dubai London Clinic, and major pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
DHCC Regulatory Framework
DHCC is regulated by DHCA (Dubai Healthcare City Authority) under the umbrella of DHA (Dubai Health Authority). DHCA oversees: clinical governance and quality standards for all DHCC healthcare providers, healthcare professional registration, facility licensing, and patient safety. To practice medicine in DHCC: all doctors and healthcare professionals must obtain DHCA registration (separate from DHA or DOH registration). DHCA has its own inspection and quality monitoring programme.
DHCC Costs 2025
DHCC free zone licence: from AED 15,000-30,000/year (medical activities). Clinical facility set-up: depends heavily on fit-out costs (a specialist clinic fit-out in DHCC: AED 200,000-1,000,000+ depending on specialty). Medical equipment: additional cost. Office space (Phase 2 wellness): from AED 30,000-80,000/year. The DHCC route is best for: specialist clinics with a clear patient demand (cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology), wellness centres targeting international medical tourism, and pharmaceutical companies wanting to be embedded in the healthcare ecosystem.
Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Healthcare City | Commercial licence application and registration components | AED 5,050 published one-time application and registration components before licence and facility costs Confidence: Indicative public price |
Quote-based renewal - licence, permits and premises depend on activity Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on licence, permits, premises and renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Visas and professional/facility permits are separate | A lease reservation, lease agreement, purchase agreement or title deed is a prerequisite | Indicative public price | Official DHCC commercial licensing service page; partial fee components | Current package / renewal confirmation required | August 2026 |
| What is included | The current service page lists AED 1,550 initial application and AED 3,500 one-time registration fees. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Commercial licence fee, operating or professional permits, premises, visas, insurance, external approvals, innovation/knowledge fees and advisory support. |
| Hidden-cost risk | AED 5,050 is not a complete setup total. Clinical segment, facility, professional licensing and regulatory requirements can materially increase the invoice. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium to high |
| Best fit | Healthcare, wellness, education and supporting businesses that need the DHCC regulatory ecosystem. |
Source evidence: Review source | Methodology | Corrections.
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Last reviewed August 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.