How to Transfer Shares in a UAE Free Zone Company — Step-by-Step Guide 2026
Transferring shares in a UAE free zone company requires following the free zone authority process. Here is the 2026 step-by-step guide.
In this guide:
When You Need to Transfer Shares
- Selling your company: Selling equity to a new owner
- Adding a business partner: Issuing new shares to a co-founder or investor
- Estate planning: Transferring shares to a family member
- Corporate restructuring: Moving shares between group entities
Share Transfer Process
- Step 1: Agree terms — sign a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) between buyer and seller
- Step 2: Obtain free zone approval — submit SPA and other documents to free zone authority
- Step 3: Free zone due diligence — authority reviews new shareholder (passport, KYC documents)
- Step 4: Pay transfer fee — AED 1,000-5,000 depending on free zone
- Step 5: Updated MOA issued — Memorandum of Association updated to reflect new ownership
- Step 6: New share certificates issued — old cancelled; new issued to new shareholder
- Step 7: Update company records — update with banks and other authorities as needed
Share Transfer Timeline
- Simple transfer: 1-2 weeks at most free zones
- Complex transfer (corporate buyer): 2-4 weeks; more documents required
Share Transfer Costs
- Free zone fee: AED 1,000-5,000 for processing transfer
- Legal fees: SPA preparation by a UAE lawyer; AED 2,000-10,000 for standard transaction
- Stamp duty: No UAE stamp duty on share transfers