About these figures: Costs and timelines on this page are indicative planning figures compiled from public free zone fee information. They have not been individually verified for this page, may be out of date, and must be confirmed with the free zone before you pay. How we source prices · How we compile data.
Choosing a UAE free zone based on price alone is a common mistake — the cheapest licence may cost more in banking difficulties or re-establishment fees. But cost is still a major factor. Here is the most complete 2025 UAE free zone cost comparison.
Budget Tier Free Zones (AED 5,000–10,000/year)
| Free Zone | Annual Licence (from) | Visa Included | Banking Track Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shams (Sharjah) | AED 5,750 | 1 visa | Good |
| UAQ FTZ | AED 4,500 | Optional | Moderate |
| AFZ (Ajman) | AED 5,000 | Optional | Moderate |
| Creative City Fujairah | AED 6,500 | 1 visa | Good |
| IFZA | AED 7,500 | 0 (visa add-on) | Strong |
| RAKEZ | AED 5,750 | Optional | Good |
Mid-Tier Free Zones (AED 10,000–25,000/year)
| Free Zone | Annual Licence (from) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DSO (Dubai) | AED 12,000 | Tech focus |
| DIC (Dubai Internet City) | AED 13,000 | Tech/IT only |
| DMC (Dubai Media City) | AED 15,000 | Media only |
| SAIF Zone | AED 8,000 | Sharjah airport |
| KIZAD/KEZAD | AED 12,000 | Abu Dhabi industrial |
| JAFZA | AED 15,000+ | Jebel Ali port |
Premium Tier Free Zones (AED 25,000+/year)
| Free Zone | Annual Licence (from) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DMCC | AED 20,000 | World’s #1 free zone |
| DIFC | AED 50,000+ | Financial services |
| ADGM | AED 30,000+ | Abu Dhabi financial |
Remember: total annual cost includes licence fee + visa(s) + office/flexi-desk + government fees. A “cheap” free zone with difficult banking can cost you months of delays and lost clients.
Disclosure: UAE Free Zone Compare is an independent research platform. We may receive partner commissions if you request a quote through our forms — this is disclosed on every page where it applies. Our research and recommendations are independent.