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 They have not been individually verified for this page, may be out of date, and must be confirmed with the free zone before you pay.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.
UAE Free Zone Cost Comparison 2026 — All-In Price for 6 Major Free Zones
Comparing UAE free zone costs requires looking beyond the headline licence fee. Here is the 2026 all-in cost comparison for 6 major free zones.
In this guide:
All-In Year 1 Cost (Solo Entrepreneur with 1 Investor Visa)
| Free Zone | Licence | Visa Fees | Health Ins. | Accounting | Bank Fees | Year 1 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPC | AED 7,000 | AED 4,500 | AED 800 | AED 3,000 | AED 1,200 | AED 16,500 |
| SHAMS | AED 8,500 | AED 4,500 | AED 800 | AED 3,000 | AED 1,200 | AED 18,000 |
| RAKEZ | AED 12,000 | AED 4,500 | AED 800 | AED 3,000 | AED 1,200 | AED 21,500 |
| IFZA | AED 13,900 | AED 4,500 | AED 800 | AED 3,000 | AED 1,200 | AED 23,400 |
| DMCC | AED 18,000 | AED 4,500 | AED 800 | AED 5,000 | AED 1,500 | AED 29,800 |
| DIFC | AED 55,000 | AED 4,500 | AED 800 | AED 8,000 | AED 2,000 | AED 70,300 |
Year 2+ (Renewal Cost — No Visa Processing)
- SPC: AED 7,000 + insurance + accounting = approx AED 11,000/year
- SHAMS: AED 8,500 + insurance + accounting = approx AED 12,500/year
- IFZA: AED 13,900 + insurance + accounting = approx AED 17,900/year
The True Cost Premium for Better Free Zones
- SPC to IFZA upgrade: Costs approx AED 7,000 more per year
- IFZA to DMCC upgrade: Costs approx AED 6,400 more per year
- Value question: Is the banking credibility and community access worth the premium?
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