Whether leasing a physical office for your UAE mainland licence or choosing between flexi-desk and private office options in a free zone, calculating the right amount of office space saves cost and supports your growth. Here is a guide.
UAE Office Space Standards
UAE DED (mainland) minimum office standards: Dubai DED: minimum floor area accepted varies by activity — most commercial activities require a minimum 200 sqft. Professional services: minimum 100 sqft in some cases. Ejari registration: the lease must cover the minimum DED-required size. Free zones: flexi desk (1 dedicated desk): typically counts for 1–2 visa allocations. Shared office (4–8 desks): 3–8 visa allocations. Private office (200–500 sqft): 5–15+ visa allocations depending on free zone. Full floor / larger space: unlimited visa allocation (subject to MOHRE ratios).
Employees Per Square Metre (UAE Office Space Standard)
Dubai Municipality office density guidelines: 8–10 sqm per employee for open-plan office. 15–20 sqm per employee for private offices. 4–6 sqm per employee for hot-desking / co-working. Practical UAE standard: Small team (1–5 people): 200–500 sqft (18–46 sqm) private office. Medium team (6–20 people): 500–2,000 sqft (46–185 sqm) open plan. Growing team (21–50 people): 2,000–5,000 sqft (185–465 sqm).
UAE Office Lease Cost Estimates 2025
By location (annual, per sqft): Dubai DIFC/Business Bay: AED 150–350. Dubai JLT/JBC: AED 80–150. Dubai Deira/Bur Dubai: AED 50–100. Abu Dhabi Al Maryah: AED 120–200. Sharjah Al Nahda: AED 40–70. RAK/Ajman: AED 25–50. Free zone flexi-desk (annual): Shams: included in AED 5,750 licence. DMCC: included in AED 20,000+ licence. IFZA: add-on AED 5,000–8,000/year. DIC: included in AED 13,000+ licence.