By the Pro24 free zone desk, authorised business setup specialists in Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), Dubai. Prices checked against each free zone’s own website in October 2026.
“What’s the cheapest free zone in the UAE?” is the first question most founders ask. The honest answer has two parts: the cheapest licence, and the cheapest company you can actually run, with visas, a bank account and room to grow. This guide compares both, and marks clearly which prices the free zones publish themselves and which are only quoted by setup partners.
Key takeaways
- The lowest published licence price in our comparison is UAQ FTZ’s Lyte package at AED 5,500.
- SHAMS is widely quoted from about AED 5,750, but prices come from a cost calculator, not a fixed list.
- In Dubai itself, Meydan (AED 12,500) and Expo City Dubai (AED 12,520) publish entry prices.
- One residence visa typically adds AED 7,000–15,000 in year one once the establishment card, medical, Emirates ID and insurance are included.
UAE free zone entry prices compared (2026)
| Free zone | Emirate | Entry price (AED) | Source | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAQ FTZ | Umm Al Quwain | 5,500 (Lyte) | Official | Lowest-cost licence, simple trading and services |
| SHAMS | Sharjah | from ~5,750 | Partner-quoted | Media, e-commerce, consultants; up to 5 activities |
| Expo City Dubai | Dubai | 12,520 (Business Hub 1) | Official | A Dubai address at the Expo 2020 site; 4 visas from AED 17,570 |
| Meydan | Dubai | 12,500 | Official | Digital-first Dubai licence with flexi-desk |
| IFZA | Dubai | from ~12,900 | Partner-quoted | SMEs and consultancies |
| Dubai South | Dubai | from ~12,500 | Partner-quoted | Logistics and aviation near Al Maktoum Airport |
| SAIF Zone | Sharjah | ~10,800–13,500 | Partner-quoted | Trading with airport and sea links; warehouses |
| DMCC | Dubai | 35,484–43,780 (packages) | Official | Commodities, trading brands, banking credibility |
Official = published on the free zone’s own website in October 2026. Partner-quoted = widely quoted by setup partners, usually because the zone prices through a calculator. Always get the live figure in writing.
Expo City Dubai, DMCC or Dubai mainland: where we get you the best deal
An authorised Expo City Dubai Free Zone channel partner, DMCC specialists based in JLT, and Dubai mainland setup experts. If one of these fits your business, we can usually set you up faster and for less.
Authorised partnerExpo City Dubai Free Zone
- Business Hub 2: 4 visas, AED 17,570
- Standard 6 Visa Package: AED 22,080
- Partner pricing on every package
DMCC setup & PRO services
- Visas, renewals, NOCs and establishment cards
- Every DMCC fee quoted transparently
- DMCC PRO desk minutes from DMCC
Dubai mainland company
- DET trade licence to sell across the UAE
- LLC, professional and commercial licences
- Government contracts and local customers
Why the cheapest licence isn’t always the cheapest company
Three costs decide your real first-year bill:
- Visas. Each residence visa needs an establishment card (once per company), the visa fee, a medical test, Emirates ID and health insurance. At Meydan, for example, the published fees are an AED 2,000 establishment card, an investor visa from AED 4,000 and medical and Emirates ID from AED 2,250.
- Workspace. Some entry packages include a flexi desk; others charge for it separately or cap the number of visas it supports.
- Renewal. Year two drops the one-off registration fees but keeps the licence, desk and visa renewals.
Worked example: a founder with one investor visa at Meydan pays the AED 12,500 licence + AED 2,000 establishment card + AED 4,000 investor visa + from AED 2,250 medical and Emirates ID = from about AED 20,750 in year one, before health insurance.
Which low-cost free zone suits you?
- Freelancer or solo consultant, no visa needed: UAQ FTZ or SHAMS keep costs lowest.
- Want a Dubai address on a budget: Meydan or Expo City Dubai, both with published prices.
- Hiring a small team: Expo City Dubai’s Business Hub 2 (AED 17,570) includes 4 visa allocations and a company card.
- Trading physical goods internationally: SAIF Zone, Dubai South or DMCC, depending on logistics and banking needs.
- Need to sell directly to UAE customers: consider mainland setup instead.
Still deciding? Our free zone decision framework walks through activity, visas, banking and reputation, and the free zone company setup page compares all the zones we work with.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest free zone in the UAE in 2026?
The lowest published licence price in our comparison is UAQ Free Trade Zone’s Lyte package at AED 5,500. SHAMS in Sharjah is widely quoted from about AED 5,750. Visas and other costs come on top.
What is the cheapest free zone in Dubai?
Among Dubai free zones that publish prices, Meydan’s licence is AED 12,500 and Expo City Dubai’s Business Hub 1 package is AED 12,520. IFZA and Dubai South are quoted from around AED 12,500–12,900.
How much does a free zone company with one visa cost?
It ranges widely. All-inclusive one-visa packages in the northern emirates, such as UAQ FTZ, are quoted from roughly AED 12,500–13,900, while a Dubai free zone such as Meydan comes to about AED 20,750 or more once the licence, establishment card, visa, medical and Emirates ID are added. Health insurance is usually extra.
Can a cheap free zone company open a bank account?
Yes, but banks judge your activity, shareholders and transactions. A clear business plan and a resident signatory help more than the choice of zone. We prepare and place the application for you.
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