By the Pro24 DMCC Advisory Team — DMCC-focused business setup specialists based in Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), Dubai. Last reviewed October 2026 against DMCC’s official Schedule of Charges and Knowledge Bank.
“How much does it cost to set up in DMCC?” is the first question almost every founder asks us. The honest answer is a range, because your final figure depends on your licence type, how many visas you need and whether you take a flexi desk or a physical office. Below is a transparent, verified breakdown of the real costs for DMCC company formation in 2026 — no hidden surprises.
What goes into your DMCC cost
Your first-year DMCC budget is made up of a few distinct line items rather than one flat fee. The main components are the trade licence, one-time registration and name reservation, your office solution (flexi desk or fitted office), and per-person visa costs. Share capital is declared but, for most trading activities, is not paid into a blocked account.
| Cost component | Indicative 2026 range (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FreelanceUAE permit / standard service licence | 4,020 / 20,285 | Official DMCC fees |
| Trading / commercial licence | 20,285 (general trading 50,265) | Most common for import/export |
| Application, registration & AoA | 12,055 (one-time) | Paid once at incorporation |
| Flexi desk | ~15,000 / year | Allows up to 3 visas |
| Serviced / fitted office | ~25,000 – 50,000+ | Higher visa quota |
| Per visa (investor/employee) | ~3,000 – 5,000 | Incl. Emirates ID, medical, immigration |
All-in first year: a lean single-visa DMCC company typically lands around AED 30,000–60,000, while a trading company with a serviced office and multiple visas can run AED 75,000–130,000+. See our full DMCC company formation cost & packages page for current package pricing.
Official DMCC fees and packages (2026)
Try it: our DMCC cost calculator applies these figures to your activity and visa count.
| Official DMCC fee | AED |
|---|---|
| Application fee (one-time) | 1,015 |
| Company registration, standard activities (one-time) | 9,020 |
| Articles of Association (one-time) | 2,020 |
| Standard trading or service licence (annual) | 20,285 |
| General trading licence (annual) | 50,265 |
| Establishment card (annual) | 1,825 |
Read this way: at list price the one-time fees plus a standard licence total AED 32,340 before workspace or visas, which is why most founders buy a DMCC package instead:
| DMCC package | Price (AED) | Key inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| JLT Resident | 29,205 | Licence + flexi-desk options (JLT residents) |
| Crypto / Gaming / AI Centre | 31,000 | Licence, co-working, 50% off 2nd-year renewal |
| Basic Biz | 35,484 | Licence + flexi desk, 1 visa eligibility (individual shareholders) |
| Prime Plus | 40,145 (1 yr) / 62,480 (3 yr) | Fast track, renewal price freeze, bank account support |
| Jump Start | 43,780 flexi / 49,941 co-working | Workspace eligible for 3 visas, one 2-year visa included |
Source: DMCC Schedule of Charges and DMCC setup packages. Verified by the Pro24 DMCC desk, October 2026. Fees change, so confirm the live figure before paying.
The 2026 acceleration discounts
DMCC has continued to run incentive packages for new and renewing members in 2026, including reduced first-year and multi-year licence pricing and renewal discounts for existing members. Because these offers change through the year, always confirm the live promotion directly with DMCC or ask us for the current package before you budget.
What actually moves your price
Three choices drive most of the variation. First, your office: a flexi desk keeps costs low but caps you at three visas, whereas a physical office unlocks more visas at roughly one visa per 100 sq ft of leased space. Second, how many visas you and your team need. Third, your activity — regulated activities such as precious metals, financial services or crypto carry extra approvals and, sometimes, higher capital expectations.
Costs people forget to budget for
Beyond year one, plan for annual licence renewal, medical insurance for each visa holder, and — under UAE Corporate Tax rules — audited financial statements, which are a condition of keeping the 0% qualifying free zone tax position. Factoring these in from the start prevents nasty renewal-season surprises.
Work with DMCC specialists: our JLT team handles DMCC establishment card, DMCC branch office setup and DMCC PRO services for DMCC companies every day. Talk to us about your case or start with DMCC business setup.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to set up in DMCC?
For a company, DMCC’s cheapest official packages start at AED 29,205 (JLT residents) and AED 31,000 (Crypto, Gaming or AI Centre); Basic Biz with a flexi desk is AED 35,484. A solo professional can start with the FreelanceUAE permit from AED 4,020, or AED 9,136 with a visa.
Do I need to deposit share capital in DMCC?
For most trading and service activities the declared share capital does not need to be deposited into a blocked bank account, though it must be stated in your incorporation documents. Regulated activities can differ.
Are DMCC fees paid annually?
Registration is a one-time cost, while the trade licence and your office lease are renewed annually. Visas are renewed on a two-year cycle for most private companies.
Figures above are indicative for 2026 and compiled from DMCC and specialist UAE setup sources; official fees change periodically, so confirm current pricing with DMCC before committing. Ready for an exact quote? Talk to our DMCC team.
Official reference: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (dmcc.ae).
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