Where to set up — compared
Abu Dhabi's common-law financial free zone regulated by the FSRA — SPVs, tech-startup and full financial-services licences with English-law courts.
- Cheapest licence
- USD 1,500/yr (+USD 300 data protection)highadgm.com
- Timeline
- ~4–6 months totalmediumsalvusfunds.com
- Min capital
- USD 250,000 (USD 50,000 for EF/QIF fund managers)medium10leaves.ae
Dubai's common-law financial free zone regulated by the DFSA — financial, professional and innovation/tech firms.
- Cheapest licence
- USD 1,000/yr (+USD 100 app)highdifc.com
- Timeline
- 6–10 weeksmediumkayrouzandassociates.com
- Min capital
- USD 70,000–140,000medium10leaves.ae
Dubai's largest free zone and global hub for commodities, crypto and trade — 20,000+ member companies.
- Cheapest licence
- AED 20,265/yrhighdmcc.ae
- Timeline
- 5–7 working daysmediumcompanyformationdmcc.com
- Min capital
- No fixed paid-up minimum (declared in MOA)mediumdmcc.ae
Steps — ADGM
Laws that apply
Commercial Companies Law
Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021
DIFC Companies Law
DIFC Law No. 5 of 2018
DIFC Operating Law
DIFC Law No. 7 of 2018
ADGM Beneficial Ownership & Control Regulations 2022
BOCR 2022
ADGM Companies Regulations 2020
Companies Regulations 2020
Corporate Tax
Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022
Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (DMTT)
Cabinet Decision No. 142 of 2024
Excise Tax
Federal Decree-Law No. 7 of 2017
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Generate your incorporation pack
Board resolution, UBO declaration, AML/KYC and checklist.
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Activities by jurisdiction
What these zones typically licence. Each free zone publishes its own activity list — confirm yours covers your exact activity.
- Popular activities: Commodities, general trading, consultancy, software, crypto & blockchaindmcc.ae
- At renewal: A third-party NOC is required for regulated activities at renewal; companies with industrial or selected regulated activities cannot take multi-year (2/3/5-yr) renewal.dmcc.ae
- Needs separate approval: Most activities are approved by DMCC directly, but regulated sectors need extra external approval — financial services & investment, crypto/virtual-asset activities, healthcare, and oil/gas & energy.dmcc.ae
Activities & permissions
What a licence lets you actually do — and how to add more. Confirm your specific activities with the licensing authority.
- No — only listed activities are permitted
- Yes — a business can have more than one activity
- Amend the licence (base fee AED 500)
- Yes — certain activities need special approval first
- Six: industrial, commercial, professional, tourism, agricultural, occupational
Figures from official sources, pending expert verification — not legal advice.
Tax & accounting
The ongoing obligations for most UAE companies — confirm what applies to your activity with the FTA.
- 9%
- AED 375,000
- AED 375,000
- 5%
- 7 years
- Revenue over AED 50,000,000
Figures from official sources, pending expert verification — not tax advice.
Banking readiness
What UAE banks weigh when opening a business account. There are no guaranteed approvals, and timelines and requirements differ by bank.
Business activity & risk
Banks assess your licensed activity. Higher-scrutiny activities (crypto, virtual assets, money services, some trading) face longer review and may need a specialised bank.
Substance & presence
A real office/desk, a UAE residence visa for a signatory, and demonstrable local operations strengthen an application.
UBO & source of funds
Banks require clear ultimate-beneficial-owner information and credible source-of-funds and source-of-wealth documentation.
Jurisdiction fit
Some banks favour mainland or specific free zones. The right licence/jurisdiction choice affects which banks will engage.
Minimum balance
Required minimum balances vary widely by bank and account type — confirm the current figure directly with the bank.
General information, not financial advice or a prediction of any bank’s decision. StartedUp does not apply to banks on your behalf or move money — we can only introduce you to a licensed banking introducer if you ask.
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