Dubai Media City
Regional media hub — advertising, broadcasting, marketing, new media.
Dubai · Regulator: TECOM Group (DDA) · Civil law
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Where to set up — compared
Regional media hub — advertising, broadcasting, marketing, new media.
- Cheapest licence
- AED 15,010/yearmediumrelocate-uae.com
- Timeline
- not published
- Min capital
- AED 50,000mediumrelocate-uae.com
Creative district for fashion, design, art and luxury brands.
- Cheapest licence
- AED 15,000/yearmediumrelocate-uae.com
- Timeline
- not published
- Min capital
- AED 50,000–100,000 by segmentmediumrelocate-uae.com
Abu Dhabi's media & entertainment free zone — film, broadcast, gaming, digital media.
- Cheapest licence
- AED 15,000/yearmediumsijil.ae
- Timeline
- 3–5 working days (after clearance)mediumsijil.ae
- Min capital
- None requiredmediumsijil.ae
Sharjah media-focused free zone with low entry cost from AED 5,760, up to 5 activities and instant licensing.
- Cheapest licence
- From AED 5,760 (up to 5 activities)highshamsfz.ae
- Timeline
- Instant (60 min); registration 1–3 dayshighshamsfz.ae
- Min capital
- not published
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
Full foreign ownership (CCL amendment)
Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020
Strategic Impact Activities (ownership restrictions)
Cabinet Resolution No. 55 of 2021
Corporate Tax
Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022
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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: Advertising, media & marketing, new media, eventsrelocate-uae.com
- Scope: Licenses media & entertainment — film production, broadcasting, gaming, music, printing, advertising, PR, media buying and events.dmc.ae
- Popular activities: Fashion & beauty, design, media, marketing, e-commercerelocate-uae.com
- Scope: A design, art and fashion district; licence segments support creative activities (fashion design, styling, interior design, marketing, event management).dubaidesigndistrict.com
- Popular activities: Media, film, broadcasting, gaming, digital media, publishingsijil.ae
- Scope: Abu Dhabi’s only media free zone (regulated by the Creative Media Authority) — media, gaming/esports, broadcast, publishing, production and content.twofour54.com
- Popular activities: Media, e-commerce, consultancy, tradingshamsfz.ae
- Activities per licence: Up to five business activities can be combined on one licence, even across different sectors.shamsfz.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.
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