The short answer
Dubai has more free zones than any other emirate — consultancy guides commonly say “30+”, some say “40+”, depending on how districts are counted. ZoneWise has a page for 19: 8 districts regulated by the Dubai Development Authority (DDA) and 11 zones with their own authority. See where they are on the Dubai free zones map.
Dubai free zones with their own authority
| Free zone | Area | Focus | Licence cost from | Fee data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMCC | Jumeirah Lakes Towers | Commodities, crypto & multi-sector | Official packages from AED 29,185; licence typically AED 20,000–50,000 a year (DMCC, Apr 2026) | Published fees |
| IFZA | Dubai Digital Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis | SME, startup & holding companies | From AED 12,900 (zero-visa) · about AED 21,450 with one visa | Published fees |
| Meydan Free Zone | Meydan | Digital, e-commerce & SME | From AED 12,500 (zero-visa) · about AED 20,670 with one visa | Published fees |
| JAFZA | Jebel Ali | Logistics, trading & industrial | Trading licence from about AED 5,000/yr (one activity group) · office, warehouse and visas extra | Indicative band |
| DAFZ (Dubai Airport Freezone) | Beside Dubai International Airport | Aviation, logistics & premium trading | Year-one from about AED 55,000 (smart desk + one visa) | Indicative band |
| DIFC | Gate District, DIFC | Financial services & regulated business | From about AED 104,079 (about AED 108,579 with one visa) | Published fees |
| Dubai South | Around Al Maktoum International Airport | Aviation, logistics & e-commerce | Indicative from about AED 10,000–12,500 for entry packages | Indicative band |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) | Dubai Silicon Oasis | Technology & innovation park | Indicative from about AED 11,900 (unconfirmed — quote required) | Indicative band |
| Dubai Healthcare City | Umm Hurair | Healthcare & wellness | Quote required — healthcare licensing and facility fees vary by activity | Quote required |
| Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) | Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road | Events, exhibitions & business services | Quote required | Quote required |
| Dubai CommerCity | Confirm location with the authority | E-commerce | Quote required | Quote required |
Districts regulated by the Dubai Development Authority (DDA)
These districts share a regulator and are commercially operated by TECOM Group. The DDA is not a separate free zone to register in; each district has its own focus and package.
| District | Focus | Licence cost from | Fee data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Internet City | Technology & software | Sector band about AED 25,000–50,000 in year one (quote required) | Indicative band |
| Dubai Media City | Media, advertising & creative | Sector band about AED 25,000–50,000 in year one (quote required) | Indicative band |
| Dubai Studio City | Film, TV & music production | Sector band about AED 25,000–50,000 in year one (quote required) | Indicative band |
| Dubai Design District (d3) | Fashion, design & creative | Sector band about AED 25,000–50,000 in year one (quote required) | Indicative band |
| Dubai Knowledge Park | Human resources, learning & professional services | Quote required | Quote required |
| Dubai Production City | Printing, publishing, packaging & media production | Quote required | Quote required |
| Dubai Science Park | Science, healthcare & life-science businesses | Quote required | Quote required |
| Dubai Outsource City | Outsourcing, BPO & back-office services | Quote required | Quote required |
Dubai free zone costs at a glance
| Zone | Published entry cost |
|---|---|
| Meydan Free Zone | From AED 12,500 (zero-visa) · about AED 20,670 with one visa |
| IFZA | From AED 12,900 (zero-visa) · about AED 21,450 with one visa |
| DMCC | Official packages from AED 29,185; licence typically AED 20,000–50,000 a year (DMCC, Apr 2026) |
| DIFC | From about AED 104,079 (about AED 108,579 with one visa) |
Government-fee figures reviewed July 2026. Other Dubai zones are indicative or quote-required. Full comparison: UAE free zones · cost guide.
Which Dubai zone for which business?
| If you are… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Cost-conscious consulting, e-commerce, holding | Meydan, IFZA |
| Commodities and crypto | DMCC |
| Logistics and industrial | JAFZA, Dubai South, DAFZ |
| Regulated finance | DIFC |
| Media, technology, learning | Media City, Internet City, Knowledge Park |
| Healthcare and life science | DHCC, Science Park |
These are starting points, not recommendations. Confirm your activity with the authority and compare full first-year cost.
Dubai free zone or Dubai mainland?
If most customers are in the UAE, compare Dubai mainland (DET) — a free zone licence does not automatically allow direct onshore trading. The decision framework shows the factors, and Dubai company formation puts both routes together.
Dubai zones not yet covered
Names that commonly appear in public lists and that we plan to add after verification: Dubai Auto Zone, Dubai Car and Automotive City Free Zone, DuBiotech, Dubai Gold and Diamond Park, Dubai Industrial City, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Logistics City, Dubai Techno Park and International Humanitarian City.
Sources and verification
Sources consulted for counts and lists: consultancy guides published 2026 (e.g., BCL, Avyanco), the public encyclopedia list “List of free-trade zones in the United Arab Emirates” (Wikipedia), the Dubai Development Authority’s description of its districts, and each zone’s own materials. Reviewed September 2026. Verify a specific zone on its official site and on the UAE Government portal.
List of free zones in Dubai: FAQs
How many free zones are there in Dubai?
Consultancy guides commonly say 30+ (some say 40+). The count depends on whether districts such as the DDA clusters are counted separately. ZoneWise covers 19.
What is the cheapest free zone in Dubai?
On published government fees, Meydan (about AED 12,500 zero-visa) and IFZA (about AED 12,900) are the lowest Dubai-issued licences we hold. Compare the whole package. See cheapest free zone in the UAE.
Is the Dubai Development Authority a free zone?
No — the DDA is the regulator for a group of Dubai districts (Internet City, Media City, Studio City, Design District, Knowledge Park, Production City, Outsource City and Science Park). You register in a district, not in “the DDA”.
Which Dubai free zone is best for a startup?
It depends on the activity and budget. Value-focused zones such as Meydan and IFZA are popular for consulting and online businesses; sector districts suit specific industries. Use the comparison tool.
Can a Dubai free zone company trade in Dubai mainland?
Not directly, in general. Options include a distributor, a dual-licence arrangement where the zone offers one, or a mainland licence. See free zone vs mainland.
Get a written quote
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email with government fees shown separately from any service fee.
- Free, no obligation
- Honest advice — including when a different zone or mainland fits better
- No guarantee of visa or bank-account approval; both are subject to the relevant authority or bank
Information on this page is general and was compiled from public sources; fees and rules are set by the relevant authorities and change. Figures were last reviewed in July 2026 and exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond any bundled desk, external approvals and bank requirements. This is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority before paying. See our Disclaimer.