Directory and visa data See all 40 zones in the free zone comparison matrix, or check visa quotas by zone.
UAE free zone cost comparison (2026)
| Free zone | Emirate | Best for | Licence cost from | Fee data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman NuVentures Free Zone | Ajman | Start-ups, consultants & digital freelancers | Zero-visa licence advertised from about AED 4,888 (confirm live figure) | Indicative band |
| JAFZA | Dubai | Logistics, trading & industrial | Trading licence from about AED 5,000/yr (one activity group) · office, warehouse and visas extra | Indicative band |
| SRTIP (Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park) | Sharjah | Research, technology & innovation | From about AED 5,500 (zero-visa; published by market guides) | Indicative band |
| Creative City Fujairah | Fujairah | Media, creative & IT consulting | Zero-visa licence indicative from about AED 5,530 (unconfirmed — quote required) | Indicative band |
| Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | Multi-sector, trading & industrial | From AED 5,565 (zero-visa) · AED 13,141 with one visa | Published fees |
| Sharjah Media City (Shams) | Sharjah | Media, consulting & digital services | From about AED 5,750–6,900 (zero-visa) · about AED 14,300 with one visa | Published fees |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | Multi-sector, industrial & SME | From about AED 6,010 (zero-visa) · about AED 12,010 with one visa | Published fees |
| Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) | Sharjah | Publishing, media & multi-sector | From about AED 6,875 (zero-visa) · about AED 14,325 with one visa | Published fees |
| Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZA) | Sharjah | Industrial, maritime & trading | Packages advertised from about AED 8,800 | Indicative band |
| Dubai South | Dubai | Aviation, logistics & e-commerce | Indicative from about AED 10,000–12,500 for entry packages | Indicative band |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) | Dubai | Technology & innovation park | Indicative from about AED 11,900 (unconfirmed — quote required) | Indicative band |
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | Digital, e-commerce & SME | From AED 12,500 (zero-visa) · about AED 20,670 with one visa | Published fees |
| IFZA | Dubai | SME, startup & holding companies | From AED 12,900 (zero-visa) · about AED 21,450 with one visa | Published fees |
| twofour54 | Abu Dhabi | Media, entertainment & gaming | Entry packages indicative AED 15,000–25,000 (quote required) | Indicative band |
| Masdar City Free Zone | Abu Dhabi | Clean-tech & sustainability | Indicative AED 15,000–55,000 depending on office (quote required) | Indicative band |
| Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ) | Abu Dhabi | Aviation, logistics & general business | Entry packages indicative AED 15,000–25,000 (quote required) | Indicative band |
| Dubai Internet City | Dubai | Technology & software | Sector band about AED 25,000–50,000 in year one (quote required) | Indicative band |
| Dubai Media City | Dubai | Media, advertising & creative | Sector band about AED 25,000–50,000 in year one (quote required) | Indicative band |
| Dubai Studio City | Dubai | Film, TV & music production | Sector band about AED 25,000–50,000 in year one (quote required) | Indicative band |
| Dubai Design District (d3) | Dubai | Fashion, design & creative | Sector band about AED 25,000–50,000 in year one (quote required) | Indicative band |
| ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) | Abu Dhabi | Financial centre & regulated business | Indicative AED 25,000–55,000+ for non-financial licences; regulated activities cost more | Indicative band |
| DMCC | Dubai | Commodities, crypto & multi-sector | Official packages from AED 29,185; licence typically AED 20,000–50,000 a year (DMCC, Apr 2026) | Published fees |
| DAFZ (Dubai Airport Freezone) | Dubai | Aviation, logistics & premium trading | Year-one from about AED 55,000 (smart desk + one visa) | Indicative band |
| KEZAD | Abu Dhabi | Industrial, manufacturing & logistics | Indicative AED 55,000+ for industrial or warehouse setups (quote required) | Indicative band |
| DIFC | Dubai | Financial services & regulated business | From about AED 104,079 (about AED 108,579 with one visa) | Published fees |
| Dubai Knowledge Park | Dubai | Human resources, learning & professional services | Quote required | Quote required |
| Dubai Production City | Dubai | Printing, publishing, packaging & media production | Quote required | Quote required |
| Dubai Science Park | Dubai | Science, healthcare & life-science businesses | Quote required | Quote required |
| Dubai Outsource City | Dubai | Outsourcing, BPO & back-office services | Quote required | Quote required |
| Dubai Healthcare City | Dubai | Healthcare & wellness | Quote required — healthcare licensing and facility fees vary by activity | Quote required |
| Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) | Dubai | Events, exhibitions & business services | Quote required | Quote required |
| Dubai CommerCity | Dubai | E-commerce | Quote required | Quote required |
| SAIF Zone (Sharjah Airport) | Sharjah | Airport, trading & logistics | Quote required | Quote required |
| Sharjah Healthcare City | Sharjah | Healthcare & wellness | Quote required — healthcare licensing varies by activity | Quote required |
| RAK ICC (Offshore) | Ras Al Khaimah | Offshore & holding companies | Quote required — offshore company packages vary by structure | Quote required |
| RAK Maritime City | Ras Al Khaimah | Marine, shipping & offshore services | Quote required | Quote required |
| RAK Digital Assets Oasis | Ras Al Khaimah | Web3, digital assets & tech | Quote required | Quote required |
| Ajman Media City | Ajman | Media, digital & services | Quote required | Quote required |
| Fujairah Free Zone | Fujairah | Trading, marine & industrial | Quote required | Quote required |
| UAQ Free Trade Zone | Umm Al Quwain | Trading, industrial & general business | Quote required | Quote required |
“Published” = government-fee figures reviewed July 2026. “Indicative band” = market planning range, not a quote. “Quote required” = no reliable public price. Want a side-by-side of your shortlist? Use the comparison tool.
Free zones in Dubai
Free zones in Abu Dhabi
Free zones in Sharjah
Free zones in Ajman
Free zones in Ras Al Khaimah
Free zones in Fujairah
Free zones in Umm Al Quwain
Further reading
Additional free zones to add next
ZoneWise focuses on the zones above. Other UAE zones we recommend adding as their fee and activity data is verified: Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Maritime City, Dubai Gold and Diamond Park, International Humanitarian City, Ajman-based and Fujairah-based specialist zones, and additional KEZAD and RAKEZ sub-zones. Want one covered sooner? Tell us.
UAE free zones: FAQs
How many free zones are there in the UAE?
There are roughly 40 to 45 active free zones across the seven emirates depending on how sub-zones and districts are counted. ZoneWise currently has a dedicated page for 40 of them and recommends adding more over time.
What is the cheapest free zone in the UAE?
Published government fees put the entry point at roughly AED 5,000–7,000 in the northern emirates — Ajman Free Zone (about AED 5,565), RAKEZ (about AED 6,010) and Sharjah zones such as Shams and SPC — with Ajman NuVentures advertised lower. The lowest published Dubai-issued licences are Meydan (about AED 12,500) and IFZA (about AED 12,900). Figures reviewed July 2026; the cheapest licence is not always the cheapest total once visas, office and banking are considered.
Which free zone is best?
There is no single best free zone. DMCC is associated with commodities and crypto, JAFZA and KEZAD with logistics and industry, DIFC and ADGM with regulated finance, TECOM districts with media and technology, and Ajman, RAKEZ, Sharjah and Meydan/IFZA with cost-conscious set-ups. Match the zone to your activity, customers, visas and budget.
What is the difference between a free zone and mainland company?
Free zone companies offer up to 100% foreign ownership, faster set-up and often lower cost, but cannot freely trade onshore. Mainland companies can trade across the UAE and bid for government work but need a physical office lease. See the free zone vs mainland framework.
Do free zone companies pay tax?
Yes, they are within the UAE corporate-tax regime: 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it, unless the entity is a Qualifying Free Zone Person that meets strict conditions. All free zone entities must register with the Federal Tax Authority. See the tax guide.
Can I set up a free zone company from abroad?
Incorporation is largely digital for most zones. Residence visas require medical testing and biometrics in the UAE, and some banks want a meeting.
What is the Dubai Development Authority?
The DDA regulates a group of Dubai districts including Dubai Internet City, Media City, Studio City, Design District, Knowledge Park, Production City, Outsource City and Science Park. It is the regulator, not a separate free zone; TECOM Group operates the districts commercially.
Get a written quote for the right UAE free zone
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.
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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.