I'm planning to set up a company in Dubai Mainland in 2026. I've seen advertisements saying the licence costs only around AED 10,000, but I've also received quotations close to AED 50,000. Why is there such a big difference, and what should I realistically budget for the first year?
The total first-year cost of setting up a Dubai Mainland company in 2026 is generally around AED 35,000 to AED 80,000+. Although the basic DET trade licence may start at approximately AED 10,000–AED 18,000, the actual setup cost can be considerably higher once you include office space, visas, establishment cards, approvals, and other government charges.
You can check Dubai Mainland Company Formation Cost breakdown below
|
Cost Component |
Estimated Cost |
|
Trade Licence & Government Fees |
AED 10,000 – AED 20,000 |
|
Trade Name & Initial Approvals |
AED 600 – AED 2,200 |
|
Office Space & Ejari |
AED 5,000 – AED 15,000+ for shared/flexi space |
|
Physical Office |
AED 15,000 – AED 50,000+ |
|
Establishment Card |
AED 1,000 – AED 2,000 |
|
Investor/Employee Visa |
AED 4,000 – AED 7,000 per person |
|
PRO/Consultancy Services |
AED 3,000 – AED 8,000, if required |
The biggest variable is usually the office requirement. A business using a shared or flexi-desk arrangement may keep its first-year costs closer to the lower end, while companies requiring a dedicated physical office and multiple visas can easily exceed AED 80,000.
It is also important to remember that the AED 10,000–AED 20,000 licence figure is not the complete company formation cost. When budgeting, consider your licence activity, office requirements, number of visas, external approvals, and any professional assistance you may use.
In short: for a straightforward Dubai Mainland setup, I would recommend budgeting at least AED 35,000–AED 40,000 for the first year, while keeping additional funds available if you need a physical office or several employee visas.
