🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Quick answer
In the UAE you can set up on the mainland (licensed by the emirate's economic department) or in a free zone (100% foreign ownership, own registry). The choice affects ownership, office requirements and where you can trade. A trade licence defines your permitted activities.
Companies can be set up on the mainland through the relevant emirate's Department of Economic Development, or in one of the many free zones, each with its own registrar. Since 2021, most mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership.
- Mainland companies register with the emirate's Department of Economic Development (DED).
- Free zones (e.g. DMCC, JAFZA, ADGM, DIFC) offer their own registration and incentives.
- Most mainland commercial activities now permit 100% foreign ownership.
Official authorities
- Ministry of Economy
Federal economy and business regulation.
- The UAE Government Portal (u.ae) — Business
Official guide to setting up a business.
Frequently asked questions
Mainland or free zone?
Free zones offer full foreign ownership and simple setup but historically limit direct mainland trade; mainland licences (now often 100% foreign-owned in many activities) allow trading across the UAE.
Do I need a local partner?
For most activities, recent reforms allow 100% foreign ownership on the mainland; some strategic activities still require Emirati participation.
What is a trade licence?
It is the licence defining your business activities (commercial, professional or industrial), issued by the relevant mainland authority or free zone.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.