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What does a Dubai company really cost? Marketing figures for “Dubai from 5,000 euros” are license-only — actual costs are many times higher. Realistic: 15,000-50,000 euros all-in for the first year (license, office, visas, consultants), 10,000-35,000 euros ongoing. Plus substance costs for Dutch tax authority protection. Below is the full budget per scenario.
The short answer
- First year minimum: 13,000-25,000 euros (free zone freelance solo).
- First year average: 25,000-50,000 euros (free zone LLC with a good setup).
- First year expanded: 50,000-100,000 euros (mainland with substance).
- Ongoing: 60-75% of first-year costs.
- Plus substance: 30-100k extra/year for NL protection.
Cost items in detail
1. License
- Freelance permit (GoFreelance.ae, IFZA Freelancer): 5,000-8,000 euros/year.
- Free zone LLC (IFZA, Meydan): 4,000-12,000 euros/year.
- Premium free zone (DMCC, DIFC, ADGM): 10,000-25,000 euros/year.
- Mainland LLC: 8,000-25,000 euros/year.
- Specific licenses (financial, healthcare, etc.): + 5,000-30,000 euros.
2. Office
- Virtual office/flex desk: 1,500-5,000 euros/year.
- Serviced office (shared): 5,000-15,000 euros/year.
- Private office in shared space: 10,000-25,000 euros/year.
- Your own dedicated office: 15,000-100,000+ euros/year (depending on location and size).
Plus: Ejari registration (~200 euros), DEWA (utilities) at own office.
3. Visa and residency
- Visa per person: 1,500-3,500 euros.
- Medical test: ~500 euros.
- Emirates ID: ~300 euros.
- Insurance: 1,500-5,000 euros/year health (mandatory).
- Family dependent visa: 1,000-2,500 euros per person.
4. Advisors and setup
- UAE business setup consultant: 2,000-7,000 euro setup.
- Dutch tax specialist consultation: 3,000-10,000 euro setup.
- UAE tax specialist: 2,000-7,000 euros setup, 3,000-10,000 euros/year ongoing.
- Legal (deed of incorporation, articles of association): 1,500-5,000 euros.
- Notary and translation: 1,000-3,000 euros.
5. Bank
- Setup and account opening: 500-2,000 euros for the advisor.
- Minimum balance: at premium banks 50,000-250,000 AED (keep 12,000-60,000 euros in account).
- Monthly maintenance: 100-500 euros/month.
6. Other costs
- Letterhead, website customization: 500-2,000 euros.
- Accounting software: 500-2,000 euros/year.
- Marketing for local market entry: variable.
- Home and lifestyle: separate category (see below).
Scenarios per profile
Scenario A: Solo freelancer, minimum
| Element | Costs |
|---|---|
| Freelance permit (GoFreelance/IFZA) | 5.500 |
| Virtual office | 2.000 |
| Visa + medical + ID | 2.300 |
| Insurance | 1.500 |
| Setup advisor | 2.500 |
| Notary/translation | 800 |
| First year total | 14.600 |
| Ongoing/year | ~10.000 |
Scenario B: Free zone LLC, normal
| Element | Costs |
|---|---|
| IFZA LLC license | 8.000 |
| Serviced office | 7.000 |
| 2x visa + medical + ID | 4.500 |
| Insurance for 2 people | 4.000 |
| Dutch tax specialist setup | 6.000 |
| UAE tax specialist setup | 4.000 |
| UAE business consultant | 3.500 |
| Miscellaneous (notary, translation, bank) | 3.000 |
| First year total | 40.000 |
| Ongoing/year | ~25.000 |
Scenario C: Mainland LLC with substance
| Element | Costs |
|---|---|
| Mainland LLC license | 15.000 |
| Real office | 20.000 |
| 3x visa (founder + 2 employees) | 6.500 |
| Insurance | 6.000 |
| 2 UAE employees salary | 50.000 |
| Dutch tax specialist + UAE tax specialist | 15.000 |
| Miscellaneous | 5.000 |
| First year total | 117.500 |
| Ongoing/year | ~95.000 |
Often forgotten costs
- Travel between the Netherlands and Dubai (in the case of partial emigration): 5,000-15,000 euros/year.
- Living in Dubai vs. the Netherlands: apartment rent Dubai Marina 36,000-72,000 euros/year.
- International school for children: 12,000-25,000 euros/child/year.
- Car Dubai: 15,000-50,000 euros (purchase), 200-500/month (lease).
- Lifestyle (going out, leisure): comparable to or more expensive than the Netherlands.
Honest recommendation
Calculate realistically — no “starting from 5,000 euros” marketing. For a solo freelancer, a minimum of 15k for the first year; for a good LLC setup, 35-45k. For mainland with substance: 100k+. Always factor in lifestyle costs. For those seriously considering it: a detailed budget with a UAE advisor (€500-€2,000 for a consultation) prevents surprises.
For other topics: step-by-step plan, cheapest route and freezone licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Solo freelancer minimum: 13-25k euros. Free zone LLC normal: 25-50k euros. Mainland LLC with substance: 50-100k+ euros. Ongoing: 60-75% of first year. Plus Dubai lifestyle costs (housing, school, etc.).
No – that is license-only for the cheapest freelance permit. Actual costs are 3-10x higher due to office, visa, consultants, insurance, and bank setup. Calculate realistically with a UAE consultant, not marketing rates.
IFZA freelance permit (~5,500 euros) or GoFreelance.ae (~5,500 euros). For LLC: IFZA Meydan (~4,000-8,000 euros/year). Premium free zones (DMCC, DIFC) 10-25k. Mainland 8-25k. Rates depend on industry and office size.
Not legally required, but practically so. UAE business consultant for setup (2-7k), Dutch tax specialist for Dutch aspects (3-10k), UAE tax specialist for compliance (2-7k setup + 3-10k/year). The investment pays for itself.
Setup with advisor 500-2k euros. Minimum balance at premium banks 50,000-250,000 AED (12-60k euros). Monthly maintenance 100-500 euros/month. For SMEs: mid-market banks (Mashreq, Emirates NBD, RAK Bank) have lower thresholds.
Yes – on top of the basic package. For Dutch protection: 30-100k euros/year for a real office (above flex desk), UAE employee/director, board meetings, local accountant. Required for higher profits and Dutch exposure.
Often forgotten: apartment rent Dubai Marina 36-72k/year, international school 12-25k/child, car 15-50k purchase + 5-10k/year, private insurance 3-10k/year. Lifestyle comparable to or more expensive than the Netherlands.
