How Much It Costs to Set Up a Company in the UAE: 2026
How much it costs to open a company in the UAE in 2026: licence from AED 5,900, visas, office and fees. A detailed budget, examples and annual costs.
Материалы автора
How to Set Up a Company in the UAE in 2026: Step by Step
A step-by-step guide to opening a company in the UAE in 2026: free zone or mainland, licence, visa, bank and taxes. Timelines, cost and documents.
Jaywan Card UAE: The National Payment System for Business
Jaywan is the UAE's national payment card: domestic payments are routed inside the country, not via international networks. What it means for merchants.
UAE Tax Residency Certificate (TRC): Rules, Days and Fees
A UAE residence visa does not by itself make you a tax resident. The three tests under Cabinet Decision 85/2022, how days are counted, and how to obtain a TRC.
Arabic for Business in the UAE: Why It Helps and Where to Start
Arabic for business in the UAE: why it is an advantage rather than an entry requirement, MSA vs the dialect, 8 business phrases and free ALC learning tools.
Document Attestation & Legal Translation in the UAE: 2026 Guide
How to give foreign documents legal force in the UAE: consular legalisation step by step, MOFAIC online attestation via UAE Pass, and certified Arabic translation.
Compare Meydan Free Zone vs IFZA vs DMCC: 2026 Setup, Cost & Visas
Meydan Free Zone, IFZA or DMCC? A practical 2026 comparison of setup cost, visa limits, banking and audit — with a clear pick for solo founders, traders and scaling teams.
Setting Up a Logistics Centre in the UAE: Free Zones, Ports and Costs 2026
Where to open logistics in the UAE in 2026: JAFZA for sea trade by Jebel Ali Port, Dubai South for air and e-commerce by Al Maktoum Airport, KIZAD for manufacturing in Abu Dhabi. Zone comparison, warehouse costs, registration steps and corporate tax.
E-Invoicing UAE: 2026–2027 Rollout, Deadlines & Compliance
E-invoicing in the UAE turns mandatory in phases: a voluntary pilot from 1 July 2026, large businesses live by 1 January 2027, smaller businesses by 1 July 2027. The exact FTA/MoF deadlines per phase, how the 5-corner model and the ASP work, and how to prepare.
Change Company Structure in UAE: Shareholders, Directors, Licence
How to change a company structure in the UAE: shareholders and directors, MOA amendments, updating the trade licence in Dubai and other emirates.
UAE Corporate Tax 9% Above AED 375,000: Who Pays & How to Cut It
The UAE taxes business profit at 0% up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it. Here is who pays, a worked example, and the two legal routes — Small Business Relief and Qualifying Free Zone status — to a 0% effective rate.
UAE Corporate Tax 9%: Who Actually Pays It — and Who Still Gets 0%
Who pays the 9% UAE corporate tax, how to hold 0% via Small Business Relief or a free-zone QFZP, and the 2026 deadlines you cannot miss.
Free zone or mainland UAE: how to choose your business jurisdiction in 2026
Free zone vs mainland UAE in 2026: 100% foreign ownership, 9% corporate tax vs QFZP 0%, Small Business Relief, cost and timelines. With legal sources.
The 10,000 AED UAE Corporate Tax Penalty: How to Erase It via Your First Return
The UAE FTA cancels the 10,000 AED corporate tax penalty if you file the first return within 7 months. Deadline: 31 July 2026 for most companies. *(147)*
DMCC, IFZA, Meydan, DIFC, ADGM: How to Choose a UAE Free Zone in 2026 — Without the Marketing Gloss
Compare DMCC, IFZA, Meydan, DIFC and ADGM in 2026: real first-year cost, visa quotas, banking, 9% corporate tax and QFZP. UAE free zone guide without gloss.
UAE VAT for Entrepreneurs: When to Register, When It Pays Off, and What Missing the Deadline Costs
UAE VAT at 5%: AED 375,000 threshold, voluntary from 187,500, AED 10,000 late-registration fine, EmaraTax filing and the 2026 penalty regime. *(141)*
100% Foreign Ownership in the UAE: Where the Reform Delivers — and Where It Doesn't
Since March 2021 UAE mainland allows 100% foreign ownership. See the 7 strategic exceptions under Cabinet Decision 55/2021 and the mainland vs free zone call.
UAE Corporate Bank Account in 2026: How to Open It, How Long It Takes, and Where It Breaks
Opening a UAE corporate bank account in 2026: digital vs classic banks, KYC layers, minimum balances, why banks reject — and how the 9% corporate tax UAE ties in.
UAE
UAE MoF MD 133/2026: who files the Pillar Two Info Return
UAE MoF Decision 133/2026 pins down which MNE entities must file the Pillar Two Information Return with the FTA — fiscal years from 1 Jan 2025.
UAE
UAE Pillar Two filing rules: MoF Decision 133 of 2026 for MNCs
UAE Ministry of Finance issues Decision 133 of 2026 — who and how MNCs file the Pillar Two Information Return with the FTA from FY2025.
UAE
ADIB approves Dh1.75 billion rights issue under Vision 2035
ADIB board approves a Dh1.75B rights issue: 106.4M new shares at Dh16.45 (28.8% discount). What it means for investors and clients.
UAE
AECB adds micro-loans like CashNow to UAE credit reports
From 25 August AECB includes CashNow micro-loans in UAE credit reports. What it means for mortgages, car loans and business finance approval.
UAE
UAE Insurance Assets Hit Dh164.9bn, Profits Jump 54% in 2025
UAE insurance assets reached Dh164.9bn in 2025 (+6.1%), gross premiums up 14.9%, profits jumped 54% to Dh4bn, 17.3M active policies. CBUAE report.
UAE
CBD becomes first UAE bank to launch cross-bank payments in app
First UAE bank cleared as CBUAE Third-Party Provider — CBD app now lets customers pay from other banks’ accounts inside one interface.
Dubai
DIEZ H1 2026: 96% occupancy, +13% firms, +24% workforce
DAFZ, DSO, Dubai CommerCity in H1 2026: 96% occupancy, +13% firms, +24% workforce. Dtec sees +95% AI companies. DMO official data.
Dubai
Dubai Law 4/2026: shared housing permits and Dh1m fines
Dubai Law 4/2026 regulates shared housing: municipality permits, fines Dh500–500,000 (up to Dh1m on repeat) and eviction of unauthorised units.
CBUAE
CBUAE FSR 2025: UAE bank assets AED 5.3T, NPL down to 3.3%
CBUAE closes 2025: UAE bank assets AED 5.3T (+17.1%), NPL 3.3%, net profit AED 90.8bn. Progress on Aani, Jaywan and the new Al Tareq Open Finance.
MoHRE
MoHRE lists 6 employer breaches on worker health insurance
MoHRE lists six typical employer breaches of the UAE's mandatory worker health insurance regime. Penalties, permit sanctions and how to comply.
VAT
FTA Decision 13: UAE VAT supplier checks mandatory from October
From 1 October 2026 UAE VAT registrants must document supplier and supply checks or input VAT will be denied. Thresholds Dh10k/100k/375k and sanctions.
Nafis
Nafis 2040: salary caps, child & family support from September
ETCC updates Nafis: Dh6K/5K/4K/3K support caps, Dh20K salary ceiling, no cap on children (Dh600 each), new family support. Starts 1 September 2026.
UAE
CBUAE: UAE banks defer AED 13.5bn, NPL at record 2.8%
135,031 borrowers received AED 13.5bn in loan deferrals under CBUAE's March 2026 support package. UAE banking NPL ratio hit a record 2.8% in Q2.
UAE
UAE Small Business Relief extended to end of 2029
UAE MoF (Decision 131 of 29 July 2026) extends Small Business Relief under Corporate Tax to 31 December 2029. AED 3M revenue threshold kept.
UAE
TaxStar raises $1.75M seed as UAE e-invoicing mandate nears 2027
TaxStar closes $1.75M seed as a UAE MoF pre-approved ASP. From 1 January 2027 large businesses (AED 50M+ revenue) must issue structured e-invoices.
UAE
CBD becomes first UAE bank with Open Finance in mobile app
Commercial Bank of Dubai is the first UAE bank to let customers view balances and send payments from other banks' accounts inside its own mobile app.
UAE
DIFC tops 10,000 active companies for the first time in H1 2026
DIFC crosses 10,000 active companies for the first time — 10,018 at end-H1 2026 (+30% YoY), AI/FinTech +39%, family offices +36%, foundations +67%.
UAE
UAE to widen Jaywan card acceptance at hotels and attractions
UAE Tourism Council widens Jaywan card acceptance at hotels and attractions as part of the Dh450bn 2031 tourism target. What businesses should do.
UAE
Dubai's DIEZ free zones hit 96% occupancy in H1 2026
DIEZ's Dubai free zones — DAFZ, Silicon Oasis, CommerCity — posted 96% occupancy and +13% companies in H1 2026. What that means for your business.
UAE
Emirates NBD launches UAE's first Transition Finance Framework
Emirates NBD on 17 Aug 2026 unveiled its Transition Finance Framework — the UAE's first dedicated framework for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors.
UAE
CBUAE: UAE bank assets hit Dh5.3 trillion in 2025 (+17.1%)
CBUAE 2025 Financial Stability Report: UAE bank assets +17.1% to Dh5.3tn, profits +11.7% to Dh90.8bn, NPL 3.3%, Capital Adequacy Ratio 17%.
UAE
Dubai FAA Nazaha: workplace protection for whistleblowers
Dubai FAA confirms: an employee reporting a financial or administrative violation via the Nazaha platform is entitled to workplace protection.
UAE
FTA: SBR still requires a simplified return by 30 September 2026
FTA reminds: SBR does not waive filing. A simplified CT return for FY 2025 is due by 30 September 2026, and the relief must be elected in the return.
UAE
UAE music licensing fees start 1 Dec 2026: who pays what
From 1 December 2026 UAE businesses playing music publicly need an annual licence. Fees AED 1,500–50,000. Who pays and who is exempt.
UAE
Coinbase opens ADGM tokenisation hub with Apple CB Certificates
Coinbase received an FSRA permission in ADGM on 11 August 2026 and opened its tokenisation hub; first product: Apple CB Certificates.
UAE
Jaywan × UnionPay MoU: UAE Cards Now Accepted in 183 Countries
Al Etihad Payments and UnionPay signed a Shanghai MoU: Jaywan cards will work at 100M+ POS terminals and 1.8M ATMs across 183 countries. China first.
UAE
FTA 2025: UAE collects AED 46bn VAT & excise, audits +46%
FTA 2025 annual report: VAT & excise revenue up 15% to AED 46bn, 245K corporate tax registrations, audits surged 46% amid enforcement push.
UAE
UAE FTA: 8.45m Excise Items Seized in H1 2026, Dh174m Levied
H1 2026 FTA drive: 8.45m excise items seized, Dh174m in tax dues and fines, 103,680 inspections (+21% YoY), 3,343 VAT non-registration notices.
UAE
FTA Directive No. 2 of 2026: VAT After Tax Group Exit
From 1 August 2026: a former VAT Tax Group member that stays VAT-registered reports adjustments in its own return, not the group’s. What changes.
UAE
UAE FTA Directive No. 3: How to Convert Crypto to AED for VAT
The UAE FTA now requires businesses to convert digital currency to AED via 3 of 5 approved exchanges, priced at each transaction’s date and time.
UAE
Emirates NBD teams up with DFDF to accelerate UAE fintech, AI
Dubai's biggest bank teams up with the AED 1bn DFDF fund of funds for pilots in AI banking, embedded finance, SME and WealthTech. What changes.
UAE
Digital Dubai Launches Economic Survey 2026: GDP Hits $265bn
DDSE invites 16,000+ Dubai companies, incl. free zones, to Economic Survey 2026 by 31 Dec. Emirate’s GDP has already reached AED 972bn.
UAE
ADGM amends commercial law: nominees, trust UBO, cash caps
ADGM RA: nominee status now on the public register, trust UBO powers, cash caps for lawyers, auditors and real-estate agents. What changed on 9 July 2026.
UAE
Dubai Founders HQ and Mastercard launch Founder Finance for SMEs
Dubai Founders HQ, Mastercard and Pemo unveil a corporate cards and spend-automation pack for UAE startups — over AED 10,000 value in year one.
UAE
TAQA delists from ADX: ADPower squeeze-out on 13 August
ADPower completes buyout of the remaining 1.88% of TAQA at AED 2.70 per share on 13 August. Full ADX delisting, minority payout on 18 August.
UAE
UAE FTA Decision 12/2026: Top-up Tax registration deadlines
UAE FTA sets Top-up Tax registration deadlines: MNE Groups whose FY ended before 30 Apr 2026 must register by 30 Nov 2026. Based on Cabinet 142/2024.
UAE
UAE MoF Extends Small Business Relief for Corporate Tax to 2029
UAE MoF Ministerial Decision 131 extends Small Business Relief on corporate tax until 31 December 2029. AED 3M revenue cap unchanged — impact for SMEs.
UAE
Nafis: Employers to Fully Fund Emirati Pensions from September
From September 2026, UAE private employers must fully fund the employer share of pension contributions for Emirati staff. HR and payroll impact.
UAE
Edenred UAE gets CBUAE in-principle approval for SVF
CBUAE grants Edenred UAE in-principle SVF licence approval — the payroll operator serves 2.5M employees and 20,000+ businesses. What HR needs to know.
UAE
UAE MoF sets Dh1/mL minimum excise on e-cig liquids
UAE Ministry of Finance sets Dh1/mL minimum excise on e-cig liquids from 1 September 2026 — what vape importers, distributors and retail must reset.
VAT
FTA expands tourist VAT refunds: 19,340 stores and Noon added
UAE FTA integrates Noon into the digital tourist VAT refund system — a world first for e-commerce. Network reaches 19,340 stores and 100 kiosks.
Mastercard
Mastercard × AFS Launch AFS Pro: Unified B2B Payments in UAE
Mastercard and AFS launched AFS Pro in the UAE: corporate cards, SoftPOS on smartphones and Pay-by-Link, all in one B2B platform. What businesses get.
Dubai Founders HQ
Dubai FoundersHQ + Mastercard: Founder Finance for UAE SMEs
Dubai Founders HQ, Mastercard and Pemo launch Founder Finance: AED 10,000+ first-year value, up to 2% cashback on FX and ads — how it works.
UAE MoF
UAE MoF adds Aani and Jaywan for federal fee payments
UAE Ministry of Finance becomes the first federal entity to collect service fees and fines via Aani and Jaywan — under Cabinet Resolution 176M/4M/2026.
Fintech
KamelPay wins CBUAE SVF and RPS licences for payroll
On 31 July 2026 KamelPay won CBUAE SVF and RPS licences for payroll wallets and retail payments serving 400,000+ UAE workers.
UAE
UAE Widens National Economic Register to 33 Licensing Bodies
UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism widens NER 'Growth' to 33 licensing authorities and free zones — one search point for 4,000+ business activities.
Finance
UAE Federal Fees Now Payable via Aani and Jaywan
The UAE Ministry of Finance now accepts government fees and fines via Aani and Jaywan — the first federal body to do so. What it means for business.
Tax
UAE Corporate Tax: File Your Return by 30 September 2026
UAE companies with a financial year ending 31 December 2025 must file their corporate tax return by 30 September 2026. Rates, relief and penalties.
Economy
DIFC H1 2026: 10,018 Companies and 30% Growth
DIFC reported H1 2026 results: 10,018 active companies, 2,318 new arrivals, 30% organic annual growth and 1,134 regulated financial firms.
Finance
ECB Adds Tabby and Tamara BNPL to UAE Credit Reports
From July 2026, Tabby and Tamara BNPL data flows into your official UAE credit report — including historical transactions.
ADGM
FSRA ADGM Annual Report 2025: FSPs Up 22%
FSRA ADGM released its 2025 Annual Report on 13 July 2026: 95 Financial Services Permissions (+22%), 120 IPAs (+32%), 5 new MoUs signed.
ADGM
ADGM tightens commercial framework: July 2026 reforms
ADGM RA rolled out two July 2026 reforms: nominee disclosure and BO changes on 9 July, unified sales-and-promotion permits on 23 July.
Banking
ADIB Becomes World's First Bank to Deploy Visa VTIP
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank is the first globally to run Visa's Threat Intelligence Platform, catching cyber incidents before they turn into payment fraud.
Banking
Emirates NBD H1 2026: Record Profit and RBL Bank India Deal
Dubai's largest bank posts record AED 16.2bn H1 profit and completes a $2.75bn RBL India deal. What it means for UAE business.
Regulation
UAE Competition Law: New Executive Regulations Start 30 July 2026
Cabinet Decision 59/2026 activates mandatory merger control in the UAE: AED 300M turnover or 40% market share thresholds. What to do before 30 July.
Finance
Jaywan and Mastercard Launch World's First Co-Badged Credit Card
Al Etihad Payments and Mastercard unveil the first Jaywan co-badged credit card, new switching infrastructure and a UAE operations hub.
Jaywan
Jaywan: UAE launches its first national card scheme
The UAE’s first national card scheme launched on 20 July 2026. FAB rolled out a Jaywan debit card, CBD a prepaid card, and Network International switched on online acceptance across thousands of merchants — with no extra fee.
Taxes
NRI ITR Filing in UAE 2026: 31 July Deadline & Forms Guide
Nine days to file. Who is on ITR-2, where the 182 vs 120-day rule bites, what the Section 234F fine looks like and how to unlock DTAA rates via UAE TRC and Form 10F.
Tax
FTA refunds AED 353.5m in VAT to UAE nationals building homes
The FTA refunded AED 353.5m to around 4,000 UAE nationals building new private homes in H1 2026, a 24.1% year-on-year rise as the scheme's scope widens.
Business
UAE Emiratisation 2026: 190,000+ Emiratis in the private sector, 95% of firms hit quotas
Over 190,000 Emiratis are now employed across the UAE private sector — MoHRE released the H1 2026 figure on 20 July 2026. Roughly 32,000 companies now employ at least one Emirati national, and 95% of firms subject to Emiratisation quotas met their H1 targets. For mainland businesses the message is direct: quotas are landing, enforcement is live, and the H2 2026 target is already ticking.
Banking
Mashreq launches NEO On Arrival — digital UAE account for visitors in minutes
Mashreq announced NEO On Arrival — a fully digital UAE bank account for international visitors, activated within minutes of arrival via passport-based eKYC and Emirates Facial Recognition. Built with CBUAE, ICP and EFR. Here's how it works, who's behind it, and what it means for business travellers, expats and UAE merchants.
Regulations
UAE Competition Law: Cabinet Decision 59/2026 in Force 30 July
On 30 July 2026, Cabinet Decision No. 59 of 2026 activates the executive regulations of the UAE Competition Law: mandatory suspensory merger control, a qualitative dominance test, fixed 10+90+45-day timelines and real post-closing enforcement. An 8-point readiness checklist for UAE companies with live M&A activity.
Taxes
UAE e-invoicing: ASP deadline extended to 30 October 2026, penalty AED 5,000/month
UAE launched its e-invoicing pilot on 1 July 2026 and extended the ASP-appointment deadline for large businesses to 30 October 2026. Penalty for missing it: AED 5,000 per month, no grace period.
Investments
UAE Retail T-Sukuk: 4.30% p.a. from AED 1,000 for Expats
The UAE's first Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk pays 4.30% per annum in semi-annual coupons, opens the sovereign fixed-income market to individuals from AED 1,000, and is now traded on Nasdaq Dubai. For expats in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the debut sets a new benchmark for parking AED liquidity beyond term deposits.
Customs
Dubai Customs Unlocks AED 79M for 428 Firms in Q2 2026
AED 79M in liquidity for 428 firms and AED 33.9B in Green Corridor trade. Notices 14 and 15 stay open until year-end — file before the deadlines shut.
M&A
e& closes Vodafone exit: Dh4.8bn and 30 July dividend
e& closed its 16.21% Vodafone sale for $5.95bn. Net cash return: Dh4.8bn. A Dh400m Vodafone final dividend hits the treasury on 30 July 2026.
Banks
New UAE Central Bank Law: Compliance Deadline 16 Sep 2026
Since 16 September 2025 the UAE financial sector operates under a rewritten rulebook. The one-year transition window closes on 16 September 2026 — with a wider perimeter and sharper penalties.
Fintech
Sav Signs Exclusive 5-Year Visa Card Deal Across UAE & KSA
Sav names Visa its exclusive card network in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in a five-year multi-million dollar deal — what it means for the region's fintech landscape.
Banking
UP by CBD: SME mobile bank ties to Dubai Unified Licence
CBD launched UP by CBD — a mobile-only SME bank with direct Dubai Unified Licence integration and an instant business credit card.
Taxes
UAE FTA Waives AED 10,000 Corporate Tax Penalty — File by 31 July 2026
The FTA is writing off the AED 10,000 late-registration penalty for Corporate Tax — but only if the first return lands in EmaraTax within seven months of the Tax Period end. For most UAE businesses, that means 31 July 2026.
ECB
ECB adds GPSSA pensions and Nafis income to UAE credit report — what it means for banks
From 14 July 2026, GPSSA pension payments and Nafis financial support appear inside the UAE Individual Credit Report — giving banks a source-verified view of income that no longer depends on customer paperwork.
Business
Deutsche Bank & Dubai DET launch family-office gateway
Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism and Deutsche Bank have signed a partnership. The bank identifies UHNW clients, family offices, corporates and industrial groups considering international relocation; DET meets them in Dubai with end-to-end facilitation, up to residency pathways under the applicable investor category. A working breakdown of what was signed and how to access it.
Taxes
UAE FTA opens Pillar Two DMTT registration on EmaraTax
The UAE Federal Tax Authority has opened Pillar Two Top-up Tax registration on EmaraTax. In-scope MNE groups can register now — with the first DMTT return due by 30 June 2027.
Transport
Dubai Taxi Company Closes $395m Acquisition of National Taxi
Dubai Taxi Company has closed the largest UAE mobility M&A of 2026, buying National Taxi for AED 1.45 billion in cash. The combined group now runs more than 9,500 taxis across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with roughly 78 million trips a year. For a market long dominated by fragmented operators, the deal signals a shift toward scale, digital dispatch and multi-emirate consolidation.
Corporate Tax
UAE Corporate Tax: FTA Clarifies Free Zones & Family Offices
The UAE Federal Tax Authority consolidated dozens of Private Clarifications into one summary on 09 July 2026. Free Zones, family foundations, REITs, shipping, IP and HQ services — no new law, but a practical map of how the FTA reads the rules. An ordinary LLC cannot qualify as a Family Foundation; QFZP substance and TP adjustments get sharper definitions.
UAE
UAE Extends Phase 1 E-Invoicing ASP Deadline to 30 October 2026
The UAE Ministry of Finance has pushed Phase 1 ASP appointment from 31 July to 30 October 2026 by Ministerial Decision No. 66. The mandatory go-live on 1 January 2027 is unchanged. Here is what AED 50M+ businesses should do with the extra three months — and how the DCTCE / Peppol PINT AE model actually works in practice.
Tax
FTA: AED 10,000 late corporate-tax registration penalty waived if you file within 7 months
The FTA waives the AED 10,000 late corporate-tax registration penalty if the first return is filed within 7 months of the end of the first tax period. For a period ending 31 Dec 2025, the deadline is 31 July 2026.