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Company setup

Free zone and licence fees, compared.

Official published fees only, taken from each authority’s own website. Every figure shows where it comes from and when we checked it. Fees change, so confirm with the authority before you apply.

DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre)

Dubai · Financial free zone

Innovation Licence (technology and innovation firms)

  • Innovation Licence: USD 1,500 per yearSubsidised rate for the first 2 years; from year 3 the rate depends on headcount (USD 12,000 per year above 10 FTEs).
  • Registration fee: USD 100 one time
  • Data protection fee: USD 0 one time
  • Coworking desk (optional): USD 250 per month, billed annually

DIFC Innovation Licence offer · checked 16 Oct 2026

ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)

Abu Dhabi · Financial free zone

Tech Startup Licence

  • Tech Startup licence, new registration: USD 1,500
  • Tech Startup licence, annual renewal: USD 1,500
  • Data protection fee: USD 300 at registration and each renewal

ADGM fee update, effective 1 Jan 2025 · ADGM setting-up FAQs · checked 16 Oct 2026

Meydan Free Zone

Dubai · Free zone

Digital trade licence (up to 3 activity groups, flexi-desk)

  • Standard digital trade licence: From AED 12,500Includes a flexi-desk, per Meydan FZ.
  • Fawri instant licence (under 60 minutes): From AED 15,000
  • Investor visa: From AED 4,000Plus a one-time immigration establishment card from AED 2,000.
  • Employee visa: From AED 3,500

Meydan Free Zone homepage and FAQ · checked 16 Oct 2026

DIFC notes

  • Offer is for new registrants only.
  • Eligible sectors listed by DIFC include AI/ML, FinTech, HealthTech, EdTech, PropTech and others.

ADGM notes

  • Startups must meet ADGM’s eligibility criteria.
  • Office space, establishment card and visa costs are extra (ADGM FAQ).

Meydan Free Zone notes

  • “From” prices: the final cost depends on activities and options.
  • Meydan FZ states multi-year licences save up to 15%.

How we build this table

We list only fees an authority publishes on its own website. We leave out any fee we cannot source, and we never show consultant or agency prices. Visa, office, bank and other costs vary and are only shown where the authority publishes them. More jurisdictions will be added once their official fees are checked. Read our setup and banking guide next.

Information and readiness tools only. Startup Roof gives no investment advice, does not arrange deals and does not handle money.