Minimum Investment to Start a Business in Dubai (2025)

There’s no fixed “minimum capital” to start a company in Dubai. The law does not require a set paid-up capital for most LLCs, and most activities can be 100% foreign-owned. Your real minimum budget is the sum of: license + government fees + (optional) office + visa(s).

For many small service businesses, a realistic entry budget is ~AED 20k–25k in a Dubai free zone (license + 1 visa + ID/medical + establishment card). Mainland costs vary by activity and approvals, but you can begin with core DET fees and add only what your activity requires.

2025 must-knows (so you don’t overbudget)

No fixed paid-up capital for most LLCs. The MoE confirms there’s no legal minimum; capital is stated in your MOA and must be “adequate” for the activity. Some activities and a few zones still impose their own minima. Ministry of Education

100% foreign ownership is allowed for most mainland activities under the current Commercial Companies Law framework. Check your activity list with DET.

Some zones keep share-capital rules. Example: DMCC needs AED 50k share capital (and AED 1m for General Trading). Don’t assume “zero capital” everywhere.

What does “minimum investment” actually include?

1. Company licence & government fees (DET or your chosen free zone)
2. Establishment/immigration card (for visas)
3. Residence visa(s) + medical + Emirates ID (if needed)
4. Workspace (office/flexi-desk/virtual, depending on rules)
5. Any activity-specific approvals (if applicable)

DET example: The official Invest in Dubai portal shows baseline licensing service fees (e.g., AED 1,070 licence + knowledge/innovation fees + AED 300 Chamber membership for some cases). Your final total depends on activity, name reservation, initial approval, and any extra permits.

Realistic starter budgets (Dubai-focused scenarios)

A) Solo consultant in a Dubai free zone (1 visa)

• License (1-year): commonly AED 12,900–14,900 in Dubai’s IFZA packages (public price list).
• Establishment card: ~AED 2,000. Dubai Free Zone Company
• 1 investor visa (2-year): ~AED 3,750 + medical & EID ~AED 1,200–1,600.
  Indicative total: ~AED 20k–23k for Year 1 (ex-office).

Notes: Pricing can change; confirm your exact activity and whether a flexi-desk is bundled.

B) Small trading in a Dubai free zone (1–2 visas)

• Start from the same license tier (some zones need higher share capital for General Trading, e.g., DMCC). If you pick an activity that doesn’t require AED 1m capital, your numbers look like Scenario A plus any additional visas.

C) Mainland LLC (service activity)

• DET licensing uses modular fees (trade name, initial approval, licence, etc.). Begin with the official DET/Invest in Dubai flow, then add only the approvals your activity needs. Workspace is mandatory on mainland (flexible options exist). Expect a wider range than free zones because costs depend on activity and office choice. Invest in Dubai

Free zone vs. Mainland: which is cheaper to start?

• Free zones tend to be cheaper upfront and faster, with bundled packages and flexi-desks. Official UAE guidance confirms costs vary by zone/activity/space.
• Mainland gives direct UAE market access with 100% ownership for most activities, but totals depend on activity approvals and office selection.

How to calculate your minimum in 3 steps

1. Pick your jurisdiction & activity (Free Zone vs Mainland; trading vs service). Check if the activity has special capital or extra approvals.
2. Price the licence on official portals (DET/Invest in Dubai flow; for zones, use their calculators/price lists).
3. Add visa math you actually need this year (establishment card + investor/employee visas + medical/EID). Use current schedules from your zone/authority.

FAQs

Is there a legal minimum capital for an LLC in Dubai?
No set minimum in law for most LLCs; capital must be “adequate.” Some activities/zones impose their own minima.

Can I own 100% of a mainland company?
Yes, for most activities under the current law. Verify your activity with DET.

What’s a realistic minimal budget for a simple service startup?
If you want a visa: ~AED 20k–23k in a Dubai free zone based on widely published IFZA packages and standard visa/ID costs. Mainland varies by activity/office.