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Company set-up options in Dubai

You can set up a company on the 'mainland' or in a free zone – here's a comparison of both options.

When setting up a company in Dubai, the first major decision you have to make is where to establish your business: within one of Dubai's many free zones, or on the "mainland". It's important to make an informed choice regarding company jurisdiction, and to understand what "mainland" and "free zone" mean.

Free zones are usually tailored to specific industries or sectors, and typically companies within free zones conduct business outside the UAE. Mainland companies can trade within and outside the UAE, and are subject to standard Dubai laws and regulations.

To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compared the two business set-up options below, highlighting criteria that might affect your decision.

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Company set-up options in Dubai

You can set up a company on the 'mainland' or in a free zone – here's a comparison of both options.

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