Free Zone Directory - Every UAE Free Zone, compared.
UAE has 45+ specialized Free Zones hosting over 150,000 companies (source: UAE Government Portal). We've ranked the 9 most popular ones with real 2026 pricing, visa quotas, banking partners, and setup timelines. Every Free Zone offers 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, and full profit repatriation.
The UAE Free Zone market in 2026
Corporate Tax: 0% (qualifying income)
Free Zone companies with qualifying income maintain 0% Corporate Tax vs 9% for Mainland. Non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. Source: FTA.
Visa quota: 3 to unlimited
Each Free Zone caps visa count. IFZA allows up to 6. DAFZA allows unlimited. Exceeding quota requires license upgrade (adds AED 5,000–15,000).
Physical office: Flexi-desk OK
Most Free Zones accept flexi-desk (virtual office) as the legal address. This is why Free Zone setup is 5-7 days vs Mainland's 10-14 (which requires physical Ejari).
Top picks - Most popular Free Zones for 2026.
These three Free Zones cover 80% of all UAE company formations we handle. IFZA for value, DMCC for prestige, RAKEZ for budget. Whichever you pick, we file directly as channel partner.
International Free Zone Authority
Best balance of price, speed, and Dubai address
- ✓ Dubai address (Silicon Oasis)
- ✓ 0-visa starter option (AED 12,900)
- ✓ Multi-activity license — combine up to 7 activities
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Premium prestige • Crypto/VARA • Best banking access
- ✓ World's #1 Free Zone (FT Global Free Zones)
- ✓ Crypto-friendly with VARA proprietary license
- ✓ Best bank account success rate (~98%)
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone
Lowest cost in UAE — ideal for solo founders and budget setups
- ✓ Lowest total cost in UAE
- ✓ Largest activity catalogue (2,500+ activities)
- ✓ Industrial + commercial + service licenses
Browse by emirate - Each emirate, every Free Zone.
Jump to your preferred emirate to see all Free Zone options there with full pricing.
Dubai
The UAE's commercial capital — premium banking, global brands
IFZA
International Free Zone Authority
Best balance of price, speed, and Dubai address
Meydan FZ
Meydan Free Zone
Premium Dubai address with strong banking & ecommerce support
DMCC
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Premium prestige • Crypto/VARA • Best banking access
DAFZA
Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority
Logistics, aviation, and high-value trading near DXB airport
Abu Dhabi
UAE capital — fintech, funds, English common law (ADGM)
Ras Al Khaimah
Lowest-cost UAE Free Zone — industrial, trading, solo founders
Ajman
Budget trading & ecommerce — between Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain
Fujairah
Cheapest creative & media license — east coast (Indian Ocean)
Not sure which Free Zone is right?
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