UAE company setup for German founders — real all-in cost, no sales calls
German entrepreneurs and digital founders use a UAE free zone for 100% ownership, 0% UAE personal income tax and a credible base with English-language, common-law courts. Formenzo gives you the honest all-in price for every free zone — and we’re clear about how German tax residency works.
Why German founders choose the UAE
For a German founder, the UAE is an efficient place to hold a 100%-owned international company with strong banking and a global hub.
Full ownership
Own your UAE free-zone company outright — no local partner. Profits and capital are yours.
No UAE income tax
The UAE charges 0% personal income tax; corporate tax is 9% only above AED 375,000, with free-zone relief.
English & common law
Free zones like DIFC and ADGM run on English common law with English-language courts.
Residence visa
Your company sponsors your residence visa and your family’s — a credible base.
What it costs — one honest, all-in number
No “from AED X” teasers. Every Formenzo price already includes the free-zone authority fee, our service fee and the full visa block. We confirm it in writing before any filing and lock it for 14 days.
Live prices, updated from our database. See your exact figure by visa count in the calculator.
How a German founder registers a UAE company
Compare and pick your free zone
Use the calculator to see the all-in cost for your activity and visas — trading, e-commerce, consulting or holding.
Start online from Germany
Send your passport copy and proposed company names. We file the licence — no cold calls, ever. Track everything in a secure portal.
Licence issued in days
Your free-zone licence is typically issued in 3–8 working days. We then process your establishment card and residence visa.
Visa, Emirates ID & bank account
A short UAE visit completes your medical and Emirates ID. We prepare your file and introduce you to suitable banks.
UAE company formation for German founders — what to know
German entrepreneurs looking at UAE company setup are usually weighing a free zone against the mainland. For most — in consulting, digital and holding structures — a free zone fits best: 100% ownership, a clean all-in cost, and a straightforward residence visa.
The decisions are which free zone, how many visas, and your activity — which our cost calculator makes transparent. After the licence, the practical next steps are your UAE corporate bank account and residence visa; if you’re moving funds from Germany, read our guide on source-of-funds evidence.
Important for German residents: if you remain tax-resident in Germany you are generally taxed on worldwide income, and Germany applies CFC rules (Hinzurechnungsbesteuerung) and an exit tax (Wegzugsteuer) that can affect a move or a foreign company. A UAE company does not automatically remove German tax. Formenzo is not a tax or legal adviser — please confirm with a Steuerberater before you proceed.
Questions German founders ask
Can a German citizen own 100% of a UAE company?
Yes. In a UAE free zone a German founder owns 100% — no local partner or sponsor. Ownership, profits and capital are fully yours.
How much does UAE company setup cost for a German founder?
Real all-in prices start from AED 4,888 (about €1,230) for a licence-only setup, rising by visa count — one all-in figure per free zone, with no hidden charges.
Do German founders still pay German tax?
If you stay tax-resident in Germany, generally yes — on worldwide income, with CFC rules and a possible exit tax on relocation. A UAE company doesn’t change that by itself. Confirm with a Steuerberater.
Do I have to travel from Germany to register?
The licence is issued remotely. A short visit is usually only needed for the medical and Emirates ID if you take a residence visa.
See your exact UAE setup cost from Germany
Pick your free zone and visas, get the honest all-in price, and start online — no call required.
Open the cost calculator →German tax on a UAE free-zone company
Can a German citizen own a UAE free zone company? Yes — 100% ownership, no local partner, in every UAE free zone.
German tax residency is the deciding factor. If you stay tax-resident in Germany you are taxed on worldwide income, and German CFC rules (Hinzurechnungsbesteuerung) can attribute low-taxed UAE company income to you. Relocating can trigger the German exit tax (Wegzugsteuer) on certain shareholdings under §6 AStG.
The UAE side is 0% personal income tax and 100% ownership, but a UAE company does not by itself end German tax. Confirm CFC and Wegzugsteuer with a Steuerberater. We’re the only UAE comparison pairing this with a verified all-in price from AED 4,888 and no sales call.
Set up clean — get the all-in cost in writing
Send your name and WhatsApp or email — we reply with the exact all-in figure for your setup, locked 14 days in writing. No calls, ever.