UAE holding company formation โ own shares, assets & IP in a free zone
Setting up a passive vehicle to hold shares, real estate or intellectual property โ for asset protection or group structuring โ rather than a trading business? Here are the real all-in prices for a UAE holding company / SPV across verified free zones, compared honestly. No sales calls.
The best-fit zones for a holding company
According to Formenzo's 2026 UAE Free Zone Price Index, the best-value home for a UAE holding company or SPV is RAKEZ at AED 6,000 licence-only โ a recognised free zone with a clear holding-company framework. Ajman NuVentures Centre (AED 4,888) is the cheapest overall for pure asset protection, while DMCC (AED 35,484 licence-only) is the prestige pick where banking relationships and international credibility matter. A holding company holds shares, assets or IP and does not trade, so a licence-only (zero-visa) setup is usually enough. Qualifying dividends and capital gains are exempt from corporate tax under the UAE participation exemption, with 100% foreign ownership.
| Free zone | Emirate | Licence only | With 1 visa | Why it fits a holding co |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAKEZBest value | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,000 | AED 14,000 | Clear holding/SPV framework, well-recognised |
| Ajman NuVentures CentreCheapest | Ajman | AED 4,888 | AED 10,800 | Lowest-cost asset-protection vehicle |
| DMCCPrestige | Dubai | AED 35,484 | โ | Banking, credibility & international structuring |
| Meydan | Dubai | AED 12,500 | AED 24,450 | A Dubai address for the parent entity |
| IFZA | Dubai (DSO) | AED 12,900 | AED 17,615 | Flexible Dubai option for group holdings |
Prices are live Formenzo figures for 2026, licence-only and with one residence visa where shown, and exclude optional add-ons. A pure holding company usually needs no visa. Verify your exact number โ including activity and any visas โ with the free calculator.
What a UAE holding company actually is
A holding company is a passive ownership vehicle โ it exists to own and manage assets, not to trade. Here is what the licence covers, the tax position, and the honest caveat.
Holding / SPV licence
A holding (or special-purpose vehicle, SPV) licence lets the company own shares in other companies, real estate where permitted, and intellectual property โ under a single ownership structure for group consolidation or estate planning.
0% on qualifying income
Under the UAE participation exemption, qualifying dividends and capital gains from qualifying shareholdings are generally exempt from the 9% corporate tax. There is no personal income tax. Confirm eligibility for your structure with a UAE tax adviser.
Asset protection & structuring
Holding companies ring-fence valuable assets away from operating risk, simplify ownership across a group, and provide a clean vehicle for succession and bringing in investors โ with 100% foreign ownership.
Honest caveat: it can't trade
A pure holding company cannot carry out operating activity โ it can't sell goods, deliver services or invoice clients. If you also need to trade, set up a separate operating company or choose a commercial licence instead.
How Formenzo helps you set up a holding company
Real all-in prices
One honest number per zone โ licence and government fees included, visa block only if you actually need it. No "from AED X" teasers that triple on the call.
Right structure, not upsells
We help you confirm whether a pure holding licence fits, or whether you need an operating company alongside it โ without pushing the most expensive option.
Licensed in the UAE
Formenzo is a UAE-licensed business-setup platform. Form your holding company or SPV online, end to end, with everything confirmed in writing.
Compare every zone and check the numbers yourself: the full UAE Free Zone Cost Index 2026, the cheapest free zone in the UAE, our free cost calculator, and the zone most founders pick for holding structures โ RAKEZ free zone cost.
See your exact holding-company setup price in 60 seconds
Choose licence-only or with a visa and get the real all-in number for all 9 zones we verify. Free, instant, no sign-up.
Open the free calculator โFrequently asked questions
What is the cheapest UAE free zone for a holding company?
Ajman NuVentures Centre is the cheapest at AED 4,888 licence-only (AED 10,800 with one residence visa). For a passive holding company / SPV that only owns shares, assets or IP, a licence-only setup with no visa is usually all you need, so Ajman is the lowest-cost route. RAKEZ (AED 6,000 licence-only) is a popular middle ground with a strong holding-company framework.
Does a UAE free-zone holding company pay tax on dividends and capital gains?
Under the UAE participation exemption, qualifying dividends and capital gains from qualifying shareholdings are generally exempt from the 9% corporate tax, and there is no personal income tax. Exemptions depend on meeting the participation-exemption conditions (such as a minimum ownership stake and holding period), so confirm eligibility with a UAE tax adviser for your specific structure.
Can a holding company trade or invoice clients?
No. A pure holding company / SPV licence only permits owning and managing shares, assets and intellectual property โ it cannot carry out operating or trading activity, sell goods, or invoice clients for services. If you need to trade as well, you would set up a separate operating company or choose a commercial licence instead of a holding licence.
Why choose DMCC for a holding company despite the higher cost?
DMCC (AED 35,484 licence-only) is the prestige choice. Its globally recognised name, mature regulatory reputation and strong banking relationships make it easier to open corporate accounts and to present the structure to international investors, lenders and counterparties. For low-cost asset protection where prestige is not required, RAKEZ or Ajman are far cheaper.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a UAE holding company?
Yes. Free-zone companies, including holding companies and SPVs, allow 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required. The holding company can own shares in other UAE and overseas companies, real estate (where permitted) and intellectual property under a single ownership vehicle.
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 holding-company setup, locked 14 days in writing. No calls, ever.
Every UAE free zone's real all-in cost in one place โ the verified source data behind this page.
The Formenzo UAE Free Zone Price Index 2026 →