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A complete guide to choosing a jurisdiction

Mainland or Freezone: What is best for your businessin the UAE in 2025?

An exhaustive comparison of the two main ways to register a company in Dubai. We will help you make an informed decision based on your goals.

Objective comparison

An honest analysis of the pros and cons of each jurisdiction

Expert approach

Recommendations based on yourbusiness model and goals

Help with the selection

Personal consultation fordecision-making

The key decision determining the future of your business

Choosing between the Mainland (DED) and the Free Economic Zone (Freezone) is not just a matter of cost. It's a matter of strategy: where you can do business, how you will be taxed, and how much control you have over your company.

Below we will analyze all the aspects so that you can choose consciously.

Detailed comparison based on key criteria for your business

Criteria

Mainland (DED)

Freezone

Throughout the UAE and abroad. Direct deliveries and contracts with local companies.

Mostly outside the UAE and inside the zone itself. Working with the UAE market requires an intermediary (distributor).

The territory of doing business

Standard import rates.

0% import and export duties.

Customsduties

It is subject to federal tax (0% for income up to 375 thousand AED, 9% over).

0% corporate income tax(50 years warranty).

Corporatetax

Department of Economic Development (DED) Company

A company registered in the FEZ

Legal status

Available for professional, scientific, and technicallicenses. Commercial activities usually require a local sponsor (51%).

Yes, 100% ownership for all types of licenses.

100% foreign
ownership

It's more complicated, there are more instances.

Faster and easier, "one-stop-shop".

Registration process

Available to the owner/co-owners and employees.

Available to the owner and employees.

Residence permit

Direct access.

It is limited or requires special registration.

Access to governmenttenders

Retail, construction, medical services, and the local B2B segment.

International trade, IT, logistics, consulting, media.

Access to governmenttenders

Necessarily. Real, virtual (flexi), or through service centers.

Necessarily. An office, warehouse, or workplace within the zone.

Office Requirements

Above (including sponsorship fees, if applicable).

Below. All-inclusive packages.

Registration fee

Determine the optimal jurisdictionbased on your business model

Are you planning to open a retail store, clinic or restaurant

Is your business related to construction or real estate

Your target market is the UAE

Do you want to participate in public tenders

Do you want 100% ownership of a company without a local partner

Are you engaged in the import/export of goods

Your business is focused on internationalmarkets

Is your business IT, online services, consultingor logistics

Choose Freezone

Choose Mainland

Our goal is that you do not encounter the concept of "late payment", "fine" or "blocking" at all. We buildfinancial accounting so that all processes are transparent, predictable and comply with the strictest audit. Yourbusiness is safe.

01

Audit of the current situation

We analyze yourcurrent documents and processes for free.

02

Development of regulations

We create an individualreporting schedule and work plan for you.

03

Integration and maintenance

We set up accounting systems and undertakeregular work.

04

Reporting and support

We submit all forms, represent yourinterests in the authorities, and prepare you for the audit.

Leave a request and receive a free analysis of your current financial statements and a personal plan to optimize accounting and auditing processes. We will show you what risks already exist and how to eliminate them.

Your reliable partner for starting and doing business in the UAE. A full cycle of services with guaranteed results.

Smart CONSULT

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