Business Set-Up in DMCC

Business-focused legal support for business set-up in DMCC in the UAE, helping companies reduce risk and move forward with confidence.

Company Incorporation & Formation in DMCC

We guide businesses in choosing and establishing the right structure; covering liability, tax, and regulatory requirements to build a strong legal foundation.

In-depth description

Incorporation and Formation service offers expert guidance on choosing and establishing the right business structure. We provide insights into each structure’s liability, tax implications, and regulatory requirements, helping businesses make informed decisions for a strong legal foundation.

Scope of work

  • Prepare all required application forms for the chosen jurisdiction (mainland or free zone).
  • Draft the company’s constitutional documents (e.g., Memorandum of Association).
  • Manage the submission of the entire application file to the relevant authority.
  • Liaise with the authority until the trade license and corporate documents are issued.

Price range

AED 25,000 – AED 100,000
Cumulative assessment – billed Lump Sum.

Primary Determinants of Pricing
Existing structure, number of shareholders and stakeholders.
Private or public company.
Class of shares.

Deliverables

  • The company’s official Trade License.
  • The registered Memorandum of Association.
  • The Establishment Card and other ancillary corporate registration documents.

Is DMCC the right free zone for your business?

Are you in commodities, trading, or a related sector?

DMCC is the UAE's leading commodities free zone. Its member network, facilities, and licence types are tailored for trade.

Do you want 100% foreign ownership and full repatriation?

DMCC allows full foreign ownership with no corporate tax in most cases, making it a competitive base for international trade.

Are you looking for a cost-effective free zone licence?

DMCC offers a range of licence types at competitive costs. We compare options and identify the best fit for your activity.

Do you need a physical office or flexi-desk in Dubai?

DMCC offers office solutions from flexi-desks to full floors. Your licence type determines what space options are available.

Frequently asked questions

DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is one of the largest UAE free zones, focused on commodities trading but accommodating thousands of companies across diverse sectors. It is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top free zones for its infrastructure, business support services and global reputation.
DMCC licenses cover trading (commodities, general trading), services, industrial activities and select professional services. The free zone allows multi-activity licenses with broad flexibility. Some regulated activities (financial services, healthcare) require additional sector-specific approvals from federal regulators.
 
Not directly. DMCC companies, like other free zone entities, are restricted to free zone and international trading. To sell to mainland UAE customers, a DMCC company must appoint a mainland distributor or agent, or apply for a dual license. Direct mainland trading without authorisation triggers customs and licensing issues.
DMCC offers flexi-desks, serviced offices, leased offices and own-building options. Office choice affects the number of employee visas the license supports and may affect corporate tax substance requirements. Smaller setups often start with flexi-desk and scale up as the business grows.

DMCC suits trading, commodities and general commercial activities. DIFC suits financial services, family offices and holding structures requiring a common law framework. Costs, governance, regulatory environment and tax treatment differ substantially. The right choice depends on the activity, clients and long-term strategy.

Key contacts:

Romain Astruc

Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation

Gabriel Elmarzouki

Associate – Corporate, Commercial & Litigation

Robin Cordeiro

Associate – Corporate and Regulatory Consultant

Get in touch

Other services you might need

A DMCC setup works best with the right banking, tax and employment legal foundations established alongside the incorporation.

Bank Account Opening Assistance in the UAE

DMCC companies require a UAE corporate bank account. We prepare your KYC file and coordinate the application directly.
Learn more

HR & Employment Contracts for UAE Businesses

From your first hire to your senior team, we draft compliant employment contracts tailored to your DMCC setup.
Learn more

Accounting, Auditing & Tax - UAE Corporate Compliance

DMCC entities are subject to UAE corporate tax. We build the tax and accounting framework around your business from day one.
Learn more

WHAT SET US APART

Why ASTRUC & Co

DMCC is the UAE’s most active free zone. We set up entities there efficiently and build the right foundations around the licence.

1.

Business-first advice

We assess whether DMCC genuinely fits your activity, trading model and medium-term plans – not just your immediate need for a fast licence. The right free zone choice saves

2.

End-to-end service

Licence, lease, banking, employment contracts, tax registration and compliance – we coordinate the full setup so your DMCC entity is operational and properly structured from

3.

Cross-border fluency

International companies entering the UAE through DMCC need lawyers who understand both sides. We guide you with full knowledge of your home jurisdiction and UAE requirements.

More than legal counsel

With you, all the way

Life in the UAE brings extraordinary opportunities — and equally complex legal realities. Whether you’re relocating your family, navigating a divorce across jurisdictions, or structuring an inheritance that spans continents, you deserve a legal partner who understands both the technicalities and the human side of what you’re going through. At ASTRUC & Co, we treat every client’s situation as if it were our own.

From our offices in Dubai to our network spanning Riyadh, Paris, and Luxembourg, we bring senior-level attention to every matter — personal or financial. We believe the best legal advice is honest, clear, and delivered by someone who genuinely cares about the outcome. That’s why our clients stay with us, and why they come back when life presents its next chapter.

Ready to move forward?

Book a consultation with our team to discuss your situation and explore the right legal and strategic approach for your business.

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Merger and Acquisition
  • Set-up of the Workstreams related to the Transaction
  • Legal Due Diligence
  • Tax Due Diligence
  • Negotiating and Drafting the SPA
  • Assistance related to Conditions Precedents
  • Registration of the Transaction with the Authorities
Private Equity
  • Advisory on PE life cycle from Fund Formation, Capital Deployment, M&A, etc.
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Banking &Finance
  • Banking loan documentation negotiation and review including requested securities
  • Account opening requirements and forms
  • Compliance controls upon onboarding as a bank customer and regular updates to allow flawless funds repatriation
  • Escalation if needed with banking authorities and preparing file for litigation
  • Arabic speaker for immediate translation or intermediation with third parties including local authorities.
Commercial
  • Commercial Agency – Contract Drafting and Litigation
  • Rent-Sales Contract – Contract Drafting, Contract Management and Litigation
  • Logistic Services Contract
  • IT Services Contract
  • Intermediary Contract
  • Other Services Contract
Construction
  • FIDIC Short Form of Contract
  • FIDIC Larger or more complex projects (the Construction Contract)
  • FIDIC Contractor doing the Design (Plant and Design-Build Contract)
  • FIDIC EPC/Turnkey Contract
  • Review of Ad Hoc Contracts
  • Assistance for Management of the Contract
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Employment Relationship
  • Assistance during Recruitment Phase with Executive Search Agents or Recruitment Agency
  • Drafting Offer Letter and Employment Contract
  • Drafting Disciplinary Policy and Documentation
  • Registration of Company with Labour Authorities
  • Registration of Employee with Labour Authorities
  • Assistance During Disciplinary Proceedings
  • Termination Strategy and Execution
  • Litigation Services
HR Strategy – Advisory Services
  • Labour Market Analysis
  • Labour Legislation Memo and Manual
  • Analysis of Remuneration Trends, Structures and Composition
  • Labour Taxation
  • Industry Practice reg. bonus, schedule, overtime, leave, length of service, etc.
Business Set-Up and Maintenance
  • Comparative Study on Options Available
  • Legal Memorandum on Corporate and Tax Laws
  • Set-Up Services (Company, Immigration, Labour, Banking, Tax)
  • Nominee Services (Regulated Activity)
  • Shareholders Agreements
  • Board of Directors Structuring
  • Dissolution, Liquidation, Bankruptcy Proceedings
  • Litigation/Arbitration (Manager or Shareholders Dispute)
  • Redomiciliation
Joint Venture and Investors Relationship
  • Set-up of Joint Venture Company
  • Drafting Joint Venture Agreement
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Expatriation Services
  • Employment Package and Contract Review
  • Wealth Management Advisory
  • Tenancy Opportunities and Contract Advisory
  • Medical Insurance Advisory
  • Banking Advisory
  • School Advisory
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
Relocation
  • Resignation Strategy
  • Tax Situation Review
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
  • Administration of the Departure and Legal Representation
Advisory
  • Advisory Services on the Developer (reliability check)
  • Review of Contract with Developer
  • Conveyance of Property and Supervision of the Sales Process
  • Legal Representation for the Purchase/Sales
  • Assistance with Engineers and Contractors
  • Assistance with tenants or holidays home management firm
Litigation
  • Cancellation of Contract
  • Cancellation of Project
  • Disputes regarding Lands
  • Disputes regarding Permits and Licenses
  • Dispute with Engineer or Contractor
Civil Status
  • Amendment of Civil Status (divorced/married) in Home Country
  • Change of Name
  • Transcription of Marriage or Divorce
  • Legalisation Services with Consulate and Embassies
Nationality and Immigration
  • Application for Nationality due to family reasons
  • Coordination Services for Obtaining Nationality based on Investment (more than 40 countries)
  • Immigration Services to Schengen Country (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to GCC countries (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Golden Visa, Nationality)
Succession Planning
  • Overall Estate Planning with Financial and Legal Experts
  • Set-up of Shariah Compliant Foundation or Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Trust (DIFC, UAE, ADGM, Foreign based)
  • Set-up of Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Last Wills in the UAE, Qatar, KSA and various territories, as needed
  • Family Counseling - Mediation of dispute between family members
Inheritance Proceedings
  • In any country where there are assets
  • Court proceedings based on Shariah Law
  • Court proceedings based on Deceased Law
  • Court Proceedings based on Last Will
Crime against the Person and Narcotics
  • Assault, Sexual Abuse, Murder
  • Kidnapping
  • Household Theft
  • Threat, Insult, Defamation, Harassment
  • Social Media Crimes
  • IT Crimes
  • Stealing or Misappropriation of Personal Data
  • Narcotics
Business Crimes
  • AML issues
  • Cryptocurrency and other Investment related Scams
  • Breach of Trust
  • Deception and Fraud
  • Theft of business secrets
  • Insolvency related Crimes
  • Accounting Crimes
  • Interpol
Marriages
  • Marriage between French nationals
  • Marriage involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Marriage involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Marriage involving two persons of different nationality
  • Marriage involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws
Divorces
  • Divorce between French nationals
  • Divorce involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Divorce involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Divorce involving two persons of different nationality
  • Divorce involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws