Business Set-Up in the UAE
Business-focused legal support for business set-up in the UAE, helping companies reduce risk and move forward with confidence.
Business Set-Up in the UAE
The UAE offers mainland, free zone, and specialised economic zone options – each with different ownership rules, costs, and regulatory requirements. We run a comparative analysis first, then handle the full incorporation from constitutional documents to trade licence issuance.
In-depth description
Setting up a business in the UAE means choosing between a complex mosaic of mainland, free zone, and specialized economic zone options – each with its own ownership rules, tax implications, permitted activities, and cost structure. Getting this choice right from day one matters enormously.
Comparative Options Study
Understanding the ideal corporate structure in the UAE can be complex, given its mosaic of mainland, free zone, and specialized economic zone options—much like Singapore or Hong Kong. Our Comparative Options Study demystifies these choices for businesses of all sizes. We analyze your business model and prepare a detailed, side-by-side comparison of the most viable jurisdictions, assessing critical factors like ownership, activities, costs, and regulatory frameworks. This practical report empowers entrepreneurs and established businesses alike to make an informed foundational decision.
Scope of work
- Conduct a workshop to understand your business goals, operational needs, and shareholder constraints.
- Analyze and compare viable mainland, free zone, and specialized economic zone options based on ownership, activities, costs, taxation, and compliance.
- Assess the pros and cons of each option against your specific business case.
Deliverables
- A detailed Comparative Options Report with a side-by-side analysis.
- A strategic recommendation of the best-suited structure.
- A high-level setup roadmap with cost estimates.
Pricing
AED 10,000 – AED 50,000, billed Lump Sum.
Existing structure, number of options, complexity, urgency.
Company Incorporation & Formation (LLC, Partnership, Sole Proprietorship)
Incorporation and Formation service offers expert guidance on choosing and establishing the right business structure—LLC, Partnerships, or Sole Proprietorship. 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.
Deliverables
- The company’s official Trade License.
- The registered Memorandum of Association.
- The Establishment Card and other ancillary corporate registration documents.
Pricing
AED 10,000 – AED 250,000, billed Lump Sum.
Existing structure, number of shareholders and stakeholders.
Place of registration being Mainland, DIFC, Meydan.
Private or public company.
Class of shares.
Are you ready to set up a business in the UAE?
Are you unsure whether mainland or free zone is right for you?
Do you need 100% foreign ownership of your UAE company?
Are you expanding into the UAE from an existing business abroad?
Have you received conflicting advice on where to incorporate?
Frequently asked questions
Companies must maintain their trade license annually, file UAE corporate tax returns (from June 2023), comply with UBO and ESR reporting requirements, maintain proper accounting records, and meet any sector-specific filings. Failure to file or renew on time triggers fines and license suspension.
Key contacts:
Romain Astruc
Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation
Gabriel Elmarzouki
Associate – Corporate, Commercial & Litigation
Robin Cordeiro
Associate – Corporate and Regulatory Consultant
Other services you might need
Setting up in the UAE is the first step. Banking, tax compliance and corporate governance are the immediate priorities that follow.
Accounting, Auditing & Tax - UAE Corporate Compliance
Bank Account Opening Assistance in the UAE
Regulatory Compliance for UAE Businesses
WHAT SET US APART
Why ASTRUC & Co
Setting up in the UAE is a strategic decision. We make sure the structure you choose serves your business for the long term.
1.
Business-first advice
We understand your commercial model, growth plans and investor requirements – and design the legal structure around them, not the other way around. The advice follows the
2.
Cross-border fluency
Foreign companies setting up in the UAE need lawyers who understand both the origin jurisdiction and the UAE. We work across French, European and UAE corporate law without
3.
End-to-end service
Incorporation, banking, tax registration, employment contracts and compliance – we handle the full setup in one engagement, so you can focus on launching the business.
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.
