Dubai has over 30 free zones, each with a different fee structure, activity focus, and reputation with banks. Picking the wrong one can mean compliance headaches, unnecessary fees, or rejected bank applications later. This directory profiles 21 of the most-used Dubai free zones for 2026 — what they’re good for, who they’re not for, and indicative starting costs.
How to Use This Directory
Each profile below covers: year established, activity focus, indicative starting licence cost (excluding visas, establishment cards, and office), visa allocation, designated-zone status (Y/N), and best-for. Numbers are indicative for 2026; confirm against the zone’s own quote before signing.
Dubai Free Zones at a Glance
| Zone | Starting Licence (AED) | Activity Focus | Designated Zone? |
| DMCC | ~20,000 | Commodities, trading, services | No |
| JAFZA | ~25,000+ | Trading, logistics, manufacturing | Yes |
| DAFZA | ~25,000+ | Aviation, logistics, trading | Yes |
| DIFC | ~50,000+ | Financial services, fintech | No |
| Dubai Internet City | ~25,000+ | Tech, software, IT services | No |
| Dubai Media City | ~20,000+ | Media, advertising, content | No |
| Dubai Healthcare City | ~25,000+ | Healthcare, pharma, wellness | No |
| Dubai Design District (d3) | ~25,000+ | Design, fashion, creative | No |
| IFZA (Dubai Silicon Oasis) | ~12,900+ | Multi-activity, SMEs | No |
| Meydan Free Zone | ~12,500+ | Trading, services, SMEs | No |
| Dubai South | ~12,000+ | Logistics, aviation, e-commerce | Yes (parts) |
| Dubai CommerCity | ~15,000+ | E-commerce, digital trade | Yes |
| Dubai Production City (IMPZ) | ~15,000+ | Printing, publishing | No |
| Dubai Studio City | ~20,000+ | Film, broadcast, production | No |
| Dubai Knowledge Park | ~20,000+ | Education, HR, training | No |
| Dubai Outsource City | ~15,000+ | BPO, contact centres | No |
| Dubai Industrial City | ~25,000+ | Light & medium industry | No |
| DTEC (DSOA) | ~15,000+ | Tech startups | No |
| Dubai International Academic City | ~25,000+ | Higher education | No |
| Dubai Auto Zone (DUCAMZ) | ~15,000+ | Used / re-export vehicles | Yes |
| International Humanitarian City | ~15,000+ | Humanitarian aid | Yes |
Key Benefits Common to All Dubai Free Zones
100% Foreign Ownership
Free zones have always allowed 100% foreign ownership. The UAE amended the Commercial Companies Law in 2020 to allow full foreign ownership on the mainland for most activities (effective 1 June 2021), but free zones remain the simpler, faster path.
0% Personal Income Tax
The UAE has no personal income tax on employment income, dividends, or capital gains.
Corporate Tax (QFZP)
Free-zone companies can enjoy a 0% corporate-tax rate on qualifying income — but only if they meet Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) conditions under Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023 and Ministerial Decision No. 265 of 2023. Non-qualifying income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
Full Profit Repatriation
No restrictions on repatriating 100% of profits and capital. No foreign-exchange controls.
Profiled: 21 Dubai Free Zones
1. DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)
Established 2002. Dubai’s largest free zone by company count, home to tens of thousands of companies. Originally focused on commodities (gold, diamonds, tea, coffee) but now covers general trading, professional services, and tech. Strong banking acceptance across all major UAE banks. Best for trading, commodities, services, mid-size SMEs.
2. JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone)
Established 1985 — Dubai’s first free zone. Designated zone for VAT. Direct access to Jebel Ali Port, one of the world’s busiest container terminals. Best for international trading, logistics, manufacturing, and re-export.
3. DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone)
Adjacent to Dubai International Airport (DXB). Designated zone for VAT. Strong for aviation services, logistics, trading, and high-value goods. More expensive than average; best for businesses that benefit from airport proximity.
4. DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre)
Independent financial regulator (DFSA) oversight; English common-law jurisdiction within the UAE. Best for asset managers, banks, fintech, family offices, and any regulated financial services. Materially more expensive than other Dubai free zones — but the only credible option for licensed financial activities.
5. Dubai Internet City
Part of TECOM Group. Home to multinational tech anchors (Microsoft, Oracle, Google’s regional offices historically). Best for SaaS, IT consultancies, and tech startups that benefit from the tech-ecosystem brand.
6. Dubai Media City
Also TECOM. Long-standing hub for media, advertising, and content businesses. Best for production houses, advertising agencies, PR firms, and content creators.
7. Dubai Healthcare City
Healthcare-focused regulator (DHCR) within the zone. Best for clinics, medical-device companies, healthcare-services firms, and pharma.
8. Dubai Design District (d3)
Design and creative-industries cluster. Best for fashion, product design, architecture, and creative agencies.
9. IFZA (in Dubai Silicon Oasis)
Originally founded in Fujairah in 2018, IFZA relocated to Dubai Silicon Oasis in August 2020 and is now a Dubai free zone operating under the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority. Competitive starting prices and a wide activity list. Best for SMEs, freelancers, and budget-conscious foreign entrepreneurs.
10. Meydan Free Zone
Affordable mid-tier zone with a strong activity list. Streamlined digital setup. Best for trading SMEs and service businesses on a tighter budget.
11. Dubai South Free Zone
Adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport and the future Expo / Dubai South development. Parts of the zone are designated for VAT. Best for logistics, aviation, and e-commerce operations needing southern-Dubai location.
12. Dubai CommerCity
First free zone dedicated to e-commerce. Designated zone for VAT. Best for cross-border e-commerce sellers and digital trade businesses.
13. Dubai Production City (IMPZ)
Best for printing, publishing, and content production businesses needing warehouse-attached operations.
14. Dubai Studio City
Film and TV production infrastructure (sound stages, post-production facilities). Best for production companies and broadcast media.
15. Dubai Knowledge Park
Education, training, and HR-services hub. Best for training providers, HR consultancies, and education-services businesses.
16. Dubai Outsource City
Built for BPO, contact centres, and back-office operations. Best for outsourcing firms and shared-services centres.
17. Dubai Industrial City
Industrial-focused free zone for light and medium manufacturing. Best for SME manufacturers and assembly operations.
18. DTEC (Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus)
Co-working-style ecosystem within Dubai Silicon Oasis aimed at tech startups. Best for very-early-stage tech companies.
19. Dubai International Academic City
Higher-education cluster. Best for universities, training institutions, and education-services providers.
20. Dubai Auto Zone (DUCAMZ)
Designated zone for VAT. Best for used-vehicle trading, re-export, and automotive parts.
21. International Humanitarian City
Designated zone for VAT. Best for humanitarian-aid organisations and logistics.
Picking by Business Type
- Solo consultant / SME on a budget: IFZA or Meydan.
- Trading and re-export: JAFZA (designated zone) or DMCC.
- Tech / SaaS / digital: Dubai Internet City or DTEC.
- Financial services / fintech: DIFC.
- E-commerce / cross-border digital trade: Dubai CommerCity (designated).
- Logistics / aviation: DAFZA or Dubai South.
- Media / content / production: Dubai Media City or Dubai Studio City.
- Healthcare / pharma: Dubai Healthcare City.
Still deciding between a Dubai free zone and mainland company setup? Read our detailed guide on Free Zone vs Mainland UAE to understand ownership, tax, banking, and operational differences before choosing the right structure for your business.
What We See Most Often (BCL Globiz Experience)
The activity list you choose at setup binds your invoicing options for the year. We routinely receive client requests in months 3–6 to add “consulting” or “general trading” activities they didn’t anticipate at setup. Each addition costs AED 1,000–2,500 and in some zones requires a licence amendment fee on top. Spending 30 minutes at setup mapping your 12-month invoicing plan to the activity list usually saves all of this.
Banking note: DMCC and DIFC have the highest acceptance rates with major UAE banks. Newer / cheaper free zones (IFZA, Meydan) often route applications to challenger banks first; this is fine but adds 2–6 weeks compared to a tier-1 bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many free zones does Dubai have?
Dubai has over 30 free zones as of 2026. This directory profiles 21 of the most commonly used. The exact number fluctuates as new zones are occasionally added or consolidated.
Which is the best free zone in Dubai?
There is no single best zone — the right one depends on activity, budget, banking needs, and customer mix. See the “Picking by Business Type” section above for advisor-led recommendations.
What is the cheapest Dubai free zone?
Indicative starting costs are lowest at Meydan and IFZA (from approximately AED 12,500–12,900 for basic packages). Shams in neighbouring Sharjah starts from approximately AED 5,750 if you can use a Sharjah-licensed entity.
Are Dubai free-zone companies subject to corporate tax?
Free-zone companies are subject to UAE corporate tax under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, but may benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income if they meet QFZP conditions under Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023 and Ministerial Decision No. 265 of 2023. Non-qualifying income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
Reach out to our experts at info@bcl.ae.
