DMCC License Cost: Complete 2026 Breakdown
Quick answer: an all-in DMCC company cost starts from around AED 33,000 per year, covering membership, trade license, and a flexi-desk. Add AED 5,000–7,000 per residency visa, plus optional upgrades for a dedicated office or premium membership.
DMCC Cost Components
| Component | Typical Annual Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DMCC membership | AED 15,000 | Required for every DMCC company; renewed annually. |
| Trade license | AED 10,000–25,000 | Depends on license type and number of activities. |
| Office package | AED 18,000–50,000+ | Flexi-desk at the low end; dedicated offices and suites above. |
| Visa (per person) | AED 5,000–7,000 | Includes medical, Emirates ID, and stamping. |
License Types and Price Ranges
DMCC issues several license categories. Trading licences are the most common because of DMCC’s commodities heritage; services and industrial licences are priced differently.
- Trading licence – from AED 10,000–15,000 of the license component. Best for import/export, general trading, and commodities.
- Services licence – typically AED 12,000–20,000. Best for consultancies, IT services, and fintech.
- Industrial / manufacturing licence – AED 15,000–25,000. For light production and product assembly within the DMCC ecosystem.
Total First-Year Scenarios
- Basic package (no visa): AED 33,000–43,000
- Standard package (1–2 visas): AED 45,000–65,000
- Premium package (3+ visas, dedicated office): AED 70,000+
Renewal and Hidden Costs
Renewal usually costs less than your first year because setup fees drop away, but you still pay membership, license, and office each year. Budget for optional extras too:
- PRO / visa processing services: AED 3,000–5,000
- Bank account opening assistance: AED 2,000–4,000
- Health insurance: AED 1,500–5,000 per person
- Emirates ID fees: AED 370 per application
Is DMCC Worth the Premium?
DMCC is among the pricier free zones, but it earns its cost for commodities traders, gold and diamond businesses, fintech firms, and companies that want a Jumeirah Lakes Towers address next to a deep trading ecosystem. If you mainly need a compliant, low-cost license for consulting or online trading, an economy zone (RAK ICC, Ajman FTZ, SRTIP) delivers the same free zone benefits from around AED 5,900 – and you can always migrate to DMCC later.
Tax and Compliance at DMCC
Free zone companies remain eligible for 0% corporate income tax on qualifying income, with the 9% UAE corporate tax rate applying to profits above the threshold where applicable. DMCC also provides trade facilitation, dispute resolution, and a registered address that banks recognise worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the AED 33,000 DMCC figure? Membership, trade license, and a flexi-desk for one year. Visas, health insurance, and PRO services are additional.
How much does DMCC cost to renew? Expect to re-pay membership and license fees plus your office package; many companies budget 20–30% less than year one.
Can I set up in DMCC from abroad? Yes, DMCC allows remote incorporation with electronic document processing.
How long does a DMCC license take? Typically 5–7 business days once documents are complete.
