Costs
What a DIFC company actually costs
In short
A non-regulated DIFC company costs roughly US$21,000 in year one before premises. Add a co-working desk and you are near US$29,000. A Prescribed Company runs from about US$8,000 in year one and US$6,000 a year after. A DFSA regulated firm starts around US$60,000 and rises sharply with the prudential category, before any regulatory capital.
DIFC government fees
Paid to the Registrar of Companies and the DIFC Authority.
| Item | Amount | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | US$800 | One-off | Paid on application to the Registrar |
| Incorporation, Private Company | US$8,000 | One-off | |
| Registration, Recognised Company (branch) | US$8,000 | One-off | |
| Prescribed Company incorporation | US$1,000 to US$2,000 | One-off | |
| Foundation registration | US$1,000 | One-off | Plus US$200 application fee |
| Commercial licence, non-regulated | US$12,000 | Annual | |
| Commercial licence, Innovation Licence | From US$1,500 | Annual | During the discounted term |
| Prescribed Company annual fee | US$1,000 to US$2,500 | Annual | |
| Foundation annual fee | US$1,000 to US$1,200 | Annual | |
| Data protection notification | US$500 | Annual | |
| Establishment card | US$630 | Annual | Required before sponsoring visas |
DFSA fees
Payable only by firms carrying on a Financial Service. These sit on top of the DIFC fees above, not instead of them.
| Item | Amount | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DFSA application fee, Category 4 | From US$5,000 | One-off | |
| DFSA application fee, Category 3C | From US$25,000 | One-off | |
| DFSA application fee, Category 1 or 2 | US$40,000 to US$70,000 | One-off | |
| DFSA annual fee | Usually mirrors the application fee | Annual | Plus activity supplements |
| Representative Office | From US$4,000 | Annual | |
| Fund registration, QIF | From US$2,000 | One-off | Per fund |
| Authorised Individual application | From US$500 | One-off | Per individual |
Operating and professional costs
The recurring costs that decide the real annual run rate. Premises is usually the largest line.
| Item | Amount | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co-working desk, Innovation Hub | From US$500 | Monthly | |
| Serviced office | From US$25,000 | Annual | |
| Leased office space | Quoted per square foot | Annual | Service charges are additional |
| Registered office provider | From US$4,000 | Annual | Prescribed Companies and Foundations |
| Company secretary | From US$3,000 | Annual | |
| Audit | From US$5,000 | Annual | Scales with size and complexity |
| Bookkeeping | From US$500 | Monthly | |
| Outsourced compliance and MLRO | From US$30,000 | Annual | Authorised Firms |
| Employment visa | US$3,000 to US$5,000 | Variable | Per employee, including medical and Emirates ID |
| Professional indemnity insurance | From US$6,000 | Annual | Required for Authorised Firms |
How to read these figures
Fees are set by DIFC, the DFSA and the relevant federal authorities and change without notice. These tables were reviewed in September 2026 and are offered as a budgeting aid, not a quote. Regulatory capital is held rather than spent and is not included in any total. Confirm the current schedule before committing.Costs
Common questions
How much does it cost to set up a company in the DIFC?
Around US$21,000 in year one for a non-regulated company before premises, covering name reservation, incorporation, the commercial licence, data protection notification and the establishment card. Office space adds from US$8,000 a year. A DFSA regulated firm starts nearer US$60,000 and rises with prudential category.
What are the annual running costs of a DIFC company?
Budget from US$20,000 a year for a non-regulated entity with a co-working desk, covering the licence, data protection renewal, workspace, company secretary and audit. A Prescribed Company runs from around US$6,000. A DFSA Authorised Firm rarely runs below US$120,000 once compliance support is included.
Is DIFC more expensive than other Dubai free zones?
Yes, several times over. DMCC and similar commercial free zones start from around US$5,000 all in. The DIFC premium buys an independent common law jurisdiction, its own courts and a financial services regulator. If your business does not need those, the premium is not worth paying.
Does the DIFC licence fee include office space?
No. The commercial licence and the premises are separate costs. Innovation Hub packages are the exception, since they usually bundle a co-working desk with the discounted licence.
Build the number for your own setup
Pick the route, the workspace and the support you need, and the calculator gives you a first-year figure and an annual run rate.