Setting up
Office and workspace
Co-working, serviced suites and fitted offices inside the Centre
In short
Every DIFC entity except a Prescribed Company needs premises inside the Centre. Options run from a hot desk in the Innovation Hub through serviced suites to leased floors in the towers. The choice sets your visa quota and is usually the largest fixed cost of a DIFC presence.
What you get
- Requirement definition based on headcount, visa quota and regulatory status
- Options across co-working, serviced and leased space
- Viewings and commercial negotiation support
- Lease review and registration with the Registrar
- Fit-out coordination for leased space
Timeline: 2 to 6 weeks depending on the option
What the Registrar and the DFSA each accept
For a non-regulated entity, a co-working or serviced arrangement inside the Centre is usually acceptable as registered premises. For a DFSA Authorised Firm the expectation is higher: the regulator looks for space appropriate to the activity, with confidentiality, record security and room for the required staff.
A Category 3C fund manager operating from a shared desk is going to face questions. Budget for dedicated space if you are applying for a Licence.
Where the buildings differ
The Gate Building and Gate Village carry the traditional DIFC address and command a premium. ICD Brookfield Place is the newest large-scale tower and attracts international firms. Central Park and Index offer more competitive rates. The Innovation Hub is where early-stage technology firms cluster and where the co-working packages sit.
Rents are quoted per square foot per year and vary considerably by building, floor and fit-out condition. Service charges are separate and material, so compare all-in figures rather than headline rates.
Questions
Can a DIFC company operate from a co-working desk?
Non-regulated entities generally can, and the Innovation Hub packages are built for exactly that. DFSA Authorised Firms usually need dedicated space, because the regulator assesses whether the premises suit the activity.
How much does DIFC office space cost?
Co-working desks start from a few hundred dollars a month. Serviced suites and leased space are quoted per square foot per year and vary widely by building. Service charges are additional and should be included in any comparison.
Not sure which DIFC licence you need?
Answer eight questions and we will tell you the licence route, the likely cost and the realistic timeline. It takes about two minutes and there is no obligation.