Company setup comparison
Meydan vs DMCC: which costs less in 2026?
Meydan has the lower listed starting bare licence figure by AED 22,984. Qualified starting prices are not fixed quotes or guaranteed savings. The licence with one visa figure for DMCC is not available in our data, so a price difference cannot be calculated. Listed trade-off: Meydan — Cheapest bare licence in central Dubai; DMCC — Premium zone. A free-zone company cannot trade freely onshore without a distributor or mainland branch.
Figures are government costs published by a company-setup consultancy and are indicative. Because that source is itself a vendor, confirm with each authority before you commit.
Costs side by side
| Cost or detail | Meydan | DMCC |
|---|---|---|
| Zero-visa licence | AED 12,500 | from about AED 35,484 |
| With one visa | AED 20,670 | Not available in our data |
| Type | free zone | free zone |
| Notes | Cheapest bare licence in central Dubai; first visa adds 8,170 | Premium zone |
| Source | Consultancy estimate, July 2026Last verified 9 Oct 2026 | Consultancy estimate, July 2026Last verified 9 Oct 2026 |
Official sources: Meydan — official fees published (Meydan Free Zone official website); DMCC — official fees published (DMCC official blog, 12 Feb 2026).
Choose Meydan if
These listed characteristics match your requirements:
- Meydan is listed as free zone.
- Cheapest bare licence in central Dubai
- first visa adds 8,170
- A free-zone company cannot trade freely onshore without a distributor or mainland branch.
Choose DMCC if
These listed characteristics match your requirements:
- DMCC is listed as free zone.
- Premium zone
- A free-zone company cannot trade freely onshore without a distributor or mainland branch.
Frequently asked questions
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