Business & Beyond · Licensing fees
Trade License Cost Dubai: Fees & Quote Checklist
Understand what a licence price covers before comparing offers. Start with the issuing authority, licence route and activities, then check the charges included in your quotation.
This guide explains specific published fee examples and helps you compare licence-only pricing with a wider setup package.
How much does a trade license cost in Dubai?
There is no single licence price that applies to every Dubai business. Invest in Dubai states that issuance fees vary with licence type and activities. A free-zone proposal needs that authority’s own pricing. [1]
Ask for the amount payable for your exact proposal and a written list of inclusions. A published service fee, a licence line item and a complete company setup package describe different costs.
Official fee examples and their scope
These examples show why the service description matters. They are not interchangeable packages and should not be added together as a universal setup total.
| Service or fee line | Published amount | Scope to understand |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai trade name service | AED 620 | Issuing the trade name; this is not the licence price. [2] |
| Dubai eTrader route | AED 1,070 + AED 300 | The published licence and knowledge/innovation fees, plus Dubai Chamber membership. Check eligibility and permitted activities. [1] |
| Normal Dubai licence issuance | Authority assessment required | The official issuance page does not give one universal amount for all licence types and activities. [1] |
| DMCC standard setup: licence line | AED 20,285 annually | The licence line under Company Setup Standard Pricing; verify the applicable activity pricing and separate charges. [3] |
Read the eTrader figure in context
Its two published components add to AED 1,370. The official description concerns a home-based sole-establishment route; it is not a general price for every trading company or online business. [1]
Read the DMCC figure in context
DMCC lists application, registration, articles and establishment-card charges separately. Additional activities can affect licence fees. Its schedule contains charge conditions and is subject to change. Confirm the final assessment with DMCC. [3]
For naming guidance, read our Dubai trade name reservation guide. For a DMCC proposal, visit our DMCC company setup page.
Licence-only price or full setup package?
Ask the quotation provider to mark every item as included, excluded or not applicable. A clear scope is more useful than a headline total alone.
| Potential item | Question for the provider |
|---|---|
| Licence issuance | Which authority, licence type, activities and term does the price cover? |
| Name and application steps | Are required name, application or approval services included? |
| Registration and company documents | Which registration and document charges are covered? |
| Premises or facility | Does the price include a facility arrangement, and for how long? |
| Immigration and visas | Are these included, separately quoted or outside the proposal? |
| External permissions | Are any additional activity or product approvals priced? |
| Professional assistance | Which tasks does the service fee cover? |
| Taxes, levies and deposits | What is included in the payable total, and which amounts are refundable? |
This is a quote-review checklist, not a statement that every item applies to every company. For your wider launch budget, use our Dubai business setup cost guide.
Describe the business before requesting a price
Give each provider the same brief so their proposals can be compared fairly:
- Activities: explain the products or services and any additional operations.
- Registration route: identify the mainland option or named free zone under consideration.
- Company structure: describe the proposed owners and legal form.
- Facilities: explain the premises or workspace you expect to use.
- People: state your visa needs and intended staffing.
- Timing: give your target date and ask how long the quote remains valid.
Use our business activity selection guide to organise the activity brief and our trade license types guide to understand the categories.
How to compare two licence quotations
- Match the proposals. Check the authority, activities, company structure, licence term and facility assumptions.
- Separate the charges. Identify government or authority fees, professional assistance and optional services.
- List the exclusions. Request a price or explanation for each item your business still needs.
- Check the payment schedule. Record when amounts become payable and the cancellation or refund terms.
- Request renewal pricing. Ask what ends after the first term and what will be payable later.
- Confirm the final assessment. Obtain written clarification of uncertain items before proceeding.
Practical example: one proposal includes only the licence, while another includes registration and a workspace. Compare the same required scope before deciding which offer is more suitable. This is an illustrative comparison, not a market-price estimate.
A lower headline amount is a starting point for questions. Confirm that the proposed route and inclusions fit your plans.
Keep renewal and amendment costs visible
Request a second-year quotation alongside the initial proposal. Ask whether a promotional rate expires and how the licence, facility and service charges would be assessed later.
Also ask how future changes would be priced, such as adding an activity, changing company details or moving premises.
For the application processes, read our trade license renewal guide and business license amendments guide.
Your trade licence quotation checklist
- The issuing authority and licence route are named.
- The proposed activities and company structure are stated.
- The licence term and quote validity are clear.
- Included and excluded items are listed.
- Authority charges and professional fees can be identified.
- Facility, visa and approval assumptions are explained.
- The final payable amount and payment stages are recorded.
- Renewal, amendment and cancellation questions are answered.
Keep the quotation and its clarifications together. Recheck the scope if your business brief changes.
Discuss your Dubai trade license cost with Business & Beyond
Share your activity brief, intended jurisdiction, facility needs and visa plans. We can help organise the licensing enquiry and the questions to resolve when reviewing a quote.
Trade license cost Dubai: FAQs
Is there a fixed trade licence price for every Dubai company?
No. Obtain the assessment for your particular licence route and activities. The published examples above explain the scope of specific services.
Is a licence price the same as the full setup cost?
Check the quotation. It may cover a licence line item or a wider package. Request a written inclusion list before using it as your complete launch budget.
Does the AED 620 trade name fee include the licence?
No. It is the published Dubai trade name service charge. Check whether that service is already included in your quotation before budgeting it separately.
Can I use the eTrader price for my proposed company?
First confirm that you qualify for that route and that it fits your activities. A published amount alone does not establish suitability or eligibility.
Does the DMCC licence figure include the whole setup?
No. It is a specific line in DMCC’s standard setup schedule. Read the separate charges, activity conditions and any package proposal together.
Will renewal cost the same as the first year?
Ask for renewal pricing in writing. Check the future treatment of promotions, facility arrangements and professional assistance rather than assuming the initial total repeats.
Official fee sources
- Invest in Dubai: request to issue a trade licence
- Invest in Dubai: request to book a trade name
- DMCC: schedule of charges
Reviewed: 6 October 2026. Published examples are specific to the services identified. Confirm current eligibility, inclusions, conditions and the final amount with the issuing authority.
