Estimate Your Annual Dubai Business Licence Fees Before You Incorporate
Current process reference: August 25, 2026.
Entrepreneurs and investors planning to establish a commercial entity in Dubai can estimate their annual licensing expenses before committing capital. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) provides an official cost calculator that generates tailored fee estimates based on corporate activity, ownership structure, and physical office commitments.
The total annual fee for a Dubai business licence depends on three primary parameters defined during setup. DET calculates the total expense by combining the baseline activity charges, legal form requirements, and an official office lease assessment.
| Licence Fee Factor | Calculation Basis |
|---|---|
| Office Lease Fee Component | 5% of annual premises rent |
| Base Licence Charges | Determined dynamically by chosen activities and legal structure |
How to Calculate Your Dubai Business Licence Fees Online
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism operates the cost estimation tool through its dedicated business setup platform, Invest in Dubai. Following this step-by-step process enables business owners to calculate projected licensing costs prior to formal application.
- Navigate to www.investindubai.gov.ae and scroll down to the ‘cost calculator’ tool located under services for new businesses.
- Enter your core business concept or target activity, such as general trading, restaurant operations, or financial consultation.
- Input the number of business partners and select their citizenship status, choosing between UAE national, GCC national, or expatriate options.
- Select the planned legal structure for your company, such as a Limited Liability Company (LLC), Public Joint Stock Company (PJSC), or Private Joint Stock Company (PrJSC), then select ‘calculate fees’ to display available licensing pathways.
- Input the yearly rent amount for your business premises if your selected license type requires physical office space, allowing the system to compute the final estimated total.
