How much does it cost to set up a business in Dubai?

The cost of setting up a business in Dubai from India depends on the type of company (mainland, free zone or offshore), the license required and the business activity. It can range from AED 12,000 to AED 50,000 or more. Flyingcolour® offers customized packages for Indian entrepreneurs to ensure cost effective and compliant setup solutions.

What is the role of a business setup consultant in Dubai?

A business setup consultant in Dubai helps you navigate the complex regulations, choose the right jurisdiction (free zone, mainland or offshore), handle all legal documentation and ensure a smooth company formation process. At Flyingcolour®, we assist Indian entrepreneurs every step of the way to make business setup seamless and stress free.

What is a Business Setup Service?

Business setup services in UAE include company registration, licensing, document drafting, PRO services, visa processing and more. These services are essential for Indian businesses entering the UAE market, to ensure legal compliance and faster establishment.

How to set up a business in the UAE?

To set up a business in UAE from India, you need to: Choose the right business activity and license type, decide between mainland, free zone or offshore, reserve a trade name, submit legal documents and get approvals, open a business bank account and apply for visas. Flyingcolour® handles the entire process for Indian entrepreneurs, hassle free.

What are the benefits of setting up a business in Dubai?

Some of the key benefits of setting up a business in Dubai are: 100% foreign ownership (especially in free zones), zero personal and corporate income tax, no import/export duties, access to a skilled workforce and global markets, strong privacy laws and infrastructure. These advantages make Dubai ideal for Indian entrepreneurs and NRIs.

Who can set up a business in Dubai?

Anyone—including Indian citizens, NRIs and Indian businesses—can set up a company in Dubai. Whether you are a startup founder, SME owner or an investor, Flyingcolour® provides full support to get your Dubai company registered from India, with minimal hassle.

UAE business setup for French entrepreneurs · since 2004

Your trusted partner for setting up your business in Dubai, from France.

Company formation, visas, banking and tax guidance from a team that understands the questions French founders actually have before they move.

Get Business Setup Quote ↗Start free consultation ↗

Mainland, Free Zone & Offshore specialists
22+ years of experience in UAE business setup
Experienced in supporting French entrepreneurs and investors

22+Years in business

18,000+Global clients

175+Professionals

4.9Google rating

Flyingcolour® Business Setup in Dubai for French Founders

Most French entrepreneurs looking at Dubai have already heard the headline numbers: 0% personal income tax, 100% foreign ownership in many activities. What's harder to find is a clear answer on what actually changes — how the France–UAE tax treaty applies to your situation, what your French tax residency status becomes, and how your structure needs to be set up for the move to be real, not just an address on paper.

We're not a substitute for your French accountant or tax lawyer. We handle the UAE side — structure, licence, visa and banking — and flag clearly which questions need confirming with your adviser in France.

Three ways to build your UAE business.

Mainland

For businesses that want to trade directly in the UAE local market, or need a physical office.

100% foreign ownership for most activities
Full access to the local market, alongside international trade
Flexible visa options

Explore Mainland ↗

Free Zone

A common starting point for French founders in consulting, e-commerce or services.

100% ownership, no local partner required
Starting costs vary by activity, jurisdiction and package
Well suited to a business still being run from France in the early stages

Explore Free Zone ↗

Offshore

For asset holding or an international holding structure — not a stand-alone tax solution.

No UAE residence visa attached
Useful for international trade and asset protection
Best combined with advice from a French tax adviser on your personal situation

Explore Offshore ↗

Everything you need to set up in Dubai from France, without surprises later.

Company formation

Activity selection, jurisdiction advice and full incorporation, explained clearly.

Residence visas & PRO support

UAE residency and Emirates ID for you and your team.

Business banking

Corporate bank account assistance with UAE banks.

Accounting & taxation

UAE VAT and Corporate Tax through FTA-approved agents, kept consistent with your French obligations.

Audit & ongoing compliance

Ministry of Economy-approved audit, AML, FATCA and CRS support.

Succession & continuity

Wills, foundations and structures for long-term planning.

Golden Visa

Long-term UAE residency guidance for investors and founders planning a genuine relocation.

A clear path from planning to launch.

Free consultation
We start with your current situation in France: existing structure, activity, and what "moving to Dubai" actually needs to mean for you.
Choose the jurisdiction
Mainland, Free Zone or Offshore, compared against your real business.
Licence application
Documents prepared, name reserved, approvals secured.
Visas & Emirates ID
Residency, medical and identity steps coordinated for you.
Banking & ongoing support
Business bank account application supported, subject to bank approval, with a plan for staying compliant after launch.

Compare the three jurisdictions.

A basic comparison for French founders. Your business activity, shareholding structure and actual tax residency can change which structure fits best.

Swipe to compare all three structures →

Consideration	Mainland	Free Zone	Offshore
Best for	Local UAE physical setup	Easy starting and virtual setup	International trade and asset holding
Foreign ownership	100% for most activities	100% allowed	100% allowed
Office requirement	Physical premises generally required	Virtual and physical options allowed	Address of registered agent
Residence visas	Available and scalable	Available and scalable	Not available

What setting up a UAE company actually changes for a French entrepreneur.

0% personal income tax in the UAE, with corporate tax treatment depending on the entity, income and applicable conditions
100% foreign ownership across most Free Zone and Mainland activities
A tax treaty exists between France and the UAE — how it applies depends on your personal situation
Support from a team experienced with French clients, from the first conversation through ongoing accounting

Why French entrepreneurs work with Flyingcolour®.

Over two decades supporting company formation, banking, visas and compliance in the UAE, with a team experienced in the questions French clients bring. We're clear about what belongs with your tax adviser in France, and we make sure the UAE side of your structure is set up correctly from the start.

Real support. Real client outcomes.

Read feedback from Flyingcolour clients across our services.

Read Google reviews ↗

Questions French founders ask first.

Can I set up a company in Dubai without leaving France?

Yes, most of the process can be started remotely. Some steps, like opening a bank account, may eventually require your physical presence in the UAE.

Does the France–UAE tax treaty apply automatically?

It depends on your personal situation and actual tax residency, not just where the company is registered. This should be confirmed with a French tax adviser.

Mainland or Free Zone — which fits a business run from France?

Free Zone is a common starting point for consulting, services or e-commerce businesses, with full ownership and a range of setup packages. Costs depend on your activity and requirements. Mainland matters more if you need to trade directly in the UAE local market.

How long does it take to set up a company in the UAE from France?

Typically a few working days to a few weeks, depending on jurisdiction, activity and any additional approvals required.

Do I need a residence visa to open a business bank account?

Not always at application stage, but most UAE banks prefer to see a residence visa in progress or completed before finalising a corporate account.

Set up your UAE company with a team that understands French founders, start to finish.

Start your consultation ↗or call +971 4 454 2366

Your trusted partner for setting up your business in Dubai, from France.

Flyingcolour® Business Setup in Dubai for French Founders

Three ways to build your UAE business.

Mainland

Free Zone

Offshore

Everything you need to set up in Dubai from France, without surprises later.

Company formation

Residence visas & PRO support

Business banking

Accounting & taxation

Audit & ongoing compliance

Succession & continuity

Golden Visa

A clear path from planning to launch.

Free consultation

Choose the jurisdiction

Licence application

Visas & Emirates ID

Banking & ongoing support

Compare the three jurisdictions.

What setting up a UAE company actually changes for a French entrepreneur.

Why French entrepreneurs work with Flyingcolour®.

Real support. Real client outcomes.

Questions French founders ask first.

Set up your UAE company with a team that understands French founders, start to finish.

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Dubai Media City

Dubai International Financial Centre

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