DMCC Company Setup: 2026 Costs and Requirements
Setting up a company in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) in 2026 costs roughly AED 15,000 to 20,000 for the license itself and a realistic AED 47,000 to 52,000 for the first year once the mandatory flexi-desk, one visa, and registration fees are included. DMCC is Dubai's largest free zone, with more than 26,000 member companies reported in 2025.
What Does a DMCC License Cost in 2026?
DMCC costs in 2026 run from AED 15,000 for the license alone to AED 90,000 and above for serviced offices; the table itemizes the license, the office packages, the realistic one-visa first year of AED 47,000 to 52,000, and the roughly AED 25,000 renewal.
| Cost item | 2026 range (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade license (annual) | 15,000–20,265 | Depends on activity; e-commerce and freelance packages start lower |
| Virtual office package | 19,500–23,500 | Typically includes 1 visa slot |
| Flexi-desk package | 24,500–29,500 | Typically includes 2 visa slots |
| Serviced / executive office | 45,000–90,000+ | Visa quota scales with floor area |
| Realistic first year, 1 visa | 47,000–52,000 | License + flexi-desk + visa + establishment card |
| Annual renewal | ~25,000 | License + office renewal, excluding visa renewals |
Ranges compiled 2026 from published fee guides by SafeLedger, myHQ, and UAE Free Zone Finder. DMCC publishes final fees at registration; treat these ranges as planning figures.
Who Is DMCC For?
DMCC suits trading companies, commodities businesses, and firms that want a Jumeirah Lakes Towers address with strong banking acceptance. DMCC reported over 2,300 new companies joining during 2025, with more than 4,000 technology firms and roughly 3,600 energy-sector companies among its members. The zone ran the Dubai Good Delivery refiner standard until the national UAE Good Delivery scheme replaced it in 2021, and it still hosts the city's diamond and tea trading infrastructure, which is why commodity traders default to DMCC over cheaper zones.
Commodity context for 2026: the reference Dubai gold rate is currently AED 518.13 per gram (24K). Live figures are on the Dubai gold rate page, bar prices by size on the gold bar page, and the routes for holding gold in the investing guide.
Share Capital and Visas
DMCC requires a minimum declared share capital of AED 50,000, which does not always have to be deposited up front depending on structure and activity, per the 2026 share-capital guide. A single residence visa costs roughly AED 3,000 to 5,000 all-in (permit, medical, Emirates ID, stamping) on top of the license and office package, and the visa quota scales with the office type shown in the table above.
DMCC Setup Steps and Timeline
A DMCC company forms in five steps, and the license typically issues within 2 to 4 weeks of a complete application.
- Reserve a company name and select up to 6 activities from the DMCC activity list.
- Submit passport copies and the application through the DMCC member portal.
- Sign the lease (flexi-desk at minimum); DMCC requires a physical or flexi office for every license.
- Pay license and registration invoices; the license typically issues within 2 to 4 weeks.
- Apply for the establishment card, then employee and partner visas against the office's visa quota.
DMCC Compared With Cheaper Free Zones
An IFZA license starts near AED 12,900 per year and a Dubai South package near AED 8,500, both well below DMCC's realistic first-year cost. DMCC's premium buys commodity-trade licensing, a stronger compliance reputation with UAE banks, and the JLT business district. Companies that only need a general trading or consultancy license with 0 to 2 visas usually pay less at IFZA or Dubai South; companies dealing in gold, diamonds, tea, or crypto-assets usually need DMCC's sector infrastructure.