WhatsApp quoteIf you are torn between a UAE free zone and the UAE mainland, use the table and verdicts below, then message GoldenKey for a recommendation specific to your activity. Choosing between a UAE free zone and the UAE mainland comes down to cost, location, activity fit and how many visas you need, and this page compares all four side by side.
Greek shipowners and hospitality groups are deeply connected to the UAE market, which gives Greek entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their free zone and mainland for Greeks licence is issued. Greeks are a community concentrated in shipping, hospitality, construction and food, so the free zone and mainland for Greeks authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Greek applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Ajman Free Zone vs Dubai Mainland — example comparison
| Feature | Ajman Free Zone | Dubai Mainland |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction type | Free Zone | Mainland |
| Licence from | AED 4,808 | AED 15,000 |
| Renewal fee | on request | AED 12,000 |
| Extra visa cost | on request | AED 3,500 |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% for most activities |
| Trade with UAE mainland | Via distributor / dual licence | Yes, directly |
| Residence visas | Yes, per package | Yes, per package |
| Typical processing | 3 working days | 4 working days |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, Office Suite or Warehouse | Office, Shop or Warehouse |
| Best known for | among the most affordable in the uae, no audited accounts required and 100% foreign ownership | unrestricted uae-wide trading, government and corporate tenders and strongest brand recognition globally |
Our verdict for Greeks
Choose a UAE free zone if
your customers are outside the UAE or online, you want the lowest setup cost and you are a Greek founder who may run the business partly from Greece.
Choose the UAE mainland if
you will serve UAE customers directly, open a shop, clinic or restaurant, bid for government work or need a large visa quota for staff from Greece.
Documents from Greece
Whichever route you choose, Greeks need the following:
- A police clearance certificate from Greece if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A bank statement from your Greece bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
Why GoldenKey
In our experience, we will tell you plainly if free zone and mainland for Greeks is not the right choice for your plan and point you to a better option, even when that option costs less. GoldenKey is a licensed business setup consultancy, not a reseller, which means your free zone and mainland for Greeks application is prepared, checked and submitted by our own team. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for free zone versus mainland for Greek founders happen the same day they are ready.
Crucially, tell us about your plans for free zone versus mainland for Greek founders and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Greek citizen own 100% of a company in free zone and mainland for Greeks?
Yes. Greeks can own the full share capital of a free zone and mainland for Greeks company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Do Greeks need a UAE visa before applying for free zone and mainland for Greeks?
No. You can apply for the licence from Greece with scanned documents, and the investor residency visa is completed afterwards.
Is there a double taxation agreement between Greece and the UAE?
Yes. The UAE and Greece have a double taxation agreement, and a UAE tax residency certificate lets you claim treaty relief on qualifying income. GoldenKey can obtain the certificate once your company is established.
Can my family from Greece join me?
Once your investor visa is released you can sponsor your spouse and children, and GoldenKey processes their visas alongside yours.
