License Cost
Licence only · upgrade to visas anytime
AED 6,875
- Trade licence & registration
- Upgrade to visas anytime
- Company name reservation
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
FREE ZONE · SHARJAH
Shams Free Zone Company Formation for Portuguese nationals
Guide for Portuguese founders · around 8 hours from Lisbon
5–7 daysSetup time100%OwnershipUp to 10 visasVisas
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- Free ZoneLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Up to 10 visasVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- From AED 5,280Renewal cost
About Shams Free Zone
Why Shams Free Zone
From day one, shams Free Zone combines media & creative focus with the flexibility to add activities and visas later, so it suits both first-time entrepreneurs and established groups. A Shams Free Zone company can be owned entirely by foreign nationals, needs no local sponsor and can start trading internationally as soon as the licence is granted. GoldenKey has Portuguese customers from Lisbon, Porto and Faro, and our consultants understand the supporting documents issued in Portugal and how to attest them for the UAE. Portuguese nationals are a smaller community active in engineering, hospitality and technology, so the Shams Free Zone authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Portuguese applications every day and process them without hesitation.
In short, popular activities in Shams Free Zone include media, advertising, publishing, creative services and digital marketing, and most of them can be combined on a single licence. One of the reasons we recommend Shams Free Zone is its media & creative focus, which matters more than most entrepreneurs realise once the business is running. Put simply, portuguese applicants benefit from the fact that Shams Free Zone already has many Portuguese shareholders on its register, so its officers recognise Portugal documents and name formats instantly.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
On the ground, pricing for Shams Free Zone company formation for Portuguese nationals depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. Use the table below to compare packages for Shams Free Zone company formation for Portuguese nationals; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
License Plus Visa Quota
1 residence visa · 1-year licence
AED 8,475
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 1 visa eligibility
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
2 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 10,075
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 2 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
3 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 11,675
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 3 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
4 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 13,275
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 4 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
5 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 14,875
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 5 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
6 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 16,575
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 6 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
7 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 18,075
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 7 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
8 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 19,675
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 8 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
9 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 21,275
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 9 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
10 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 22,875
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 10 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
Additional visaAED 2,420
Annual renewalAED 5,280
Bank account assistanceAED 1,650
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-29.
Business activities
Explore 834 business activities in Shams Free Zone
Shams Free Zone lets you combine related activities on one licence. Search by what your business does — in English or Arabic — and quote the GK code when you ask for a quotation.
GK-SHAMS-001PrintingMediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-002Printing of newspapers, magazines and other periodicals, books and brochures, music and music manuscripts, maps, atlases, posters, advertising catalogues, prospectuses and other printed advertising, postage stamps, taxation stamps, documents of title, cheMediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-003Printing directly onto textiles, plastic, glass, metal, wood and ceramics (except silkscreen printing on textiles and wearing apparel)
the material printed is typically copyrighted.MediaGK-SHAMS-004Printing on labels or tags (lithographic, gravure printing, flexographic printing, other)MediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-005Multi dimensional printing servicesMediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-006Printing,Advertising Agencies And Event OrganizingMediaApproval requiredPopular choices · 834 activities availableAll 834 Shams Free Zone activities
Required documents
Documents required
The document list for Shams Free Zone company formation for Portuguese nationals is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A passport issued by Portugal with at least six months' validity
- Educational certificates attested by the Portugal authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activitiesif applicable
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the countryif applicable
- Attested parent-company papers and a board resolution if the shareholder is a companyif applicable
For companies
- Certificate of incorporation (attested)
- Memorandum & articles of association
- Board resolution approving the UAE company
- Passport copies of shareholders & directors
- Company profile / business plan
Our process
How Shams Free Zone works with GoldenKey
- 1
Consultation and activity selection
We confirm that your activity is available in Shams Free Zone, choose the licence type and agree the visa package and office option that match your plan.
- 2
Name reservation and initial approval
GoldenKey reserves your trade name with the Shams Free Zone authority and obtains initial approval, generally within one to two working days (Monday to Friday). Nothing is submitted for Shams Free Zone company formation for Portuguese nationals until you have reviewed and approved it.
- 3
Document submission and payment
You sign the file forms and memorandum, we submit the attested papers and the licence fee is paid to the authority.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
Importantly, shams Free Zone issues the licence, incorporation certificate and lease; from there we open the establishment card, process visas and arrange your bank introduction. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for Shams Free Zone company formation for Portuguese nationals.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Shams Free Zone. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsDo I need to visit the UAE to set up in Shams Free Zone?
In our experience, most Shams Free Zone licences can be released remotely with scanned documents and a signed power of attorney. You will need to enter the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics when your residence visa is processed.
How many visas can I get with a Shams Free Zone licence?
Visa quota is tied to the package and office you choose. Shams Free Zone packages typically start from a zero-visa option and scale to five or more visas with a physical office, and additional visas can be added later for the per-visa fee shown in our pricing.
Can I open a UAE bank account with a Shams Free Zone company?
Yes, Shams Free Zone companies open accounts with UAE banks every day. Approval depends on the bank's compliance review of your profile, business plan and documents, and GoldenKey prepares the file and introduces you to a suitable bank.
Can a Portuguese citizen own 100% of a company in Shams Free Zone?
Yes. Portuguese nationals can own the full share capital of a Shams Free Zone company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
How long does the process take for Portuguese applicants?
In short, processing for Portuguese nationals follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from Portugal that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Shams Free Zone?
Day to day, message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for Shams Free Zone company formation for Portuguese nationals, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Good to know
More about Shams Free Zone
Why the UAE
The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for Shams Free Zone company formation for Portuguese nationals and makes international pricing simple. English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies Shams Free Zone company formation for Portuguese nationals for international business owners.
Why GoldenKey
As we tell every client, you deal with one named consultant from the first call until your Shams Free Zone licence, visa and bank introduction are complete, and that consultant answers your WhatsApp messages personally. Day to day, our quotations for Shams Free Zone company formation for Portuguese nationals list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. Crucially, if a document is missing or an approval is delayed on your Shams Free Zone file, we tell you immediately and explain the fix, rather than letting the application sit.
