WhatsApp quoteA mainland company in Dubai can hold a mainland office, hire staff under MOHRE contracts and register with the Chamber of Commerce for tenders. Dubai is the UAE's commercial capital — trade anywhere in the UAE with a Dubai DET licence, and GoldenKey registers mainland companies there with the economic department week in, week out. Put simply, austrian firms supply building technology, rail and hospitality expertise to UAE projects, which gives Austrian entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Dubai licence is granted. Austrians are a small community of engineers, hospitality managers and traders, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Austrian applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Why Dubai
Dubai hosts the region's largest airport, port and exhibition centre. Government and semi-government tenders in Dubai require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
GoldenKey maps your business to the right Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) activity codes and recommends the legal form that fits ownership and liability needs.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey reserves your trade name and obtains initial approval from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), including any external approvals your activity needs. Nothing is submitted for opening a retail business in the UAE as an Austrian founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
After the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full application with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Importantly, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas. Nothing is submitted for opening a retail business in the UAE as an Austrian founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
Documents required
The document list for opening a retail business in the UAE as an Austrian founder is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- Tenancy contract (Ejari or equivalent)
- Attested parent-company supporting documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- Your current UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- A bank statement from your Austria bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
Pricing
The figures below for opening a retail business in the UAE as an Austrian founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the registrar changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Pricing for opening a retail business in the UAE as an Austrian founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
| Additional visa | AED 3,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual renewal | AED 12,000 |
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-06.
Why the UAE
English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening a retail business in the UAE as an Austrian founder for international founders. The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, and that is why so many business owners choose it as a base for opening a retail business in the UAE as an Austrian founder.
Why GoldenKey
Our quotations for opening a retail business in the UAE as an Austrian founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before a single dirham changes hands anything. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a retail business in the UAE as an Austrian founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. As a rule, we speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for opening a retail business in the UAE as an Austrian founder.
Ready to start? Send us a WhatsApp message with your nationality, the activity you have in mind and the number of visas you need, and we will reply shortly with a written quotation for opening a retail business in the UAE as an Austrian founder.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
Day to day, with paperwork and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) normally issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Dubai mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a Dubai mainland LLC. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation, and GoldenKey checks your activity before you commit.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Dubai mainland company?
You cannot convert directly, but you can open a mainland branch of your free zone company or set up a new mainland LLC and transfer the business. GoldenKey advises on the most tax-efficient route.
Is retail shop allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Austrians can own 100% of a retail business in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Can a Austrian citizen own 100% of a company in Dubai?
Yes — Austrians can own the full share capital of a Dubai company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
