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. As we tell every client, since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. In short, for Austrian founders, the UAE is around 5.5 hours from Vienna, the UAE is 2 to 3 hours ahead of Austria, and English is used for all UAE business. Just as important, the most common businesses Austrians open through GoldenKey are in engineering, hospitality, construction technology and trading, although Dubai supports almost any activity.
Why Dubai
A Dubai mainland company can apply for an unlimited visa quota in proportion to its office space, which free zone packages cannot match. As we tell every client, among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, which is why local service businesses gravitate here.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
We pick the precise activity codes from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) list and settle on the legal form — normally a LLC, or a sole establishment for individual professionals. For opening a hospitality business in the UAE as an Austrian founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and obtains sector approvals where needed.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
After the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full file with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Your portal shows the status of this step for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as an Austrian founder in real time.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
With the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas.
Documents required
On the ground, gather these papers and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening a hospitality business in the UAE as an Austrian founder.
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- Educational certificates attested by the Austria authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- A passport issued by Austria with at least six months' validity
- A bank statement from your Austria bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
Pricing
Importantly, use the table below to compare packages for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as an Austrian founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. Pricing for opening a hospitality 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
For most clients, since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so opening a hospitality business in the UAE as an Austrian founder no longer requires a local partner. The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many founders choose it as a base for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as an Austrian founder.
Why GoldenKey
In practice, our quotations for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as an Austrian founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening a hospitality business in the UAE as an Austrian founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. Importantly, 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 hospitality business in the UAE as an Austrian founder.
Crucially, start your Dubai journey with a free consultation: share a few details about your business and we will map out the fastest route to your licence.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
Put simply, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as a rule issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Are Dubai mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Yes. Mainland companies pay 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000 and must register with the FTA, which GoldenKey handles as part of your setup.
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
Mainland companies can trade directly with any UAE customer and take government contracts; free zone companies have lower costs and customs benefits but trade with the mainland through distributors. GoldenKey compares both for your specific activity.
What approvals does tourism & hospitality need?
Day to day, dET holiday-home permit; DMCA for marine activities; tourism authority for tours. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
Is tourism & hospitality allowed in Dubai?
It can. Austrians can own 100% of a hospitality business in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
