WhatsApp quoteGoldenKey helps business owners compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. A Dubai mainland licence, granted by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), lets your company trade anywhere in the UAE, bid for government work and open as many branches as you need. Belgians are a compact community with strength in diamonds, logistics and pharmaceuticals, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Belgian applications every day and process them without hesitation. the Antwerp-Dubai diamond corridor is one of the world's most important, anchored by DMCC, which gives Belgian entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Dubai licence is issued.
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. 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. Your portal shows the status of this step for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Belgian founder in real time.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
Your trade name is reserved and initial approval secured from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), together with any external approvals the activity requires.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
From day one, you sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file. Nothing is submitted for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Belgian founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
The Dubai mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Belgian founder; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- A passport granted by Belgium with at least six months' validity
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- Tenancy contract for the outlet
- A police clearance certificate from Belgium if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- Educational certificates attested by the Belgium authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
Pricing
In our experience, use the table below to compare packages for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Belgian founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. In short, all prices for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Belgian founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.
- 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
In short, the UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, and that is why so many entrepreneurs choose it as a base for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Belgian founder. English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Belgian founder for international founders.
Why GoldenKey
From day one, our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Belgian founder happen the same day they are ready. 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 restaurant or café in the UAE as a Belgian founder. Our quotations for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Belgian founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything.
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 restaurant or café in the UAE as a Belgian founder.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
As we tell every client, with paperwork and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) typically issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Dubai mainland company?
As we tell every client, 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.
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.
Is restaurant & café allowed in Dubai?
Yes — Belgians can own 100% of a restaurant or café in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
How long does the process take for Belgian applicants?
Processing for Belgians follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from Belgium that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
