WhatsApp quoteGoldenKey helps founders compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. Since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. For Croatian entrepreneurs, the UAE is around 5.5 hours from Zagreb, the UAE is 2 to 3 hours ahead of Croatia, and English is the business language. Importantly, the most common businesses Croatians open through GoldenKey are in hospitality, yachting, IT services and sports management, although Dubai supports almost any activity.
Why Dubai
Government and semi-government tenders in Dubai require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges. Dubai mainland licences are granted by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days (Monday to Friday).
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.
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. For opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Croatian founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
You sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Crucially, your Dubai mainland licence is granted, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Croatian founder is audit-ready.
Documents required
The document list for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Croatian founder is short, and most customers already have everything on it.
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- A bank statement from your Croatia bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A police clearance certificate from Croatia if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- Parking yard tenancy
Pricing
Use the table below to compare packages for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Croatian founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. For most clients, the figures below for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Croatian founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
- 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 2026-10-07.
Why the UAE
Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Croatian founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Croatian founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Croatian founder happen the same day they are ready. Crucially, our quotations for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Croatian founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. 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 car rental company in the UAE as a Croatian founder.
If you would like a written quotation for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Croatian founder, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Can a Dubai mainland company trade in other emirates?
Yes. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Dubai mainland company?
Put simply, 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.
What approvals does car rental & leasing need?
From day one, rTA or local traffic department. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
Is car rental & leasing allowed in Dubai?
It can. Croatians can own 100% of a car rental company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
