WhatsApp quoteIn short, since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection business owners used to have. 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. GoldenKey has French customers from Paris, Lyon and Marseille, and our consultants understand the papers issued in France and how to attest them for the UAE. Put simply, french nationals are a community of around 30,000 residents with strong presence in luxury, hospitality, aviation and energy, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see French applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Why Dubai
Dubai mainland licences are issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days. In short, 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 select the correct activity codes from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) list and the legal form, usually a LLC or a sole establishment. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a French founder is audit-ready.
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.
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. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a French founder.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Crucially, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas.
Documents required
Gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a French founder.
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- A bank statement from your France bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Your current UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- RERA or local land department approval
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
Pricing
Pricing for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a French founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. As a rule, use the table below to compare packages for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a French founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
- 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
Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a French founder no longer requires a local partner. In our experience, there are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a French founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a French founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a French founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. 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 real estate brokerage in the UAE as a French 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 real estate brokerage in the UAE as a French founder.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Dubai mainland company trade in other emirates?
It can. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
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.
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
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.
Do French nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No. You can apply for the licence from France with scanned supporting documents, and the investor residence visa is completed afterwards.
Can a French citizen own 100% of a company in Dubai?
Absolutely. French nationals can own the full share capital of a Dubai company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
