WhatsApp quoteGoldenKey helps founders compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. Choosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. In our experience, for German founders, the UAE is around 6 hours from Berlin, the UAE is 2 to 3 hours ahead of Germany, and English is the working language, and German-speaking advisers are available in Dubai. the UAE is Germany's most important trading partner in the Arab world and a regional distribution base for German industry, which gives German entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Dubai licence is issued.
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. To be clear, ejari-registered office space is required for most licence types.
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 reserves your trade name and obtains initial approval from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), including any external approvals your activity needs. Your portal shows the status of this step for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a German founder in real time.
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
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 cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a German founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
Documents required
Gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a German founder.
- Attested parent-company papers and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- Tenancy contract
- A police clearance certificate from Germany if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- A passport granted by Germany with at least six months' validity
Pricing
The figures below for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a German founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Use the table below to compare packages for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a German 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 2026-10-06.
Why the UAE
In practice, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a German founder for international founders. The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, and for that reason so many business owners choose it as a base for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a German founder.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a German founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. Our quotations for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a German founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, ahead of payment 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 cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a German founder.
Day to day, prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a German founder.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
To be clear, with documents 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.
Can a Dubai mainland company trade in other emirates?
Yes, it can. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Dubai mainland company?
Crucially, 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.
Is cleaning & facilities management allowed in Dubai?
It can. Germans can own 100% of a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Is there a double taxation agreement between Germany and the UAE?
Just as important, the UAE has double taxation agreements with more than 130 countries. Whether Germany is covered and how it applies to you depends on the current treaty position, which GoldenKey checks with a tax adviser before you rely on it.
