WhatsApp quoteChoosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. A 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, external approvals for construction & contracting are: municipality contractor classification; civil defence for MEP work. Just as important, the most common businesses Germans open through GoldenKey are in engineering, industrial machinery, automotive and renewable energy, although Dubai supports almost any activity.
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 business days. 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
To be clear, 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.
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. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening a contracting company in the UAE as a German founder.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
In our experience, after the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full application with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
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. For opening a contracting company in the UAE as a German founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a German founder; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- Engineer's attested degree
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- Attested parent-company supporting documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A passport issued by Germany with at least six months' validity
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
Pricing
Pricing for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a German founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. For most clients, the figures below for opening a contracting 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.
- 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 2026-10-05.
Why the UAE
The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many entrepreneurs choose it as a base for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a German founder. The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a German founder and makes international pricing simple.
Why GoldenKey
In our experience, our quotations for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a German 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 contracting company in the UAE as a German founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. In short, if a document is missing or an approval is delayed on your Dubai file, we tell you immediately and explain the fix, rather than letting the request sit.
On the ground, 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 contracting company in the UAE as a German founder.
Frequently asked questions
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.
How much office space do I need for a Dubai mainland licence?
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) requires a registered tenancy for most licences. A small office or a desk in a business centre is enough for a few visas, and the visa quota increases with the floor area.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Dubai mainland company?
In short, 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 construction & contracting allowed in Dubai?
It can. Germans can own 100% of a contracting company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
What approvals does construction & contracting need?
Just as important, municipality contractor classification; civil defence for MEP work. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
