WhatsApp quoteA Dubai mainland licence, issued 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. In short, choosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. 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 released. Germans are a well-organised business community with a German Emirati Joint Council and hundreds of Mittelstand subsidiaries, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see German applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Why Dubai
Among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, and for that reason local service businesses gravitate here. Businesses that benefit most from Dubai mainland licensing include retail, restaurants, contracting, real estate brokerage and consulting with government clients, because they serve customers on site across the emirate.
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.
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. Nothing is submitted for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a German founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
In our experience, after the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full submission with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
As a rule, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a German founder is audit-ready.
Documents required
From day one, gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a German founder.
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- A passport granted by Germany with at least six months' validity
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
Pricing
In short, use the table below to compare packages for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a German founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. Pricing for opening a real estate brokerage 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.
- 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
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 German founder no longer requires a local partner. The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many business owners choose it as a base for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a German founder.
Why GoldenKey
As a rule, our quotations for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a German 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 real estate brokerage in the UAE as a German founder. As a rule, most of our Dubai customers come to us through referrals from other entrepreneurs, which is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing.
Book a call with GoldenKey and we will confirm your eligibility, your costs and your next steps for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a German founder in a single conversation.
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.
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
Mainland companies can trade directly with any UAE customer and take government contracts; free zone companies have lower costs and customs benefits but trade with the mainland through distributors. GoldenKey compares both for your specific activity.
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
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.
Which licence type covers real estate brokerage?
Just as important, real Estate Brokerage is classified as a commercial activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
Is real estate brokerage allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Germans can own 100% of a real estate brokerage in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
