WhatsApp quoteTo be clear, mainland company formation in Dubai is the right choice when your customers are inside the UAE, when you need a shop, clinic or contracting classification, or when visa quota matters. A 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. Put simply, greeks are a community concentrated in shipping, hospitality, construction and food, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Greek applications every day and process them without hesitation. Greek shipowners and hospitality groups are deeply connected to the UAE market, which gives Greek entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Dubai licence is released.
Why Dubai
In our experience, popular districts for a Dubai mainland office include Business Bay, Deira, Bur Dubai, Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Al Quoz, each with different rent levels and customer footfall. 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
On the ground, 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
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. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a Greek founder is audit-ready.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
After the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full request 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. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a Greek founder.
Documents required
For opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a Greek founder the registrar asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- A passport issued by Greece with at least six months' validity
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- A police clearance certificate from Greece if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- Architect's attested degree
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
Pricing
Pricing for opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a Greek founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. In practice, all prices for opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a Greek founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing ahead of payment.
- 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
To be clear, the UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, and that is why so many founders choose it as a base for opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a Greek founder. Put simply, residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a Greek founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a Greek founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a Greek founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves without delay. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a Greek founder happen the same day they are ready.
Tell us about your plans for opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a Greek founder and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
With documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) typically issues the licence within 4 business days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
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.
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
From day one, 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.
Is architecture & design allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Greeks can own 100% of an architecture practice in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Is there a double taxation agreement between Greece and the UAE?
Yes. The UAE and Greece have a double taxation agreement, and a UAE tax residency certificate lets you claim treaty relief on qualifying income. GoldenKey can obtain the certificate once your company is established.
