WhatsApp quoteA mainland company in Dubai can hold a mainland office, hire staff under MOHRE contracts and register with the Chamber of Commerce for tenders. Since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection entrepreneurs used to have. To be clear, italians are a growing community of designers, restaurateurs, engineers and traders, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Italian applications every day and process them without hesitation. From day one, restaurant & Café in Dubai means operating a dine-in restaurant, café, cloud kitchen or food truck, and it is licensed as a commercial activity.
Why Dubai
From day one, 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. Put simply, instant Licence lets some activities start within minutes with a one-year office exemption.
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
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. For opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as an Italian founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
For most clients, 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
For most clients, 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 restaurant or café in the UAE as an Italian founder is audit-ready.
Documents required
For opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as an Italian founder the authority asks for the following supporting documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- A police clearance certificate from Italy if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A passport issued by Italy with at least six months' validity
- Your current UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- Educational certificates attested by the Italy authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- A bank statement from your Italy bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
Pricing
In short, use the table below to compare packages for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as an Italian founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. All prices for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as an Italian founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.
- 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
Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as an Italian founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as an Italian founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped company owners from more than 60 countries with opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as an Italian founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as an Italian founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves fast. From day one, 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 restaurant or café in the UAE as an Italian founder.
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 restaurant or café in the UAE as an Italian founder.
Frequently asked questions
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 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?
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 restaurant & café allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Italians can own 100% of a restaurant or café in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
How long does the process take for Italian applicants?
Put simply, processing for Italians follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from Italy that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
