WhatsApp quoteDubai is the UAE's commercial capital — trade anywhere in the UAE with a Dubai DET licence, and GoldenKey registers mainland companies there with the economic department week in, week out. A Dubai mainland licence, granted 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. To be clear, dutch nationals are an active community in logistics, water, agriculture technology and trading, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Dutch applications every day and process them without hesitation. Typical examples of this activity include corporate legal consultancy, contract drafting, compliance advisory and arbitration support, which can nine times out of ten sit together on one Dubai licence.
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. As we tell every client, 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
GoldenKey maps your business to the right Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) activity codes and recommends the legal form that fits ownership and liability needs. If the authority raises a query on opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Dutch founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
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.
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. For opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Dutch founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
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.
Documents required
The document list for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Dutch founder is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- A police clearance certificate from Netherlands if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A bank statement from your Netherlands bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- Educational certificates attested by the Netherlands authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- Attested law degree
Pricing
All prices for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Dutch founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. Pricing for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Dutch 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 2026-10-07.
Why the UAE
Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Dutch founder no longer requires a local partner. English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Dutch founder for international company owners.
Why GoldenKey
In short, because GoldenKey works with the licensing authority, the immigration department and the banks every single week, we know exactly which supporting documents each of them will ask for on a Dubai file. 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 legal consultancy in the UAE as a Dutch founder. To be clear, most of our Dubai clients come to us through referrals from other founders, and for that reason we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing.
Tell us about your plans for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Dutch founder and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
On the ground, 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.
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.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Dubai mainland company?
As we tell every client, you cannot convert directly, but you can open a mainland branch of your free zone company or set up a new mainland LLC and transfer the business. GoldenKey advises on the most tax-efficient route.
Is legal consultancy allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Dutch nationals can own 100% of a legal consultancy in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Which licence type covers legal consultancy?
Legal Consultancy is classified as a professional activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
