WhatsApp quoteAn IFZA Free Zone company can be owned entirely by foreign nationals, needs no local sponsor and can start trading internationally as soon as the licence is released. To be clear, founders choose IFZA Free Zone when they want a credible UAE address, fast licensing and packages that scale from a solo flexi-desk to a multi-visa office. Typical examples of this activity include SaaS platform, mobile app studio, IT outsourcing and cybersecurity consulting, which can generally sit together on one IFZA Free Zone licence. As we tell every client, portugal and the UAE have strengthened ties through tourism, aviation and renewable energy investment, which gives Portuguese entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their IFZA Free Zone licence is issued.
Why IFZA Free Zone
One of the reasons our advice is to choose IFZA Free Zone is its Dubai address, which matters more than most business owners realise once the business is running. Just as important, unlike some zones, IFZA Free Zone does not require a large paid-up capital to be blocked in a bank account before the licence is issued.
How IFZA Free Zone works with GoldenKey
Step 1Consultation and activity selection
As a rule, we confirm that your activity is available in IFZA Free Zone, choose the licence type and agree the visa package and office option that match your plan.
Step 2Name reservation and initial approval
Put simply, your trade name is reserved with the IFZA Free Zone authority and initial approval is obtained; this stage rarely takes more than two working days. For opening an IT and software company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Step 3Document submission and payment
With the forms and memorandum signed, GoldenKey lodges the attested supporting documents and settles the licence fee with the authority on your behalf.
Step 4Licence issued and next steps
Once the IFZA Free Zone licence and company paperwork are released, we move immediately to the immigration file, residence visas and the bank meeting. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening an IT and software company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder is audit-ready.
Documents required
Gather these papers and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening an IT and software company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder.
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- A police clearance certificate from Portugal if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- Attested parent-company supporting documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A bank statement from your Portugal bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
Pricing
Just as important, all prices for opening an IT and software company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. The figures below for opening an IT and software company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
Pricing available on request — message us for a written quotation.
Why the UAE
The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many founders choose it as a base for opening an IT and software company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening an IT and software company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
Our quotations for opening an IT and software company in the UAE as a Portuguese 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 entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries with opening an IT and software company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening an IT and software company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder happen the same day they are ready.
Book a call with GoldenKey and we will confirm your eligibility, your costs and your next steps for opening an IT and software company in the UAE as a Portuguese founder in a single conversation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the IFZA Free Zone licence take?
Day to day, once your documents are complete, the authority in most cases issues the licence within 5 business days. Visas and bank account opening follow afterwards.
Do I need to visit the UAE to set up in IFZA Free Zone?
As we tell every client, most IFZA Free Zone licences can be issued remotely with scanned paperwork and a signed power of attorney. You will need to enter the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics when your residency visa is processed.
What is the difference between an FZE and an FZCO in IFZA Free Zone?
An FZE has one shareholder and an FZCO has two or more. Both offer limited liability and 100% foreign ownership, and the fees in IFZA Free Zone are typically the same.
Is it & software allowed in IFZA Free Zone?
Yes — Portuguese nationals can own 100% of an IT and software company in the UAE. {brand} recommends IFZA Free Zone for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
How long does the process take for Portuguese applicants?
Processing for Portuguese nationals follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from Portugal that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
