WhatsApp quoteImportantly, 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. GoldenKey helps company owners compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. The most common businesses Portuguese nationals open through GoldenKey are in technology, hospitality, engineering and renewable energy, although Dubai supports almost any activity. As a rule, brokerage is a regulated mainland activity. In Dubai the company and each agent must be registered with RERA, and brokers sit a Dubai Real Estate Institute exam. Free zone licences cannot broker mainland property.
Why Dubai
On the ground, 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. Dubai hosts the region's largest airport, port and exhibition centre.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
In our experience, 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. Your portal shows the status of this step for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Portuguese founder in real time.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and obtains sector approvals where needed.
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. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Portuguese founder.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
As we tell every client, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas.
Documents required
In short, the document list for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Portuguese founder is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- 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 bank statement from your Portugal bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
Pricing
As a rule, use the table below to compare packages for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Portuguese founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. Put simply, pricing for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Portuguese 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
Banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Portuguese founder predictable. English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Portuguese founder for international founders.
Why GoldenKey
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 Portuguese founder. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Portuguese founder for traders, consultants, tech company owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves fast. Our quotations for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Portuguese founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything.
Crucially, message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Portuguese founder, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
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 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
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 a Dubai mainland company trade in other emirates?
Yes. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
Is real estate brokerage allowed in Dubai?
Absolutely. Portuguese nationals 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.
Can a Portuguese citizen own 100% of a company in Dubai?
It can. Portuguese nationals can own the full share capital of a Dubai company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
