WhatsApp quoteA 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. From day one, 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. Crucially, for Portuguese company owners, the UAE is around 8 hours from Lisbon, the UAE is 3 to 4 hours ahead of Portugal, and English is the business language in the UAE. 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 Dubai licence is granted.
Why Dubai
Dubai mainland licences are issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days. A Dubai mainland company can apply for an unlimited visa quota in proportion to its office space, which free zone packages cannot match.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
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. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening a retail business in the UAE as a Portuguese founder.
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.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
To be clear, you sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a retail business in the UAE as a Portuguese founder is audit-ready.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
In short, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas.
Documents required
Gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening a retail business in the UAE as a Portuguese founder.
- A bank statement from your Portugal bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- Attested parent-company paperwork and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
Pricing
The figures below for opening a retail business 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. Use the table below to compare packages for opening a retail business in the UAE as a Portuguese founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
- 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
In short, the dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for opening a retail business in the UAE as a Portuguese founder and makes international pricing simple. Day to day, there are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a retail business in the UAE as a Portuguese founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening a retail business in the UAE as a Portuguese founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. Our quotations for opening a retail business 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's consultants have handled opening a retail business in the UAE as a Portuguese founder for traders, consultants, tech entrepreneurs and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly.
Message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for opening a retail business in the UAE as a Portuguese founder, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Are Dubai mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Absolutely. Mainland companies pay 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000 and must register with the FTA, which GoldenKey handles as part of your setup.
Can a Dubai mainland company trade in other emirates?
Absolutely. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
Is retail shop allowed in Dubai?
Yes — Portuguese nationals can own 100% of a retail business in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Do Portuguese nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No. You can apply for the licence from Portugal with scanned documents, and the investor residence visa is processed afterwards.
