WhatsApp quoteSince the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection company owners used to have. Dubai 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. To be clear, typical examples of this activity include tourist car rental, long-term leasing, luxury car rental and chauffeur services, which can usually sit together on one Dubai licence. GoldenKey has Romanian customers from Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara, and our consultants understand the paperwork issued in Romania and how to attest them for the UAE.
Why Dubai
Government and semi-government tenders in Dubai require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges. 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.
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. Your portal shows the status of this step for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Romanian founder in real time.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
To be clear, 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
After the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full application with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). If the authority raises a query on opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Romanian founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
The Dubai mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Romanian founder; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- A bank statement from your Romania bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A passport issued by Romania with at least six months' validity
- Educational certificates attested by the Romania authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
Pricing
Pricing for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Romanian founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. Day to day, the figures below for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Romanian founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
- 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
The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Romanian founder and makes international pricing simple. For most clients, since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Romanian founder no longer requires a local partner.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Romanian founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves fast. Our quotations for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Romanian founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Romanian founder happen the same day they are ready.
In our experience, if you would like a written quotation for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Romanian founder, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
Are Dubai mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Yes. 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.
How much office space do I need for a Dubai mainland licence?
Crucially, 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.
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
Importantly, 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.
Is car rental & leasing allowed in Dubai?
Yes, it can. Romanians can own 100% of a car rental company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Can I combine car rental & leasing with other activities?
In most cases yes. Related activities can share one licence, while unrelated ones may need a general trading licence or a second licence.
