WhatsApp quoteSince the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. A 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. To be clear, romanian IT talent and construction firms are well represented in Dubai, which gives Romanian entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Dubai licence is issued. Crucially, romanians are a large community working in hospitality, aviation, construction and IT, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Romanian applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Why Dubai
Dubai mainland licences are granted by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days. 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
As a rule, 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.
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. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a retail business in the UAE as a Romanian founder is audit-ready.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
On the ground, you sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
As we tell every client, the Dubai mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a retail business in the UAE as a Romanian founder is audit-ready.
Documents required
For opening a retail business in the UAE as a Romanian founder the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- A bank statement from your Romania bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A police clearance certificate from Romania if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- A passport issued by Romania with at least six months' validity
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- Educational certificates attested by the Romania authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
Pricing
The figures below for opening a retail business in the UAE as a Romanian founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the licensing authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Just as important, use the table below to compare packages for opening a retail business in the UAE as a Romanian 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 2026-10-06.
Why the UAE
Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so opening a retail business in the UAE as a Romanian founder no longer requires a local partner. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a retail business in the UAE as a Romanian founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
Our quotations for opening a retail business 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 retail business in the UAE as a Romanian founder happen the same day they are ready. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries with opening a retail business in the UAE as a Romanian founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
In practice, prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss opening a retail business in the UAE as a Romanian founder.
Frequently asked questions
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.
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
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.
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
With paperwork and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) typically issues the licence within 4 business days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Is retail shop allowed in Dubai?
It can. Romanians can own 100% of a retail business in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
What approvals does retail shop need?
Municipality signage and fit-out, mall management for mall units. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
