WhatsApp quoteSince the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. GoldenKey helps founders compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. GoldenKey has Slovenian customers from Ljubljana and Maribor, and our consultants understand the documents released in Slovenia and how to attest them for the UAE. Day to day, the most common businesses Slovenians open through GoldenKey are in pharmaceuticals, engineering, tourism and wood products, although Dubai supports almost any activity.
Why Dubai
A Dubai mainland company can apply for an unlimited visa quota in proportion to its office space, which free zone packages cannot match. 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 we tell every client, 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. If the authority raises a query on opening a fitness business in the UAE as a Slovenian founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
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.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
The memorandum of association is signed (online or before the notary), your tenancy is registered and the complete file is submitted to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Your portal shows the status of this step for opening a fitness business in the UAE as a Slovenian founder in real time.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Your Dubai mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.
Documents required
Importantly, the document list for opening a fitness business in the UAE as a Slovenian founder is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- A passport issued by Slovenia with at least six months' validity
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
Pricing
The figures below for opening a fitness business in the UAE as a Slovenian founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Put simply, use the table below to compare packages for opening a fitness business in the UAE as a Slovenian 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
Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening a fitness business in the UAE as a Slovenian founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a fitness business in the UAE as a Slovenian founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a fitness business in the UAE as a Slovenian founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries with opening a fitness business in the UAE as a Slovenian founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. Our quotations for opening a fitness business in the UAE as a Slovenian founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before a single dirham changes hands anything.
Book a call with GoldenKey and we will confirm your eligibility, your costs and your next steps for opening a fitness business in the UAE as a Slovenian founder in a single conversation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
Put simply, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as a rule issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
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.
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 fitness & sports allowed in Dubai?
It can. Slovenians can own 100% of a fitness business in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Do Slovenians need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No — You can apply for the licence from Slovenia with scanned supporting documents, and the investor residence visa is handled afterwards.
