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. 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. In short, swedes are a technology-focused community with Swedish telecom, fintech and design firms in Dubai, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Swedish applications every day and process them without hesitation. The most common businesses Swedes open through GoldenKey are in technology, telecom, design and sustainability, although Dubai supports almost any activity.
Why Dubai
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. 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 select the correct activity codes from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) list and the legal form, usually a LLC or a sole establishment.
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. Nothing is submitted for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Swedish founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
To be clear, after the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full application with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
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. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Swedish founder.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Swedish founder; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- A passport issued by Sweden with at least six months' validity
- A police clearance certificate from Sweden if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- A bank statement from your Sweden bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
Pricing
Crucially, all prices for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Swedish founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. To be clear, the figures below for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Swedish 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 2026-10-06.
Why the UAE
The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Swedish founder and makes international pricing simple. In short, 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 restaurant or café in the UAE as a Swedish founder predictable.
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 restaurant or café in the UAE as a Swedish founder. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Swedish 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 founders from more than 60 countries with opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Swedish founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
If you would like a written quotation for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Swedish founder, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
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) normally issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
For most clients, 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.
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 restaurant & café allowed in Dubai?
It can. Swedes can own 100% of a restaurant or café in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Which licence type covers restaurant & café?
In practice, restaurant & Café is classified as a commercial activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
