WhatsApp quoteA mainland company in Dubai can hold a mainland office, hire staff under MOHRE contracts and register with the Chamber of Commerce for tenders. GoldenKey helps founders compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. GoldenKey has Dutch customers from Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, and our consultants understand the documents issued in Netherlands and how to attest them for the UAE. The most common businesses Dutch nationals open through GoldenKey are in logistics, agri-tech, water technology and trading, although Dubai supports almost any activity.
Why Dubai
In short, 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. Among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, and that is why local service businesses gravitate here. From day one, many Dutch company owners run Dubai companies alongside an existing business in Netherlands, using the UAE entity for international invoicing and regional sales.
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. Nothing is submitted for Dubai mainland company formation for Dutch nationals until you have reviewed and approved it.
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
After the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full file with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Your portal shows the status of this step for Dubai mainland company formation for Dutch nationals in real time.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Just as important, the Dubai mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start.
Documents required
Importantly, for Dubai mainland company formation for Dutch nationals the licensing authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- A police clearance certificate from Netherlands if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
Pricing
Use the table below to compare packages for Dubai mainland company formation for Dutch nationals; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. Put simply, pricing for Dubai mainland company formation for Dutch nationals depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
- 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 Dubai mainland company formation for Dutch nationals and makes international pricing simple. English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies Dubai mainland company formation for Dutch nationals for international founders.
Why GoldenKey
As we tell every client, our quotations for Dubai mainland company formation for Dutch nationals list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with Dubai mainland company formation for Dutch nationals, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. From day one, our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for Dubai mainland company formation for Dutch nationals happen the same day they are ready.
Message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for Dubai mainland company formation for Dutch nationals, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Are Dubai mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Yes, it can. 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 long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
With documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in most cases 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?
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 Dutch citizen own 100% of a company in Dubai?
It can. Dutch nationals can own the full share capital of a Dubai company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Do Dutch nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No. You can apply for the licence from Netherlands with scanned documents, and the investor UAE residence visa is handled afterwards.
