Glossary · Mainland
What Is Mainland in the UAE
A mainland company is licensed by the emirate's Department of Economic Development (DET in Dubai, ADDED in Abu Dhabi) and can do business anywhere in the UAE without zone restrictions. Since 2021 most activities allow 100% foreign ownership.
Why it matters
Why it matters when opening a company
Mainland is the only route for businesses with walk-in UAE customers — shops, restaurants, clinics — and for government contracts.
The trade-off is cost and premises: licenses start higher (from ~AED 15,665 in the snapshot) and a physical office lease is usually required for visa quotas.
Mini-FAQ
Common questions
Is a local partner required for a mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities — no, 100% foreign ownership is allowed since 2021; a small list of activities still requires a local service agent.
Which is cheaper, mainland or free zone?
Free zone, in most cases: median license AED 12,500 vs AED 15,665 in the 2026-09-05 snapshot, plus no mandatory office rent.