Jurisdictions
21+ free zones, compared honestly.
The matrix
Compare on the things that actually decide it.
Emirate, regulatory framework and what the zone will let you occupy. Cost is deliberately absent — every authority prices by package and revises annually, so a figure printed here would be wrong within a quarter and useless before that.
Filter by emirate
- Every free zone profiled on this site, with its emirate, what it is known for, its regulatory framework and the premises it offers.
- ADGM — Abu Dhabi Global Market ADGM — Abu Dhabi Global Market Abu Dhabi — Financial free zone — Read the ADGM — Abu Dhabi Global Market profile
- Ajman Free Zone Ajman Free Zone Ajman One of the cheapest credible routes into the UAE, and on the FTA's Designated Zones schedule for VAT Free zone — Designated Zone for VAT Themed hubs and flexi-desks through offices, warehousing, land and staff accommodation Read the Ajman Free Zone profile
- DAFZA — Dubai Airport Free Zone DAFZA — Dubai Airport Free Zone Dubai Air-freight and re-export tenants working against the Dubai International cargo terminals Free zone — a Dubai Airport Free Zone entry sits on the FTA Designated Zone schedule; confirm which address it covers Rental office space, DAFZ Industrial Park units, retail space, and business-centre and Regus desks Read the DAFZA — Dubai Airport Free Zone profile
- DIFC — Dubai International Financial Centre DIFC — Dubai International Financial Centre — — — — Read the DIFC — Dubai International Financial Centre profile
- DMCC — Dubai Multi Commodities Centre DMCC — Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Dubai — Free zone — Read the DMCC — Dubai Multi Commodities Centre profile
- Dubai Design District (d3) Dubai Design District (d3) Dubai Design, fashion and art tenants with retail frontage and a public events calendar Creative-cluster free zone — also arranges a Dubai mainland licence; not a Designated Zone for VAT Commercial offices from 700 sq ft, co-working desks and micro studios, retail units, event venues and the in5 Design labs Read the Dubai Design District (d3) profile
- Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) Dubai Clinical facilities, hospitals, medical education and research, with wellness and hospitality in Phase 2 Sector free zone with its own healthcare regulations — not a Designated Zone for VAT Leased clinical and commercial floors, freehold plots, and a lease-free commercial licence for a first year Read the Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) profile
- Dubai Internet City (DIC) Dubai Internet City (DIC) Dubai A tenant list weighted to international technology names, behind an activity gate Creative-cluster free zone — not a Designated Zone for VAT Leased offices, the Innovation Hub, business-centre suites and in5 Tech incubation space Read the Dubai Internet City (DIC) profile
- Dubai Media City (DMC) Dubai Media City (DMC) Dubai Regional offices of broadcasters, agency networks and publishers, behind a media activity list Creative-cluster free zone — not a Designated Zone for VAT Leased offices in the district's commercial buildings, business-centre suites, and a freelance permit route Read the Dubai Media City (DMC) profile
- Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) Dubai — — — Read the Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) profile
- Dubai South Free Zone Dubai South Free Zone Dubai Customs-bonded logistics and aviation around Al Maktoum International Airport Free zone — Designated Zone for VAT (aviation city) Logistics warehousing, aviation hangars, Business Park offices and flexi-desks Read the Dubai South Free Zone profile
- DUQE Free Zone, Dubai DUQE Free Zone, Dubai Dubai — Free zone — not on the FTA Designated Zones schedule as at August 2026 — Read the DUQE Free Zone, Dubai profile
- Fujairah Free Zone — FFZ, on the Gulf of Oman Fujairah Free Zone — FFZ, on the Gulf of Oman Fujairah The only UAE free zone outside the Strait of Hormuz, beside the Port of Fujairah Free zone — Designated Zone for VAT Virtual office and flexi desk through trading offices, warehouses and industrial land Read the Fujairah Free Zone — FFZ, on the Gulf of Oman profile
- IFZA — International Free Zone Authority, Dubai IFZA — International Free Zone Authority, Dubai — — — — Read the IFZA — International Free Zone Authority, Dubai profile
- JAFZA — Jebel Ali Free Zone JAFZA — Jebel Ali Free Zone — — — — Read the JAFZA — Jebel Ali Free Zone profile
- KEZAD — Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi KEZAD — Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi — — — Read the KEZAD — Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi profile
- Meydan Free Zone, Dubai Meydan Free Zone, Dubai Dubai — — — Read the Meydan Free Zone, Dubai profile
- RAKEZ — Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone RAKEZ — Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone Ras Al Khaimah — — — Read the RAKEZ — Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone profile
- SAIF Zone — Sharjah Airport International Free Zone SAIF Zone — Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Sharjah Airport-side warehousing and light manufacturing at Sharjah prices Free zone — Designated Zone for VAT Desks and offices, pre-built warehouses from 125 sqm, and land plots Read the SAIF Zone — Sharjah Airport International Free Zone profile
- SHAMS — Sharjah Media City SHAMS — Sharjah Media City — — — — Read the SHAMS — Sharjah Media City profile
- Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone — UAQ FTZ Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone — UAQ FTZ Umm Al Quwain Industrial land and warehousing at the lowest published rents in the country, and a licence in one working day Free zone — Designated Zone for VAT, at both of its sites Co-working desks, offices from 9 sqm, warehouses from 100 sqm, and industrial land from 2,500 sqm on leases to 25 years Read the Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone — UAQ FTZ profile
- No zone profiled in that emirate yet. Clear the filter to see everything.
Packages, fees and visa allocations are set by each authority and change annually. Nothing on this page is a quotation — we confirm the current position against the authority in writing before you commit.
Method
How this comparison is compiled.
Nothing here is copied from a brochure. Each profile is built from what the authority itself publishes, then checked against the federal position, then checked again against what we see filing for clients every week. Where a marketing claim and a rulebook disagree, the rulebook wins.
Re-checked against the authorities before any application is filed.
Begin with a clear conversation
Tell us what you intend to build.
A consultant will map the structure, jurisdiction, approvals and likely cost against what you actually described — not against a package.
