Should I choose mainland, free zone or offshore?

Start with your customers and activities. Mainland suits businesses trading directly in the UAE, free zones suit international trade and services, and offshore suits holding and international structures. We compare all three against your plans.

Can I own 100% of my UAE company as a German national?

Free zone and offshore companies allow full foreign ownership, and most mainland activities now do too. Some regulated or strategic activities carry conditions, so we confirm the position for your activity before you apply.

Can a free zone company trade with customers in the UAE?

Free zone companies mainly operate within their zone and internationally. Selling directly to mainland customers usually needs an additional route, such as a distributor or a separate licence. We explain the options for your activity.

Do I need an office in the UAE?

Mainland licences generally require a registered business address, many free zones offer flexi-desk packages, and offshore companies use a registered agent instead. We help you choose an arrangement that suits your route.

How much will my UAE company setup cost?

Costs depend on the route, emirate, licence, activities, structure and office. We provide an itemised proposal that separates government fees from our professional fees, so you know what is included before you proceed.

Can my existing German company own the UAE company?

A company can often be a shareholder or open a branch, but the available route and the corporate documents required depend on your jurisdiction and activity. Tell us your structure and we will confirm the options.

Does setting up a company give me a UAE residence visa?

Company formation and residency are separate matters. Mainland and free zone companies can support visa applications, offshore companies generally cannot, and eligibility and approval remain decisions for the relevant authorities.

Will PRO Hub advise on my German tax position?

No. This service covers company setup coordination and does not include advice on your German tax position or cross-border legal obligations. Discuss those matters with appropriately qualified advisers in Germany and the UAE.

GermanyUAE

UAE business setup for German entrepreneurs

Set up your UAE company from Germany with PRO Hub Business Services. We help you choose between mainland, free zone and offshore options, then handle licensing, documents and office arrangements until your company is ready to operate.

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From your first enquiry to licence issuance, a dedicated consultant coordinates the agreed steps and explains what happens next.
Transparent pricing, no hidden costs, and a clearly agreed scope.

Germany

United Arab Emirates

Mainland · Free zone · Offshore

Transparent pricingItemised proposal, no hidden costs

MainlandTrade directly with customers across the UAE.
Free zoneFlexible packages for international business.
OffshoreHolding and international structures.
Transparent pricingItemised fees and a clearly agreed scope.

Your UAE presence

Give your UAE expansion a defined operating base

Your UAE company should serve a clear business purpose, whether that is selling to local customers, coordinating regional operations, or holding international interests. We start with those objectives and match them to the right setup route.

For a Germany-based business, planning should connect the UAE licence, office and staffing needs with your existing operations. We explain the work involved and help you prepare a staged plan before you commit.

The right structure depends on your activities and operating requirements. Consider it alongside independent advice on your German and UAE legal and tax obligations.

Common reasons German businesses set up in the UAE:

01Building a local base for UAE customers and partners.
02Coordinating regional business development from Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
03Running international trade or services through a free zone.
04Holding shares or assets through an offshore structure.

Setup options

Mainland, free zone or offshore: choose the right route

The UAE offers three main ways to set up a company. Each has its own licensing authority, permissions and office rules. We compare them against your business model so you choose on the facts, not on package price alone.

Trade across the UAE01

Mainland company

Licensed by the economic development authority of the emirate, such as ADDED in Abu Dhabi or DET in Dubai, a mainland company can serve customers anywhere in the UAE.

Direct access to the UAE market
Full foreign ownership in most activities
Can bid for government tenders, subject to their terms
A registered business address is generally required

Often suitsGerman businesses that want to sell locally, hire in the UAE or work with government clients.

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Built for international business02

Free zone company

Licensed by a free zone authority in a dedicated business district, with packages designed for international trade, services and startups.

Full foreign ownership
Flexible office packages, from flexi-desk upward
Permitted activities and benefits vary by zone
Trading with mainland customers usually needs an additional route

Often suitsConsultants, e-commerce businesses, startups and international traders.

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International finance and holding structures.

Holding and international03

Offshore company

Registered with an offshore registry, such as RAK ICC, for activity outside the UAE. Often used to hold shares or assets and to manage international business.

No UAE office; a registered agent is appointed
Cannot trade within the UAE
Residence visas are generally not available
Suited to holding and international structures

Often suitsHolding companies, asset holding and international trading structures.

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Compare	Mainland	Free zone	Offshore
Licensed by	The emirate's economic development authority	The relevant free zone authority	An offshore registry
Trading in the UAE	Directly with customers across the UAE	Within the zone and internationally; mainland trade usually needs an extra route	Not permitted
Foreign ownership	Full ownership in most activities	Full ownership	Full ownership
Office	Registered business address generally required	Flexi-desk to full office, depending on the package	No UAE office; registered agent
Residence visas	Linked to premises and approvals	Linked to the package and premises	Generally not available
Often chosen for	Local trading, services, contracting and government work	International trade, consulting, e-commerce and startups	Holding companies and international trade

This comparison is a general guide. Permitted activities, office rules and visa options vary by emirate, free zone and registry, and we confirm the position for your activity before you apply.

What we do

How PRO Hub sets up your UAE company

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Company formation and structure

We take you from first enquiry to a licensed company. That includes confirming your activity, choosing the jurisdiction and legal structure, reserving your trade name, and coordinating each application step with the authority.

Structures range from a limited liability company or sole establishment to a free zone company or a branch of an existing German company. We explain which fits before you commit.

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Abu Dhabi business setup

Build your Abu Dhabi presence on the mainland or in one of the emirate's free zones. We assess the options, prepare your registration file, and coordinate the administrative steps for your chosen route.

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Dubai company formation

Compare Dubai mainland and free zone options against your activity and expansion plans. We coordinate licensing documents and explain the next steps for your selected structure.

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Trade licence and activity selection

Your licence should match the activities you will actually carry out. We map your plans to the right licence category, whether commercial, professional or industrial, and flag any sector-specific approvals early.

That avoids delays caused by an incorrect activity or a missing approval later in the process.

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Office and registered address

Office needs differ by route, from a flexi-desk in a free zone to a leased office on the mainland. We help you choose an arrangement that suits your licence and coordinate the tenancy documents.

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After your licence is issued

Setting up the company is the first milestone. Once your licence is issued, we can continue with the practical steps that follow.

Within the agreed scope, we can help with:

Corporate bank account opening guidance.
Investor and employee visa documentation.
Establishment card and labour registrations.
Ongoing PRO support for renewals and government transactions.

Banking, visa and residency decisions remain with the relevant banks and authorities. Company formation does not by itself establish eligibility for a visa or Golden Visa.

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Documents

Prepare your documents from Germany

Your checklist depends on your setup route, shareholders and legal structure. Because your documents originate in Germany, we also identify any translation, legalisation or attestation steps to confirm with the receiving authority before you arrange processing.

This is a preparation guide, not a complete list. The authority may request additional or updated documents, and we confirm the requirements for your structure before you proceed.

Typically discussed at the start:

01Passport copies for shareholders and the appointed manager.
02Proposed trade names and a description of your business activities.
03Shareholder and management details for the company's constitutional documents.
04Corporate documents and authorisations if a German company will be a shareholder.
05A power of attorney for anyone signing on your behalf.
06Office or tenancy details, where your route requires them.
07Any sector-specific approvals your activity may require.

How it works

Start from Germany with a clear setup plan

01
Define your business activity
Tell us what you plan to sell, who your customers are, and how the UAE company relates to your German business.
02
Choose your route
We compare mainland, free zone and offshore options and agree a scope with an itemised proposal.
03
Prepare your documentation
We check trade names, prepare your company documents, and coordinate translation and attestation requirements.
04
Submit and follow up
We manage the agreed applications and authority requests. Approvals and timings remain subject to the authority.
05
Organise post-setup administration
After licence issuance, we coordinate the agreed banking guidance, visa steps and ongoing PRO support.

PRO Hub Business Services office reception.

Dedicated consultant

Dedicated support

Know who manages your file

You work with a dedicated consultant on documentation, submissions and follow-up. We explain what is included in the agreed service and provide an itemised breakdown of government and professional fees before proceeding.

Our support can continue beyond incorporation through licence renewals, visa administration and recurring PRO tasks, with a scope that reflects the needs of your UAE operation.

PRO Hub Business Services is an independent private consultancy. We are not affiliated with any UAE government authority. Licensing, residency, and banking decisions remain with the relevant authorities and institutions.

FAQ Directory

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about setting up your business in the UAE.

You can start the planning and document preparation from Germany. Whether later steps can be completed remotely depends on your route and the authorities involved. We confirm any attendance requirements before you arrange travel.

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Get started

Discuss your UAE setup from Germany

Tell us your business activity, preferred emirate, who will own the company, and when you want to launch. We will help you identify the right route and the documents to prepare.

Book a consultation to receive an itemised proposal with transparent pricing, no hidden costs, and a clearly agreed scope.