Mainland, free zone or offshore: which is right for me?

Ask us to review all three against your activities and plans. Mainland suits direct UAE trade, free zones suit international business, and offshore suits holding structures. We explain the permissions and ongoing requirements of each.

Can I fully own my UAE company as a Spanish citizen?

Full foreign ownership is available in free zones, offshore, and most mainland activities. Certain regulated activities have conditions, so we check the rules for your activity before you apply.

Can a free zone company sell to customers in the UAE?

Free zone companies mainly trade within their zone and internationally. Selling to mainland customers usually needs an additional arrangement, which we explain for your activity.

Can my Spanish company participate in the setup?

Tell us whether your Spanish company would be a shareholder or you want to explore a branch. We outline the options and corporate documents, which must be confirmed for your jurisdiction and activity.

How much will UAE company formation cost?

Your quote depends on the route, emirate, licence, structure, premises and services you choose. We provide an itemised proposal for the agreed government and professional fees.

How long should I plan for?

We discuss an indicative schedule after reviewing your activity, documents and route. Additional approvals or requests can slow progress, and authorities set their own processing times.

Does opening a company guarantee a UAE residence visa?

No. Company formation and residency are considered separately, and approval depends on the relevant authority. Offshore companies generally do not support residence visas.

Does this service include Spanish legal or tax advice?

No. This service does not include advice on Spanish legal obligations, tax residency or cross-border taxation. Seek independent advice from qualified professionals in Spain and the UAE.

SpainUAE

UAE business setup for Spanish entrepreneurs

Bring your UAE business plans into focus with PRO Hub Business Services. We set up your company from Spain on the mainland, in a free zone or offshore, covering licensing documents, premises and every authority submission.

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Tell us what you intend to do, where you want to operate, and how your UAE venture connects with your business in Spain. We organise the steps from your document checklist to licence issuance.
Discuss your requirements and receive a personalised proposal with transparent pricing, no hidden costs, and a clearly agreed scope.

Spain

United Arab Emirates

Mainland · Free zone · Offshore

Transparent pricingItemised proposal, no hidden costs

MainlandFull access to the UAE market.
Free zoneFlexible setups for global business.
OffshoreHolding and international companies.
Transparent pricingItemised fees and a clearly agreed scope.

Your UAE presence

Plan your UAE operation before choosing a package

Your company structure, licence and office should follow how you intend to work. If you are researching the UAE from Spain, the first task is to connect your commercial plans with the setup route that supports them.

Your answers point to the right route, whether mainland, free zone or offshore. We explain the proposed scope before you commit, and legal or tax questions should go to qualified advisers in Spain and the UAE.

We help you work through practical questions:

01Will you provide services, sell products, or hold investments?
02Are you starting a new company or expanding a Spanish business?
03Who will own and manage the UAE company?
04Will your customers be in the UAE or international?
05Do you need premises and visas for yourself or staff?

Setup options

Find the setup route that fits your business

Each UAE setup route comes with its own licensing authority, trading permissions and office rules. Comparing them early saves time and cost later. Here is a side-by-side view.

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

Explore mainland setup

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.

Explore offshore setup

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 is a general guide. The permissions, office requirements and visa options for your activity depend on the emirate, free zone or registry, and we confirm them before you apply.

What we do

Company formation and business support in the UAE

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UAE company registration

We help you confirm your activity, pick a jurisdiction and legal structure, reserve a trade name, and prepare the application, then follow it through to licence issuance.

If your Spanish company will take part, tell us how the two businesses should relate. We identify the corporate documents to review, while specialist advice stays with your legal and tax advisers.

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Abu Dhabi business setup

For an Abu Dhabi base, we compare the mainland and the emirate's free zones, organise a plan around your activity and premises, and coordinate the application documents.

Explore Abu Dhabi business setup

Dubai business setup

If your customers and team will be in Dubai, we review mainland and free zone options for your activity and prepare the licence application and supporting documents.

Explore Dubai business setup

Trade licensing and application paperwork

A trade licence sets out what your company is allowed to do. We organise the information needed to choose suitable licensing options, prepare the application materials, and coordinate any requests for more documents.

Before submission, we clarify any activity-specific approvals that need to be confirmed.

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Office and registered address

Premises need to match your licence and plans. We coordinate office, flexi-desk or registered address options and check each against your chosen route.

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Support once your company is licensed

After registration, your business still needs banking, visas and regular paperwork. We offer practical support for the next stage within the agreed scope.

This can include:

Guidance on corporate bank account opening.
Visa documentation for owners and employees.
Establishment card and labour registrations.
PRO assistance with renewals and government transactions.

Company registration does not guarantee residency or Golden Visa eligibility. Banks and authorities assess each application under their own requirements.

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Documents

Prepare your company documents from Spain

Requirements vary with your route, emirate, structure and shareholders. We provide a tailored checklist and coordinate confirmation of any translation, legalisation or attestation before you arrange submission.

This is a preparation guide, not a complete list for every application. Share your proposed structure so we can identify the documents to confirm.

Items to discuss may include:

01Identity documents for proposed shareholders and managers.
02Your proposed company names and business activities.
03Shareholder and management details.
04Corporate records where a Spanish company will participate.
05Documents authorising a representative to act for a company.
06Office or registered address documentation, where applicable.
07Translation, certification or attestation requested by the authority.

How it works

Your UAE company formation journey from Spain

01
Explain your business plans
Tell us your activities, preferred emirate, shareholders and target start date.
02
Review the setup route
We compare mainland, free zone and offshore options and give you an itemised proposal.
03
Organise your documentation
You receive a tailored checklist while we coordinate preparation, trade name approval and attestation.
04
Coordinate applications
We manage the agreed submissions and follow-up. Approvals and timings remain with the authorities.
05
Arrange ongoing support
After incorporation, we help organise banking guidance, visa administration and PRO tasks.

PRO Hub Business Services office reception.

Dedicated consultant

Dedicated support

Know what your setup support includes

You work with a dedicated consultant who understands your file and explains each step. Company formation, documentation and post-licence support sit within one working relationship.

Your proposal separates government and professional fees and lists the included services. If more work is needed, we explain the scope first so you can decide with full information.

PRO Hub Business Services is an independent private consultancy. We are not affiliated with any UAE government authority, and we do not decide licensing or residency applications.

FAQ Directory

Frequently asked questions

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

Yes. Planning and document preparation can start from Spain. Whether later stages can be completed remotely depends on your route, and we confirm which steps may need attendance before you travel.

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Get started

Discuss your UAE business setup requirements

Tell us what you plan to offer, whether you already run a business in Spain, and where you want to establish your UAE presence. We will help you identify the right route and the documents to prepare.

Request a consultation to receive a clear explanation of the proposed work and an itemised quote with transparent pricing and no hidden costs.