Dubai Free Zones: All 15, and What Each Is Built For
Dubai has more free zones than any other emirate, and they are not variations on a theme. A commodities zone, a financial centre with its own courts, an aviation district and a technology park solve genuinely different problems.
Trade & Logistics
Moving goods. Port access, bonded storage, air cargo and re-export.
Industry & Maritime
Making things, and the land and utilities that needs.
Finance & Holding
Common law jurisdictions, funds, and structuring vehicles.
Technology & Research
R&D, engineering and the clusters built around them.
General Business
Consultancy, trading and professional services.
Regulated & Specialist
Sector regulators and zones with their own licensing regime.
Compare all 15 at a glance
Establishment dates and licensing authorities are taken from the Ministry of Economy & Tourism registrar records. Fees are not listed here because every authority changes them through the year — we confirm those in writing.
| Free zone | Est. | Licensing authority | Built for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | — | IFZA | Consultancy and professional services |
| Meydan Free Zone | 2009 | Meydan Free Zone | Flexi-desk consultancies and startups |
| DMCC | 2002 | DMCC Authority | Commodities and international trade |
| JAFZA | 1980 | DP World | Sea freight, bonded warehousing, industrial land |
| DAFZA | 1996 | DIEZ | High-value, time-sensitive air cargo |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | 2005 | DIEZ | Technology, electronics and R&D |
| Dubai South | 2006 | Dubai Aviation City Corp | Aviation services and MRO |
| DIFC | 2004 | DIFC Authority | Financial services under English common law |
| Dubai Development Authority | 2000 | DDA | Internet City, Media City, d3 and 7 more |
| Dubai CommerCity | 2021 | DIEZ | E-commerce fulfilment |
| Dubai Healthcare City | 2002 | DHCA | Clinics, licensed facility and clinicians |
| DWTC Free Zone | 2015 | DWTC Authority | A central business district address |
| Dubai Maritime City | 2007 | DMCA | Ship repair, yachting and marine services |
| Trakhees | 2009 | PCFC | Planning and licensing across PCFC areas |
| International Humanitarian City | 2003 | IHC | Aid agencies and humanitarian logistics |
Official sources
Every establishment date, founding law and licence type on these pages is taken from the licensing authority itself or from the Ministry of Economy & Tourism registrar record for that authority. Verify anything here against the source before acting on it.
- Authority records, establishment dates and legal forms → Ministry of Economy & Tourism, company registrars in free zones
- Designated Zones for VAT, and the four qualifying criteria → Article 51(1) of the Executive Regulations, and the Cabinet Decision list. FTA legislation register
- Qualifying Free Zone Person and 0% qualifying income → Cabinet Decision No. 100 of 2023 and Ministerial Decision No. 265 of 2023. Federal Tax Authority
- Corporate tax, 9% above AED 375,000 → Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. Federal Tax Authority
Package fees are set by each authority and change through the year, so they are confirmed to you in writing rather than published here.
Not sure which zone fits?
Tell us what the business does and who pays you. We come back with the right jurisdiction, the current authority fees in writing, and an honest read on whether your income will actually qualify for 0%.