List of All Free Zones in the UAE

When you are looking to open a company in the UAE, you have the choice between a mainland company or a free zone company.

Freezone companies are registered in so-called "free zones" which come with benefits such as 0% corporate income tax and tax-free trading in physical goods. Free zone companies can issue visas for company owners and employees to reside and work in the UAE.

The main drawback is that free zone companies are not allowed to engage in business activities with the UAE mainland.

There are around 50 free zones operating in the UAE, and there are new ones being established all the time. Some free zones focus on certain industries (and only welcome businesses operating in those industries). Other free zones welcome any type of business.

Free zones vary greatly in terms of registration and license fees, physical location, access to infrastructure, availability of office, warehouse, and factory spaces, and the network of professionals they offer.

We are here to assist you in finding a suitable free zone, but also make sure it is fully compliant with your home country's tax system, taking into account exit taxes and transfer pricing rules.

Silicon Oasis shown here is a Dubai-based free zone focusing on the tech-sector.

Here is the list of all UAE free zones including a description on their location and activities.

1. Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ): Located next to the Abu Dhabi International Airport, ADAFZ is a hub for logistics, aviation, and freight companies.

2. Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM): ADGM is a financial free zone, providing a platform for financial services companies to operate, including banking, insurance, and asset management.

3. Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC): ADPC is a logistics and trade free zone located in Abu Dhabi, offering a platform for import/export and trade-related activities.

4. Ajman Free Zone (AFZ): Located in the emirate of Ajman, AFZ is a hub for light manufacturing, trading, and service-based companies.

5. Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZA): Located adjacent to Dubai International Airport, DAFZA is a hub for logistics, aviation, and freight companies.

6. Dubai Auto Zone: Dubai Auto Zone is a hub for the automotive industry, providing a platform for trading, logistics, and manufacturing companies.

7. Dubai CommerCity: Dubai CommerCity is a hub for e-commerce, providing a platform for companies to establish their online presence, as well as logistics and warehousing facilities.

8. Dubai Design District (d3): d3 is a hub for design and creative industries, providing a platform for innovation, creativity, and collaboration.

9. Dubai Gold and Diamond Park: Dubai Gold and Diamond Park is a hub for the jewelry industry, providing a platform for trading, manufacturing, and retail companies.

10. Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC): DHCC is a healthcare free zone, providing a platform for healthcare and medical education institutions, as well as healthcare-related companies and service providers.

11. Dubai International Academic City (DIAC): DIAC is a hub for higher education, research, and development, hosting a range of academic institutions and research centers.

12. Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC): DIFC is a financial free zone located in Dubai, offering a business-friendly regulatory environment and access to global capital markets. DIFC also provides a platform for financial services companies to operate, including banking, insurance, and asset management.

13. Dubai International Humanitarian City (DIHC): DIHC is a humanitarian aid and logistics hub, providing a platform for international relief organizations to operate and collaborate.

14. Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP): DKP is a hub for education and human resource development, providing a platform for educational institutions, training centers, and HR consulting firms.

15. Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP): DKP is a hub for education and training, providing a platform for academic institutions, training centers, and professional development companies.

16. Dubai Maritime City (DMC): DMC is a hub for the maritime industry, providing a platform for shipping, logistics, and service-based companies.

17. Dubai Media City (DMC): DMC is a hub for media and advertising companies, providing a platform for content creation, production, and distribution.

18. Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC): DMCC is a hub for commodity trading and business, providing a platform for companies to operate and collaborate.

19. Dubai Science Park (DSP): DSP is a hub for the science and technology industries, providing a platform for innovation, research, and development.

20. Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO): DSO is a hub for technology and innovation, providing a platform for tech-based companies to operate and collaborate.

21. Dubai South (formerly Dubai World Central) (DWC): Located near the new Al Maktoum International Airport, DWC is a hub for logistics, aviation, and freight companies.

22. Dubai South Business Park: Dubai South Business Park is a hub for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), providing a platform for growth and expansion.

23. Dubai Studio City (DSC): DSC is a hub for film and television production companies, providing a platform for content creation, production, and distribution.

24. Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone (DTMFZ): DTMFZ is a hub for technology and media companies, providing a platform for innovation, creativity, and collaboration.

25. Dubai Textile City: Dubai Textile City is a hub for textile and garment manufacturing, providing a platform for trading, manufacturing, and retail companies.

26. Dubai Wholesale City: Dubai Wholesale City is a hub for wholesale trading, providing a platform for companies to trade and distribute a wide range of products.

27. Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA): DWTCA is a hub for international trade and business, providing a platform for companies to exhibit, trade, and collaborate.

28. Fujairah Creative City: Fujairah Creative City is a hub for media, design, and creative industries, providing a platform for content creation, production, and distribution.

29. Fujairah Free Zone (FFZ): Located in the emirate of Fujairah, FFZ is a hub for light manufacturing, trading, and service-based companies.

30. Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZ): Located in the emirate of Sharjah, HFZ is a hub for light and heavy manufacturing, trading, and service-based companies.

31. International Media Production Zone (IMPZ): IMPZ is a hub for media and creative industries, providing a platform for content creation, production, and distribution.

32. Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA): JAFZA is one of the largest free zones in the UAE, located in Dubai, providing a platform for a wide range of industries, including logistics, manufacturing, trading, and service-based companies.

33. Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD): KIZAD is an industrial free zone located in Abu Dhabi, providing a platform for light and heavy manufacturing, trading, and service-based companies.

34. Masdar City Free Zone: Masdar City is a sustainable and green technology hub, located in Abu Dhabi, providing a platform for research and development, innovation, and technology companies.

35. Meydan Free Zone: Meydan Free Zone is a hub for the equestrian industry, providing a platform for horse racing, breeding, training, and related businesses.

36. Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ): Located in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, RAKEZ is a hub for industrial, commercial, and service-based companies.

37. Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ): RAK FTZ is a hub for light manufacturing, trading, and service-based companies, located in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

38. Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone): Located next to Sharjah International Airport, SAIF Zone is a hub for logistics, aviation, and freight companies.

39. Sharjah Healthcare City: Sharjah Healthcare City is a healthcare free zone, providing a platform for healthcare and medical education institutions, as well as healthcare-related companies and service providers.

40. Sharjah Media City (Shams): Shams is a hub for media and creative industries, providing a platform for content creation, production, and distribution.

41. Sharjah Publishing City (SPC): SPC is a hub for publishing and printing companies, providing a platform for content creation, production, and distribution.

42. Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ): SPCFZ is a hub for publishing and printing companies, providing a platform for content creation, production, and distribution.

43. Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park): SRTI Park is a hub for innovation and technology companies, providing a platform for research and development, as well as commercialization of intellectual property.

44. Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Free Zone (SRTI): SRTI is a hub for innovation and technology companies, providing a platform for research and development, as well as commercialization of intellectual property.

45. Twofour54 Abu Dhabi: Twofour54 Abu Dhabi is a media and entertainment free zone, located in Abu Dhabi, providing a platform for content creation, production, and distribution.

46. Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ): Located in the emirate of Umm Al Quwain, UAQ FTZ is a hub for light manufacturing, trading, and service-based companies.

This list may be a bit overwhelming, that's why we wrote another article comparing five of the best free zone options in the UAE.