Business licenses in Dubai.

One of the main licenses for a company in Dubai is the Commercial License. It is required if goods and products are to be bought and sold. Companies can conduct business domestically and internationally with this license, but must be based in Dubai or the United Arab Emirates. The scope varies depending on the type of company. If it is a Mainland company, the license is valid throughout the UAE. If it is a Freezone company, it is only valid in the Special Economic Zone.

Real estate agents and companies in the logistics industry, for example, work with this license. But also companies dealing with motorcycles or cars need the trading license.

It is important that business activities are carried out only with a legal license. Without a license, there is a risk of sanctions and even high fines. We are happy to help you choose the right license for your business in Dubai.

• Logistics
• Import and export
• Tourism and travel
• Intermediary activities
• Product-oriented sales (electronics, construction, stores, stores, etc.)
• Real estate
• Rental business

• all business activities require the production, manufacture or generation of physical products
• business activities require the import or export of materials or goods, etc., used in a manufacturing process
• Packaging and producing a series of new products from existing raw materials; or
• Combining two or more existing products into a single product.

• Permits from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• the Industrial Registry and
• the Ministry of Health

Besides trade and production, mainly the tourism industry is strong in Dubai. Dubai is an attractive destination for people from all walks of life. Millions of people enjoy the breathtaking beaches here every year. The special flair of Dubai fascinates the vacationers. Therefore, it is extremely lucrative to start a company in the tourism industry in Dubai. A Tourism License is required to operate hotels, restaurants and travel agencies. The same applies to car rental companies. The company must also be registered with the DED and the Department of Tourism.

There are again different types of Tourism License in Dubai.

• dealing with tourists within a city (Inbound Tour Operator License)
• licenses such as the Export Tour Operator License for organizing excursions
• the Travel Agent License for offering tours, flights, cars and hotels to customers

Today, stationary trade is no longer the only hub for the international movement of goods. More and more is shifting to the e-commerce market. The government in Dubai has also responded to this. Since 2017, the Department of Economic Development (DED) has issued a special license for Internet retailers.

Sole proprietorships and individuals can use it to sell services and products via websites. Advertising and sales via social media are also possible.

No physical office space is required for this. The e-commerce license can only be registered to a single holder. To apply for a license, a DED merchant account must be opened.

If you want to start a service-oriented business, you need a Professional License. This is a professional license. This license is often translated as a trade license. With a professional license, individuals can start a professional business. The business is based on special services or professional skills. So, with this license, the group of professionals with special skills is addressed. These can be, among others, services from the arts and crafts or artistic field.

A professional license has some advantages in terms of ownership. As a sole proprietor, one owns 100 percent of the business. Thus, one is automatically entitled to sole proprietorship. There is no need to bring in an investor under the 49/51 rule. A prerequisite for a Professional License is proof of appropriate qualifications. Furthermore, in some cases a training authorization is required.

• Dubai Media City
• Dubai Studio City
• Dubai Production City
• Dubai Knowledge Park
• Dubai Design District
• Abu Dhabi
• Fujairah Creative City

The costs and conditions for a freelance visa vary. As a rule, a freelance permit is valid for three years. In Dubai, very many activities and business fields fall under freelancing. This is similar to Germany.

Software development and database management fall under it.

Musicians, journalists and photographers count among them. Stylists and coaches also need a freelance permit to carry out their activities.

• licenses for business activities in primary and secondary schools
• special education licenses for training centers
• licenses for higher education institutions
• kindergartens and child development centers

• the confirmation of an academic plan
• inspections of the premises
• proof of the qualifications of the educational staff

Some companies want to offer and perform services in the technical field. A Professional License is not sufficient for this.

A special service license, the Technical Service License, is required.

This trade license applies to installation work, carpentry work, roofing work, painting work and similar activities. It is therefore a matter of concrete craftsmanship.

• Air conditioning, ventilation and air filtration
• Carpentry and flooring
• Concrete works
• Cleaning services for businesses
• Electrical installations and equipment
• Installation of false ceilings and light partition walls
• floor and wall tiling works
• Insulation works (contracting)
• Plastering and cladding works
• Plumbing and sanitary works
• installation of solar energy systems
• other technical services

The commercial trading license is tailored to only one product category within an industry. The General Trading License in Dubai offers business people a high degree of flexibility. Important here is primarily the possibility to constantly expand the business area. With this license it is possible to trade with several products from different industries. The General Trading License covers all goods inside and outside the UAE. Goods that require special permits are excluded. These include weapons and medical products.

With the general trading license on the mainland, one can actively participate in local trade on the UAE market.

There is no limit to the number of visas for employees. This means that as many staff as necessary can be hired. Entrepreneurs benefit from the low VAT of 5 percent. Opening a bank account including fast processing of transactions with multiple currencies is easy.

When purchasing a general trading license for the Meydan Free Zone, there are further advantages and benefits. Entrepreneurs can enjoy 0 percent VAT and 0 percent income tax.

Cryptocurrencies are becoming increasingly popular, and governments around the world need to develop strategies to regulate them. The UAE is one of the most suitable countries for cryptocurrency projects in the world.

To run a legal business with cryptocurrencies, you need to obtain a crypto license in the UAE, which can be used to provide crypto-related services to clients. The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) free zone is a perfect fit for crypto-related businesses. The DMCC crypto license guarantees the legality of your business. To obtain a license, a registered capital of EUR 15,000 is basically required for a company applicant and a detailed business plan.

There are currently no residency requirements for applying for such a license. Nowadays, a license to work with cryptocurrencies, such as "cold storage" or personal funds trading, can be obtained from the DMCC.

The fact that no income taxes are levied on cryptocurrency projects in the UAE makes this country suitably attractive for entrepreneurs.