This video is a clear, practical overview of free zones in the UAE: how they work, how to choose the right one, and how free zone companies are taxed. We compare free zone, mainland and offshore companies, explain the two main company forms – the Free Zone Establishment (FZE) and the Free Zone Company (FZCO) – and look at how trade licences shape what a business may actually do. We also set out the typical costs of setting up and maintaining a free zone company.
On tax, we explain the conditions for the 0% corporate tax rate, the categories of income that do not qualify for it, and how VAT applies in designated zones. We close with what banks expect when you open and keep a corporate account in the UAE. For more depth than a video allows, our full guide to setting up a free zone company in the UAE covers the zones, company types and requirements in detail.
