When did Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025 take effect?

15 October 2025 per Gibson Dunn and Norton Rose Fulbright. Clyde & Co states 15 November 2025. Several provisions are phased over 12-24 months.

Company Registration in DIFC Innovation Hub

Government Fee

from 14 560 AED

Processing time

from 10 business days

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Dubai

DIFC Innovation Hub is a leading innovation center located within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), one of the largest financial hubs in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. DIFC Innovation Hub attracts startups, technology companies, and investors from around the globe, offering unique opportunities for business development and the implementation of cutting-edge solutions in the industry. DIFC Innovation Hub provides an advanced business ecosystem for startups and companies in the fields of FinTech, InsurTech, RegTech, and Islamic FinTech. The center not only supports innovation through acceleration programs, venture capital, and access to investments but also fosters the development of future technologies and breakthrough solutions. As the largest innovation center in the region, DIFC Innovation Hub offers support at every stage of startup growth — from the initial idea to scaling and entering international markets. Furthermore, the center actively collaborates with global corporations and financial institutions, giving startups access to strategic partnerships and expansion opportunities. Companies registered within DIFC Innovation Hub are permitted to conduct business within the DIFC and beyond the UAE. DIFC Innovation Hub issues the following types of business licenses: AI License Innovation License Innovation Holding Structure License Innovation Testing License With strong support for startups, international status, and cutting-edge technologies, DIFC Innovation Hub creates ideal conditions for innovative and technology-driven companies looking to achieve rapid growth, scale their operations, and successfully expand into global markets.

What you get:

Global Recognition
Access to Local and Global Markets
Strategic Location
Remote Company Registration
Full Profit Control
Wide Range of Business Activities
English Common Law-based Legal System
Financial Regulation
Business Ecosystem

About DIFC Innovation Hub

DIFC Innovation Hub is a leading innovation center located within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), one of the largest financial hubs in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. DIFC Innovation Hub attracts startups, technology companies, and investors from around the globe, offering unique opportunities for business development and the implementation of cutting-edge solutions in the industry.

DIFC Innovation Hub provides an advanced business ecosystem for startups and companies in the fields of FinTech, InsurTech, RegTech, and Islamic FinTech. The center not only supports innovation through acceleration programs, venture capital, and access to investments but also fosters the development of future technologies and breakthrough solutions. As the largest innovation center in the region, DIFC Innovation Hub offers support at every stage of startup growth — from the initial idea to scaling and entering international markets. Furthermore, the center actively collaborates with global corporations and financial institutions, giving startups access to strategic partnerships and expansion opportunities. Companies registered within DIFC Innovation Hub are permitted to conduct business within the DIFC and beyond the UAE.

DIFC Innovation Hub issues the following types of business licenses:

AI License
Innovation License
Innovation Holding Structure License
Innovation Testing License

With strong support for startups, international status, and cutting-edge technologies, DIFC Innovation Hub creates ideal conditions for innovative and technology-driven companies looking to achieve rapid growth, scale their operations, and successfully expand into global markets.

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We offer products DIFC Innovation Hub

Company setup
Services related to the establishment of a new company
Service
Visa Obtaining
Assistance with filling out documents or turnkey visa obtaining services. The services includes various types of resident visas. Tourist and transit visas are not included
Service

Suitable Targets

Local Business

Company registration for conducting business that requires a local presence in the UAE.

International Business

Company registration for conducting business both within specific jurisdictions and outside the UAE, including international wholesale trade and the provision of services at a global level.

Regional Representation

Establishing permanent establishments or subsidiaries to promote interests and coordinate operations in the Middle Eastern market.

Popular Business Fields

Information Technology & Communication
01
Professional services
02
Finance, Banking & Insurance
03
Education & Training
04
Automotive, Machinery & Equipment
05
Media, Marketing & Publishing
06

DIFC Innovation Hub Offices and Commercial Premises

1/5

Coworking

A workspace in a coworking with access during working hours. Located in DIFC Innovation Hub at Gate Avenue Flexi desk Dedicated desk  Closed offices

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Offices

Serviced OfficeFully equipped offices available in 6 DIFC business centers, with a variety of configurations ranging from compact workspaces to larger areas of up to 600 sq. ft. DIFC business centers offer serviced offices with IT support, 24/7 security, and free parking. Shell & CoreOffices starting from 1,000 sq. ft., located in Gate District or Gate Village buildings. Exclusively Fitted OfficeOffices ranging from 100 to 1,500 sq. ft., specifically equipped by DIFC Investments Ltd.

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Business Spaces

Specialized corporate spaces or business centers designed for business networking and corporate events, including offices, meeting rooms, training rooms, conference halls, and event spaces Meeting Rooms Event Spaces Indoor Venues: DIFC Conference Centre, East and West Wing, Promotional Stands Outdoor Venues: Waterfall, Under the gate, The Greenery, Gate Steps

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Commercial Premises

Business-designated areas: retail spaces in business centers, specialized premises, standalone buildings, and other commercial facilities Gate Avenue – DIFC’s main retail and pedestrian zone, bringing together restaurants, grocery stores, boutiques, pharmacies, beauty salons, fitness and wellness centers. Gate District – a business cluster with commercial spaces for cafés, bakeries, pharmacies, and service points integrated into the DIFC corporate environment. Gate Village – an art and lifestyle district combining art galleries, fine dining restaurants, concept stores, and cultural venues. Business Centers The Gate Building – an architectural symbol of DIFC and headquarters of regulators and governing entities. Features office spaces, art venues, and viewing galleries. Gate District – a business cluster surrounding The Gate, consisting of multiple towers. Includes corporate lobbies and retail galleries on the lower levels. Gate Village – a lifestyle area hosting family offices, investment firms, and cultural institutions. Includes galleries, fine dining restaurants, and boutiques. Gate Avenue – an extended retail and business promenade connecting DIFC’s key buildings. Includes office blocks, shops, restaurants, fitness and wellness centers. Central Park Towers – a mixed-use office and residential complex. Hosts corporate headquarters, office spaces, and high-end apartments. The Exchange (Exchange Square) – a modern building designed for legal, financial, and professional services firms.

Requirements for Legal Entities Names

Must not violate the country laws or contain words that are obscene, indecent or generally offensive
Must not contain the names of Allah, Buddha or God, or any other religious terminology
Must not infringe any third party's intellectual property rights
Must not be identical or similar to local/global brands or registered trademarks
Must not contain geographical names, such as the names of emirates, cities, countries and other landmarks
Must not contain the names of local/international religious, political or governmental organizations

Authorized capital requirements

There is no minimum share capital requirement for DIFC non-financial companies.

Tax Regime and Profit Management

Value Added Tax (VAT)

Since January 1, 2018, the UAE has implemented a VAT rate of 5%, which applies to most goods and services and is charged to companies operating within the country, except for those registered in designated zones.
A Designated Zone is a territory within a free zone that is treated as outside the UAE for tax purposes, allowing goods to be exempt from taxation, provided certain criteria are met. The main taxation rules in Designated Zones are as follows:

The Designated Zones are listed in the Cabinet Decision to Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017 on Value Added Tax (VAT).
Goods moved between or within Designated Zones are not subject to tax.
The export and import of goods between a Designated Zone and a foreign company are also not subject to tax.

For local companies and those registered in Non-Designated Zones (free zones not included in the Designated Zones list), the standard tax rules set forth in the Federal Decree-Law on VAT apply.

Companies with an annual turnover exceeding AED 375,000 are required to register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) as VAT taxpayers.
Companies with a turnover between AED 187,500 and AED 375,000 may register on a voluntary basis.
Companies can offset VAT paid on purchases of goods and services (input VAT) against the VAT they collect on sales (output VAT), shifting the tax burden to the final consumer.
Some goods and services may be exempt from VAT or taxed at a 0% rate, such as international transportation, educational, and medical services.

Corporate Tax

As of June 1, 2023, the UAE has introduced a corporate tax at a rate of 9%, levied on the taxable net profit of companies with income exceeding AED 375,000.
A 0% rate is applied to taxable income not exceeding AED 375,000.
Charitable, non-profit organizations and medical institutions are fully exempt from corporate tax.

Excise Tax

Since October 1, 2017, the UAE has introduced an excise tax aimed at reducing the consumption of harmful products and funding healthcare initiatives. The tax applies to alcohol, tobacco products, and beverages containing added sugar, including energy drinks and carbonated beverages.Excise tax rates vary depending on the product category:

50% on carbonated drinks (excluding mineral water)
100% on tobacco products
100% on energy drinks
100% on electronic smoking devices and liquids used for them
50% on products containing added sugar or sweeteners.

Companies dealing with excise goods must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), submit monthly declarations, and maintain records. Excise tax is paid upon the import, production, or release of goods for consumption in the UAE.

Customs Duties

Custom duties in the UAE are applied to most imported goods at a standard rate of 5% of the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF). Exceptions include certain categories of goods, such as medicines and food products, which may be exempt from duties or subject to a reduced rate.
Goods imported into UAE free zones are generally not subject to customs duties as long as they remain within these zones. However, when such goods are transferred to the UAE mainland, standard duties apply.

Personal Income Tax

In the UAE, personal income is not subject to taxation.
UAE citizens and residents are exempt from paying taxes on their personal income, including salaries, interest, dividends, inheritances, gifts, luxury goods, and capital gains.

Local Taxes and Fees

Individual emirates may impose specific local taxes and fees in line with their economic and social needs. These taxes and fees are aimed at supporting public services and implementing infrastructure projects.