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 d3

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Dubai

Dubai Design District is a free economic zone (free zone) established in 2013 in the Emirate of Dubai, UAE, and is part of TECOM Group. Dubai Design District was created to support and develop creative industries such as design, fashion, art, and architecture, offering an inspiring environment for artists, designers, and startups, while bringing together leading brands and unlocking limitless opportunities for creative thinking and innovation. The free zone provides advanced infrastructure, including unique office spaces, studios, showrooms, and event venues that can be tailored to individual business needs. Dubai Design District is renowned for its cultural events, such as fashion shows, art exhibitions, and themed conferences, which bring together international brands and local talent. Businesses registered in Dubai Design District are permitted to operate both within the free zone and beyond the UAE. Dubai Design District issues the following types of business licenses: Commercial (wholesale and retail trade) Professional (provision of services) With its combination of unique architecture, advanced infrastructure, and a focus on fostering a creative community, Dubai Design District has become a hub for innovative projects in design and art. Here, companies can expand their operations using the latest technologies and resources, creating a space for creative experimentation and the successful implementation of their ideas.

What you get:

Access to Local and Global Markets
Strategic Location
Remote Company Registration
Full Profit Control
Wide Range of Business Activities
Infrastructure
Business Ecosystem

About Dubai Design District

Dubai Design District is a free economic zone (free zone) established in 2013 in the Emirate of Dubai, UAE, and is part of TECOM Group. Dubai Design District was created to support and develop creative industries such as design, fashion, art, and architecture, offering an inspiring environment for artists, designers, and startups, while bringing together leading brands and unlocking limitless opportunities for creative thinking and innovation.

The free zone provides advanced infrastructure, including unique office spaces, studios, showrooms, and event venues that can be tailored to individual business needs. Dubai Design District is renowned for its cultural events, such as fashion shows, art exhibitions, and themed conferences, which bring together international brands and local talent. Businesses registered in Dubai Design District are permitted to operate both within the free zone and beyond the UAE.

Dubai Design District issues the following types of business licenses:

Commercial (wholesale and retail trade)
Professional (provision of services)

With its combination of unique architecture, advanced infrastructure, and a focus on fostering a creative community, Dubai Design District has become a hub for innovative projects in design and art. Here, companies can expand their operations using the latest technologies and resources, creating a space for creative experimentation and the successful implementation of their ideas.

Recently searched

Sales and Marketing
Dubai Design District
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Design
Dubai Design District
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Public Relations Agency
Dubai Design District
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Showrooms
Dubai Design District
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Architectural Design
Dubai Design District
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Art Gallery
Dubai Design District
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service

We offer products d3

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.

Resident Visa

Company registration for obtaining a UAE residency visa with the right to permanent residence, opening a bank account in UAE banks, and acquiring tax residency.

Popular Business Fields

Media, Marketing & Publishing
01
Professional services
02
Household & Consumer Goods
03
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
04
Education & Training
05
Hospitality & Tourism
06

d3 Offices and Commercial Premises

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Coworking

A workspace in a coworking space with 24/7 access, high-speed internet, and pantry service. Available through daily or monthly individual memberships. Co-working Spaces Shared Desk

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Offices

Small Micro StudioOffice ranging from 177 to 185 sq.ft. with 24/7 unlimited access. Medium Micro StudioOffice ranging from 215 to 282 sq.ft. with 24/7 unlimited access. Large Micro StudioOffice ranging from 302 to 490 sq.ft. with 24/7 unlimited access. Shell & Core OfficeAn unfurnished office starting from 1,000 sq. ft. with 24/7 unlimited access.

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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 Training room Event Venues – for hosting art exhibitions, conferences, workshops, lectures, fashion shows, and other events.

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Commercial Premises

Business-designated areas: retail spaces in business centers, specialized premises, standalone buildings, and other commercial facilities. Commercial Spaces – LEED Certified & Grade-A buildings, basement storage facilities, and a wide selection of spaces for retail, F&B, wellness services. Retail Space – Restaurants and cafés, shops, showrooms, galleries, gyms and fitness centers, beauty salons, design-led boutiques.

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Warehouses

Warehouses for storage, processing, and distribution of products. Multipurpose warehouses with ready-to-use engineering infrastructure, integrated office spaces and showrooms, the possibility of combining multiple units, and a 6×6 m sliding entrance door. The buildings meet the highest construction standards and are equipped with modern fire protection systems, internal lighting, 24/7 security, parking, and loading areas.

Land Plots

Land plots for long-term lease of 20+ years for development, commercial, and industrial use.

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Hubs

in5 DesignAn innovation hub for emerging talents in the field of design, offering creative workspace, unique prototyping and fashion labs, mentorship, workshops, and access to investors.

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

The minimum share capital required for Dubai Design District company is AED 10,000. Its contribution is optional.

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.