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 Science Park

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Dubai

Dubai Science Park is a free economic zone (free zone) established in 2005 in the Emirate of Dubai, UAE, and is part of TECOM Group. The purpose of Dubai Science Park is to support and develop companies working in various scientific and technological fields, including medicine, pharmaceuticals, and ecology, creating an environment conducive to growth and innovation. The free zone provides a full range of infrastructure for entrepreneurs, from state-of-the-art laboratories to specialized production facilities. Dubai Science Park has become a significant center for companies involved in advanced technology and natural sciences, offering optimal conditions for the development of high-tech solutions. Businesses registered in Dubai Science Park are permitted to operate both within the free zone and beyond the UAE. Dubai Science Park issues the following types of business licenses: Commercial (medical and pharmaceutical products activities) Professional (provision of services) Industrial (medical and pharmaceutical products activities) With its unique infrastructure and commitment to supporting scientific research and innovation, Dubai Science Park has become a leading platform for businesses in medicine, pharmaceuticals, ecology, and scientific development. The park enables companies to develop and manufacture products using state-of-the-art technologies and resources, creating significant opportunities for large-scale growth and the integration of advanced solutions.

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 Science Park

Dubai Science Park is a free economic zone (free zone) established in 2005 in the Emirate of Dubai, UAE, and is part of TECOM Group. The purpose of Dubai Science Park is to support and develop companies working in various scientific and technological fields, including medicine, pharmaceuticals, and ecology, creating an environment conducive to growth and innovation.

The free zone provides a full range of infrastructure for entrepreneurs, from state-of-the-art laboratories to specialized production facilities. Dubai Science Park has become a significant center for companies involved in advanced technology and natural sciences, offering optimal conditions for the development of high-tech solutions. Businesses registered in Dubai Science Park are permitted to operate both within the free zone and beyond the UAE.

Dubai Science Park issues the following types of business licenses:

Commercial (medical and pharmaceutical products activities)
Professional (provision of services)
Industrial (medical and pharmaceutical products activities)

With its unique infrastructure and commitment to supporting scientific research and innovation, Dubai Science Park has become a leading platform for businesses in medicine, pharmaceuticals, ecology, and scientific development. The park enables companies to develop and manufacture products using state-of-the-art technologies and resources, creating significant opportunities for large-scale growth and the integration of advanced solutions.

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Research and Development
Dubai Science Park
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Storage
Dubai Science Park
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Marketing and Sales Promotion
Dubai Science Park
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Import and Re-Export
Dubai Science Park
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Support Service
Dubai Science Park
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to service
Research and Development
Dubai Science Park
Services:
- Registering Company
Cost27 940 AED
Duration15 bus. days
Go to 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
Healthcare
02
Automotive, Machinery & Equipment
03
Professional services
04
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing
05
Chemistry & Raws
06

Science Park Offices and Commercial Premises

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Coworking

Hot DeskA workspace in a coworking with unlimited access during working hours Open QuartersA workspace in D/Quarters with unlimited 24/7 access Desk QuartersA dedicated workspace in D/Quarters with unlimited 24/7 access

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Dedicated Offices

Office QuartersOffice in D/Quarters with unlimited 24/7 access

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Offices

Private offices: Executive OfficeA private office with unlimited access during working hours Fitted OfficeFitted office starting from 1,000 sq.m with unlimited 24/7 access Shell & Core OfficeCustomizable unfurnished spaces starting from 700 sq.ft. with unlimited 24/7 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 Conference rooms — for meetings, seminars, lectures, workshops, and other corporate events. Event spaces — for art exhibitions, presentations, conferences, and other business and professional events.

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Commercial Premises

Business-designated areas: retail spaces in business centers, specialized premises for pharmaceutical companies, research organizations and innovation projects, standalone buildings, and other commercial facilities. Commercial premises — meticulously designed spaces, state-of-the-art laboratories, and versatile light industrial units. Laboratories — ready-to-use and shell-and-core laboratory complexes with LEED certification for companies engaged in research, product development, testing, diagnostics, manufacturing, and production.

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Warehouses

WarehousesStorage facilities for goods handling and distribution, with the option to combine multiple units. Include office areas and commercial modules, 6×6 m sliding doors, internal lighting, and modern fire safety systems. Parking, loading zones, and 24/7 security are also available. Light Industrial UnitsFacilities located in Dubai Production City and Dubai Science Park, equipped with built-in offices, dedicated service roads for heavy vehicles, loading zones, parking, 24/7 security, and advanced fire protection systems.

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Hubs

in5 ScienceAn innovation center for startups in biotechnology, healthcare, energy, and environment, offering modern laboratories, specialized facilities for medtech companies and scientific development, industry workshops and events, expert guidance, and access to investors for the growth and scaling of projects.

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 Science Park 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.