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UAE Free Zone (Dubai Commercity) · via Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)·🇵🇹Founder profile

Incorporating in Dubai Commercity for Portuguese Remote Developers

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityConditional
Setup timeline21–45days
Year-1 total$7,500

Portuguese remote developers can establish a Free Zone LLC in Dubai Commercity to facilitate e-commerce and digital service operations. This jurisdiction provides a specialized regulatory environment tailored for digital trade within the UAE.

Founders must navigate the transition from the expiring NHR regime while maintaining compliance with UAE corporate tax laws and substance requirements.

§ 01Cost of ownership

Model the full outlay, not just the setup fee

Renewal costs sneak up on non-resident founders. Compare year-1 filing against a 3-year total to see the real bill.
Currency · USD (live FX)
2-year cost of ownership
$12,000
≈ $500.00/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupShuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC) setup
    $7,500
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $4,500
Total$12,000
§ 02Tax residency · Portuguese Remote Developers

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

Dubai Commercity entities are subject to UAE Federal Decree-Law 47/2022, imposing a 9% Corporate Tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000.

Home-country rule

NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) regime — being phased out 2024

Editorial verdict

Leverage Dubai Commercity for e-commerce activities to benefit from specific logistics infrastructure, but ensure physical substance requirements are met for tax residency.

Key compliance risks
  • 01UAE Economic Substance Regulations compliance
  • 02Potential double taxation if NHR status is mismanaged
  • 03Mandatory physical office lease requirements
§ 03Setup timeline

From filing to funded bank account

Setup timeline
21–45days total, 3 phases
Milestone check
Filing · Tax ID · Banking
d0
d11
d23
d34
d45
01FilingShuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC) submits formation docs
d0–d16
02Tax ID / EINLocal tax authority registration
d14–d34
03BankingBusiness account approved & funded
d27–d45
§ 04Head-to-head

UAE Free Zone (Dubai Commercity) vs US LLC (Wyoming)

Full comparison →
UAE Free Zone (Dubai Commercity)
Free Zone LLC
US LLC (Wyoming)
LLC
Entity
Free Zone LLC
LLC
Setup cost
$1,510
$102.00
Annual
$1,510
$60.00
Local director
Remote OK
Remote OK
Physical presence
Remote OK
Remote OK
Tax regime
9% CT above AED 375k; e-commerce-specific free zone
0% state tax; federal only on US-source income
§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

Yes, Dubai Commercity mandates a physical office lease within the free zone to maintain the license, which is a requirement for UAE corporate tax residency.
More profiles for UAE Free Zone (Dubai Commercity)
Portuguese Remote Developers — other jurisdictions
Next step

Start filing with Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)

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Claim on Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)