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UAE Free Zone (DAFZA) · via DAFZA (Dubai Airport)·🇪🇸Founder profile

Incorporating a DAFZA Free Zone LLC for Spanish Consultants

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityConditional
Setup timeline21–45days
Year-1 total$20,000

DAFZA provides a strategic base for consultants operating near Dubai International Airport. The Free Zone LLC structure allows for 100% foreign ownership and full capital repatriation.

Spanish tax residents must evaluate the interaction between UAE corporate tax and Spanish personal income tax, specifically regarding the Beckham Law and CFC rules.

§ 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
$38,000
≈ $1,583/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupDAFZA (Dubai Airport) setup
    $20,000
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $18,000
Total$38,000
§ 02Tax residency · Spanish Nomad Consultants

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

The UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 imposes a 9% Corporate Tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000.

Home-country rule

Beckham Law regime; autónomo alternative comparison

Editorial verdict

Consultants should weigh the 9% UAE CT against Spain's Beckham Law, which may offer a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish-sourced income for qualifying expats.

Key compliance risks
  • 01Economic substance requirements for tax residency
  • 02Potential double taxation if Spanish tax residency is triggered
  • 03High mandatory office lease costs in DAFZA
§ 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
01FilingDAFZA (Dubai Airport) 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 (DAFZA) vs US LLC (Wyoming)

Full comparison →
UAE Free Zone (DAFZA)
Free Zone LLC
US LLC (Wyoming)
LLC
Entity
Free Zone LLC
LLC
Setup cost
$1,578
$102.00
Annual
$1,578
$60.00
Local director
Remote OK
Remote OK
Physical presence
Remote OK
Remote OK
Tax regime
9% CT above AED 375k; aviation and light industry near DXB
0% state tax; federal only on US-source income
§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

Yes, DAFZA mandates a physical office lease within the Free Zone to maintain a valid trade license. Virtual offices are not permitted for DAFZA LLCs.
More profiles for UAE Free Zone (DAFZA)
Spanish Nomad Consultants — other jurisdictions
Next step

Start filing with DAFZA (Dubai Airport)

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Claim on DAFZA (Dubai Airport)