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UAE Free Zone (Dubai Internet City) · via Dubai Internet City·🇵🇹Founder profile

Incorporating a Dubai Internet City Free Zone LLC for Portuguese Developers

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityConditional
Setup timeline21–45days
Year-1 total$25,000

Dubai Internet City provides a specialized Free Zone LLC structure for tech-focused entities operating within the UAE. Portuguese remote developers must maintain physical office presence to satisfy licensing requirements.

The jurisdiction operates under a 9% corporate tax regime for income exceeding AED 375,000, subject to federal compliance standards.

§ 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
$50,000
≈ $2,083/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupDubai Internet City setup
    $25,000
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $25,000
Total$50,000
§ 02Tax residency · Portuguese Remote Developers

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

UAE Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 imposes 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 the ICT-focused ecosystem of Dubai Internet City, but ensure your operational substance meets UAE Economic Substance Regulations to maintain tax residency status.

Key compliance risks
  • 01UAE Economic Substance Regulations compliance
  • 02Physical office lease requirement for visa eligibility
  • 03Potential double taxation if Portuguese tax residency is maintained
§ 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
01FilingDubai Internet City 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 Internet City) vs US LLC (Wyoming)

Full comparison →
UAE Free Zone (Dubai Internet City)
Free Zone LLC
US LLC (Wyoming)
LLC
Entity
Free Zone LLC
LLC
Setup cost
$1,686
$102.00
Annual
$1,686
$60.00
Local director
Remote OK
Remote OK
Physical presence
Remote OK
Remote OK
Tax regime
9% CT above AED 375k; ICT and tech-focused; TECOM Group
0% state tax; federal only on US-source income
§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

While you do not need to reside in Dubai, the Free Zone LLC structure requires a physical office lease within Dubai Internet City to maintain your trade license.
More profiles for UAE Free Zone (Dubai Internet City)
Portuguese Remote Developers — other jurisdictions
Next step

Start filing with Dubai Internet City

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Claim on Dubai Internet City