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

Incorporate a Dubai Internet City Free Zone LLC for Remote Developers

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityConditional
Setup timeline21–45days
Year-1 total$12,900

Dubai Internet City offers a specialized Free Zone LLC structure for technology-focused entities. This jurisdiction provides a 9% corporate tax rate on profits exceeding AED 375,000.

Portuguese remote developers must evaluate the impact of this structure on their personal tax obligations, particularly given the phasing out of the NHR regime.

§ 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
$18,400
≈ $766.67/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupVirtuzone (UAE BSC) setup
    $12,900
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $5,500
Total$18,400
§ 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 to qualify for potential incentives, but ensure your Portuguese tax residency status is updated to avoid double taxation.

Key compliance risks
  • 01UAE economic substance regulations compliance
  • 02Potential tax residency conflict with Portugal
  • 03High initial setup cost via premium service providers
§ 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
01FilingVirtuzone (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 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

Yes, UAE Free Zone regulations require a physical presence or a flexi-desk arrangement within the designated Free Zone to maintain the license.
More profiles for UAE Free Zone (Dubai Internet City)
Portuguese Remote Developers — other jurisdictions
Next step

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