GetSmartPromo
Compare jurisdictions
UAE Free Zone (Dubai Media City) · via Virtuzone (UAE BSC)·🇵🇹Founder profile

Incorporating a Dubai Media City Free Zone LLC for Portuguese Developers

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

Portuguese remote developers can establish a Free Zone LLC in Dubai Media City to access the UAE's 9% corporate tax regime on income above AED 375,000. This structure requires adherence to specific media-related licensing and economic substance requirements.

Founders must evaluate the tax implications of the NHR regime phase-out in Portugal when structuring their UAE-based entity.

§ 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 for Free Zone entities.

Home-country rule

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

Editorial verdict

Leverage Dubai Media City for media-related activities to align with specific Free Zone licensing requirements and benefit from the 9% CT threshold.

Key compliance risks
  • 01UAE economic substance regulations compliance
  • 02Potential double taxation due to NHR regime phase-out in Portugal
  • 03Strict adherence to media-specific activity codes required
§ 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 Media City) vs US LLC (Wyoming)

Full comparison →
UAE Free Zone (Dubai Media 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; media/broadcast/publishing focused
0% state tax; federal only on US-source income
§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

The 9% Corporate Tax applies to taxable income exceeding AED 375,000. Income below this threshold is subject to a 0% rate. Certain qualifying income for Free Zone Persons may be eligible for 0% taxation under specific conditions defined by the Ministry of Finance.
More profiles for UAE Free Zone (Dubai Media City)
Portuguese Remote Developers — other jurisdictions
Next step

Start filing with Virtuzone (UAE BSC)

Formation typically completes in 2–3 weeks. Use the promo below, then click through to begin the checklist directly on the platform.

Claim on Virtuzone (UAE BSC)