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UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN) · via MEYDAN Free Zone·🇩🇪Founder profile

Meydan Free Zone Incorporation for German Indie Developers

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityConditional
Setup timeline21–45days
Year-1 total$12,500

German indie developers can utilize Meydan Free Zone to establish a UAE-based LLC for software distribution and digital services. This structure allows for 100% foreign ownership and access to the UAE tax regime.

German tax residents must reconcile this structure with local CFC rules and mandatory disclosure requirements under AO §138. Proper tax planning is required to maintain compliance in both jurisdictions.

§ 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
$25,000
≈ $1,042/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupMEYDAN Free Zone setup
    $12,500
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $12,500
Total$25,000
§ 02Tax residency · German Indie Developers

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 imposes a 9% Corporate Tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000, while qualifying free zone persons may benefit from 0% under specific conditions.

Home-country rule

AO §138 Anzeigepflicht (foreign entity disclosure); CFC rules

Editorial verdict

Meydan is ideal for digital-only indie devs; ensure your German tax advisor reviews the CFC rules and AO §138 disclosure requirements before finalizing incorporation.

Key compliance risks
  • 01German CFC (Außensteuergesetz) tax exposure
  • 02AO §138 foreign entity disclosure obligations
  • 03UAE Economic Substance Regulations compliance
  • 04Potential double taxation without DTAA optimization
§ 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
01FilingMEYDAN Free Zone 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 (MEYDAN) vs US LLC (Wyoming)

Full comparison →
UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN)
Free Zone LLC
US LLC (Wyoming)
LLC
Entity
Free Zone LLC
LLC
Setup cost
$1,306
$102.00
Annual
$1,306
$60.00
Local director
Remote OK
Remote OK
Physical presence
Remote OK
Remote OK
Tax regime
9% CT above AED 375k; 0% VAT for out-of-UAE trade
0% state tax; federal only on US-source income
§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

Under German Außensteuergesetz, if you maintain control over the UAE entity and it generates passive income, the undistributed profits may be attributed to you personally for German tax purposes. Consult a tax professional regarding active vs. passive income classification.
More profiles for UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN)
German Indie Developers — other jurisdictions
Next step

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