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UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN) · via MEYDAN Free Zone·🇵🇹Founder profile

Meydan Free Zone Incorporation for Portuguese Remote Developers

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

Portuguese remote developers can establish a Free Zone LLC in Meydan to access the UAE corporate tax regime. This structure requires adherence to local substance regulations and mandatory annual financial reporting.

The process involves company registration, obtaining a trade license, and securing a UAE residency visa. Applicants must consider the interaction between UAE tax laws and Portuguese personal income tax obligations.

§ 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 · Portuguese Remote Developers

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

UAE Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 Article 3 imposes a 9% Corporate Tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000, with 0% VAT applicable to services exported outside the UAE.

Home-country rule

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

Editorial verdict

Leverage the Meydan Free Zone LLC structure for 100% foreign ownership, but ensure you maintain a physical office lease to comply with UAE economic substance requirements.

Key compliance risks
  • 01UAE economic substance requirements for tax residency
  • 02Potential CFC rules under Portuguese tax law
  • 03Strict bank compliance for non-resident directors
§ 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

Yes, services provided to clients outside the UAE are generally subject to 0% VAT. You must maintain valid proof of export of services to qualify for this treatment under UAE VAT law.
More profiles for UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN)
Portuguese Remote Developers — other jurisdictions
Next step

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