Masdar Free Zone Business Setup
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Masdar Free Zone is Abu Dhabi's sustainability and technology hub, where you set up a 100%-owned company with 0% corporate tax on qualifying income and licence packages from AED 7,000. Legarithm runs it end to end: the right package and activities, name and licence, establishment card and visas, a bank account, and FTA corporate-tax registration — so you launch, not just register. Weighing your options across the Emirates? Compare it with a wider free zone company or company formation in the UAE, and add a Golden Visa and accounting support once you are live.
Why set up in Masdar with Legarithm
The costly mistakes in Masdar Free Zone are small at the start and expensive later: the wrong package for the visas you need, activities that don’t match your licence, no dual-licence plan for Abu Dhabi trade, or a bank that won’t open the account. Each one means a re-file or a stalled launch.
We start from what you actually want to do — trade, consult, build tech, or hold — and pick the package, activities, and structure that fit, with the dual licence in place if you plan to serve the Abu Dhabi mainland. You get a licensed team that files the licence, arranges the establishment card and visas, prepares a bank-ready file, and stays your single point of contact from the first call to a live company.
Key benefits of Masdar Free Zone
These are the outcomes Masdar Free Zone founders actually set one up for.
Who Masdar Free Zone is for
Masdar Free Zone suits founders who want an Abu Dhabi base with 100% ownership and a tech or sustainability edge.
Clean-tech & renewables
Companies in energy, sustainability, and climate technology.
AI, software & deep tech
Developers and startups in AI, autonomous mobility, and space tech.
Agritech & life sciences
Research-driven businesses using the zone’s R&D ecosystem.
Consultants & professional services
Advisory and management-consultancy firms serving the region.
E-commerce & trading
Online and trading businesses that want an Abu Dhabi licence.
Freelancers & startups
Solo founders starting lean on the entry-level package.
What Masdar Free Zone setup includes
Every Masdar Free Zone setup we handle is delivered as a complete, ready-to-trade package, not just a licence.
Package & activity selection
The right tier and business activities for your goals and visas.
Name & licence
Trade-name reservation and the free-zone licence application.
Establishment card
The immigration card that lets you sponsor visas.
Residence visas
Investor and staff visa processing, medical, and Emirates ID.
Office / flexi-desk
A registered address or flexi-desk to match your package.
Bank account
A bank-ready file and introductions to suitable banks.
Corporate-tax registration
FTA / EmaraTax registration to keep your 0% position compliant.
Renewals & compliance
Annual licence renewal and reminders handled for you.
Not sure which package fits your visas and activities?
Get a consultation — a 30-minute call maps your package, cost, and timeline.
Masdar vs mainland vs a Dubai free zone
The right Masdar Free Zone plan depends on where you trade — here is how it compares with the Abu Dhabi mainland and a Dubai free zone.
| Feature | Masdar Free Zone | Abu Dhabi mainland | Dubai free zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Tech / sustainability with 100% ownership | UAE-wide trading, government contracts | Dubai-facing operations |
| 100% foreign ownership | Yes | Yes (most activities) | Yes |
| Corporate tax on qualifying income | 0% | 9% above AED 375,000 | 0% |
| Trade on Abu Dhabi mainland | Yes, via dual licence | Yes, directly | No (needs an agent) |
| Setup from | AED 7,000 | Higher, activity-based | Varies by zone |
| Ecosystem | Clean-tech, AI, R&D cluster | Broad, all sectors | Sector free zones |
Need UAE-wide trade or government contracts? A mainland company may fit better — or compare every option with our company formation in the UAE team.
Set up in Masdar Free Zone the right way
One consultation tells you the package, the total cost, and the timeline for your company.
What we need from you
Setup starts the moment we have your identity, activity, and shareholder documents.
- Valid passport copy for each shareholder and director
- Passport-style photo
- Proof of address issued within the last 3 months
- Current UAE visa or entry stamp, if any
- A short CV or business profile
How Masdar Free Zone setup works
Setting up in Masdar Free Zone with Legarithm is a five-step process most clients complete in two to four weeks.
How much Masdar Free Zone setup costs
Masdar Free Zone publishes official licence tiers from AED 7,000, and Legarithm’s own fee is separate — quoted on request after a free consultation, not bundled into a package.
| Masdar package (official) | Official fee, from (AED) | Visas | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup | 7,000 | 0 | Up to 2 |
| Innovation | 12,500 | 2 | Up to 3 |
| Business One | 17,500 | 1 | Up to 3 |
| Enterprise | 27,000 | 3 | Up to 6 |
| Legarithm service fee | On request · after a free consultation | ||
Figures are Masdar City Free Zone’s official 2026 licence fees and may change; an LLC typically shows an AED 50,000 share-capital figure. Legarithm’s own fee is separate and quoted on request after a free consultation. Ongoing bookkeeping and tax run through our UAE accounting services.
Masdar Free Zone FAQ
Still have questions?
Where is Masdar Free Zone?
In Masdar City, Abu Dhabi — about five minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport and positioned between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
How much does it cost to set up?
As of 2026, government packages start at AED 7,000 for the entry tier and rise to around AED 27,000 for a multi-visa office, per the official Masdar City Free Zone price list; Legarithm’s fee is quoted after a free consultation.
Can I trade on the Abu Dhabi mainland?
Yes. Masdar offers a dual-licence option that lets a free-zone company trade on the Abu Dhabi mainland without a separate office.
How many visas can I get?
It depends on the package — from zero on the entry tier to three or more on the office tiers, and we can scale it as you grow.
Does a Masdar company pay corporate tax?
Qualifying free-zone income is generally taxed at 0%, but you still register with the FTA; our UAE tax services team handles it.
How long does setup take?
The trade licence is issued in up to 10 working days; adding the establishment card, visas, and banking usually brings the total to two to four weeks.
Is there a minimum share capital?
An LLC structure typically requires an AED 50,000 share-capital figure; we confirm what your package and activity need.
What sectors is the zone best for?
Renewable energy, AI and software, autonomous mobility, agritech, space and life sciences, consultancy, and e-commerce.
We Are Always Available
Our team ensures your business setup is smooth, efficient, and compliant with local laws. Contact us today to discuss your project.
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