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Opening a company in Dubai from Spain without traveling is possible and completely legal. The constitution takes 7 business days and there are only two times when physical presence cannot be avoided.
Opening a company in Dubai from Spain without traveling is possible and completely legal. The complete incorporation process takes 7 business days. If you include a residence visa and work card, the total process takes 14 days, also manageable remotely until the time of stamping the visa in the passport, which requires a 2-3 day visit to Dubai. At IBÉRICO we have established more than 300 companies for Spanish-speaking clients since 2020, 78% of them without the customer stepping on Dubai during the opening process.
This article explains exactly how the remote process works, what documentation you need, how much it costs and what are the points where physical presence cannot be avoided.
The United Arab Emirates has been simplifying the company formation process for years to attract foreign investment. Since 2021, most of the Free Zones in the country allow the digital signing of corporate documents and the telematic processing of licenses.
The UAE has more than 40 operational Free Zones. The main ones, such as DMCC, ADGM, IFZA or RAKICC, accept remote incorporation with apostilled documentation.
The process works because the UAE does not require the founder of a company to be physically present to incorporate it. Presence is only mandatory at two times: when applying for a biometric visa (Emirates ID) and, in some banks, for opening a bank account.
This is the first and most important decision. The short answer: if your activity is digital, services or international, choose Free Zone. If you are going to operate commercially within the Emirati market, you need Mainland.
For the majority of Spanish freelancers and entrepreneurs, the Free Zone is the right option. In this guide you have the essential comparison to assess which structure fits your activity.
The first step is to define what activity you record. The UAE has more than 2,000 classified commercial activities. Some require additional permits (healthcare, education, financial services). Most don't.
IBÉRICO submits the application electronically. Approval of the name and provisional license is obtained in 2-3 business days.
The incorporation documents (Memorandum & Articles of Association, shareholder certificate) are signed digitally. The electronic signature is legally valid in the UAE.
Once the documents are signed and the fees paid, the final business license is issued. The company already exists legally.
This is where the process stops being 100% remote. The residence visa requires:
Many clients fly on a Tuesday, make the appointment on Wednesday and return on Thursday. Direct flight Madrid-Dubai: 7 hours.
Actual times by bank in 2026:
| Bank | Estimated time | Recommended profile |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates NBD | 2-4 weeks | High volumes |
| ADCB | 2-3 weeks | SMEs |
| WIO Bank | 1-2 weeks | Startups and digital |
| Mashreq | 2-3 weeks | E-commerce and trading |
| Concept | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Commercial license (Free Zone) | €1,500 - €4,000/year |
| Registration fees (one-time payment) | 500€ - 1.500€ |
| Residence visa (founder) | 1.200€ - 1.800€ |
| Emirates ID | Included in visa |
| Bank account opening | 0€ - 500€ |
| Estimated total (all included) | 3.500€ - 7.000€ |
The bank is the real bottleneck. You can have the license in 7 days, but if the bank takes 6 weeks to open the account, you cannot operate. Plan this from the beginning.
Recorded activity matters more than it seems. If you record "management consulting" and invoices for "software development," the bank may question transactions.
The Corporate Tax of 9% applies from AED 375,000 (~€95,000) of annual profit. Below that figure, the rate is 0%.
It is not automatically a problem, but it requires specific advice. The Spanish Treasury applies the criterion of effective management: if the company is managed from Spain, it is taxed in Spain. That's why, read our article on Spanish Treasury and company in Dubai before deciding.
Yes. You do not have to register as self-employed. But if the Emirati company manages the same activity, you need tax advice.
No. Neither in the Free Zone nor in Mainland since 2021 in most sectors.
Yes. Each employee requires a work visa and Emirates ID. The maximum depends on the type of license.
The settlement process takes between 30 and 90 days. Visas, accounts and licenses must be canceled in that order.
Yes. A company in the Free Zone can have multiple shareholders, each with their own residence visa.
Ready to take the step? Book a free consultation and in 30 minutes we will tell you which structure is best for you.
Sources: UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 · DMCC Authority · Dubai DED · Federal Tax Authority UAE.
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