Abu Dhabi · Federal/Emirate Authority · Est. 2009
Masdar City Free Zone is Abu Dhabi's sustainability-focused business hub, prioritizing clean technology, AI, renewable energy, mobility, and life sciences. Packages start from AED 7,000 for zero-visa startup setups, supporting up to 6 visa allocations with moderate banking accessibility. The zone provides energy-efficient office space, R&D testing environments, and startup support programs in Abu Dhabi.
Fees last checked · Licensing authority: Federal/Emirate Authority. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the authority before you pay.
From
AED 7,000
Year 1
Quick facts
Startup Package (No Visa)
AED 7,000
— · None · 0 visas
Renews at AED 7,000
Business One (1 Visa + Flexi Desk Lite)
AED 18,500
— · Flexi Desk · 1 visa
Renews at AED 20,100
Innovation (2 Visa Quota + Flexi Desk)
AED 25,980
— · Flexi Desk · 2 visas
Renews at AED 15,600
Enterprise (3 Visa Quota + Flexi Desk Plus)
AED 45,870
— · Flexi Desk · 3 visas
Renews at AED 31,600
Advisory Estimate
AED 20,100
— · 0 visas
Renews at AED 13,000
Estimated
Visa renewal typically every 2 years
MCFZ suits trading, tech and media businesses. Confirm your exact activity is on the zone's list before you apply.
Comparing with a mainland licence? Trading & Services · Transport, Storage & Logistics · IT & Media · Professional & Technical Services
Features
Mainland trading
Dual licence allowed
Crypto-friendly
Shared ownership
Coworking available
Online portal
Audit required
Tax and compliance analysis
Substance
High
Audit risk
Moderate
Forensic ease
7/10
The Sustainability Node; specialized 'Green R&D' Jurisdiction.
Masdar City is Abu Dhabi’s dedicated hub for clean technology and renewable energy. For 2026, the primary forensic challenge lies in the 'R&D Nexus Approach.' Unlike standard trading hubs, Masdar entities often deal with government grants and green-tech incentives. These must be mathematically segregated from taxable commercial revenue to prevent the miscalculation of Qualifying Income and to ensure compliance with OECD-aligned IP standards.
Focused on 'Green R&D' as a primary Qualifying Activity. Article 18 status is heavily dependent on the technical classification of Intellectual Property (IP) and the localization of specialized technical staff within the City's perimeter.
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Tax and compliance
MCFZ tax status and QFZP rules →
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Activities
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How much does it cost to set up in MCFZ?
The cheapest published package for Masdar City is Startup Package (No Visa) at AED 7,000 for Year 1, renewing at AED 7,000. Costs scale with visa count, office type, and licensed activities.
Is banking easy to set up with a MCFZ licence?
Banking difficulty for MCFZ is rated "Moderate". Known banking partners include First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), Emirates NBD, Mashreq, Wio Business.
How many visas can I get with a MCFZ licence, and what do they cost?
MCFZ allows 3 visas per desk. Published packages include up to 3 visas (Enterprise (3 Visa Quota + Flexi Desk Plus), AED 45,870 for Year 1). A dependent (family) visa costs about AED 3,500. Visa renewal typically every 2 years
How much is the MCFZ licence renewal each year?
Annual renewal runs from AED 10,000 to AED 18,000, depending on the package, office and visa count.
What is the minimum share capital in MCFZ?
MCFZ sets no minimum share capital for a standard company, though some activities and entity types carry their own requirement.
Do I need a physical office in MCFZ?
The smallest office we hold for MCFZ is 18 sq m.
Can a MCFZ company trade on the UAE mainland?
Not directly. A MCFZ company trades inside the zone and abroad; selling to mainland customers usually needs a distributor or a separate mainland licence.