Masdar City Free Zone
Masdar is a Abu Dhabi-based free zone with packages starting from AED 7,000, supporting up to 6 visa allocations, and moderate banking access. Masdar City Free Zone is Abu Dhabi's sustainability-anchored free zone, positioned as a hub for clean tech, AI/ICT, life sciences, mobility and energy-adjacent services. Official packages start at AED 7,000/year for a zero-visa startup setup, with visa-inclusive bundles available.
From
AED 7,000
Established
2009
Companies
2,000
Max Visas
6
Banking
Moderate
Masdar Packages & Pricing
| Package | License | Visas | Office | Year 1 Total | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Startup Package (No Visa) | AED 7,000 | 0 | None | AED 7,000 | AED 7,000 |
| Business One (1 Visa + Flexi Desk Lite) | AED 17,500 | 1 | Flexi Desk | AED 18,500 | AED 20,100 |
| Innovation (2 Visa Quota + Flexi Desk) | AED 12,000 | 2 | Flexi Desk | AED 25,980 | AED 15,600 |
| Enterprise (3 Visa Quota + Flexi Desk Plus) | AED 27,000 | 3 | Flexi Desk | AED 45,870 | AED 31,600 |
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Published official package pricing: AED 7,000 / 12,000 / 17,500 / 27,000 with transparent visa fee line-items
- Very competitive coworking leases: Virtual Desk AED 6,000/year, Flexidesk AED 10,000/year
- Fast formation: business setup can be completed in as little as 5 days
- Clear visa fee breakdown: Establishment Card AED 1,600, eChannels AED 2,600, 2-year visa AED 3,050
- 1,100+ companies with major anchors (Siemens Energy, MBZUAI, IRENA)
- Dual-licence pathway for Abu Dhabi mainland access via ADDED/TAMM (~AED 1,200 base)
Watch out for
- Some packages don't include visa processing fees — Year 1 can rise materially once you add visas
- Packages subject to 5% VAT; special-name and extra-activity surcharges may apply
- Visa process can require additional items (entry permit, status change, stamping) beyond base cost
- Bank account opening is compliance-driven — expect 2–6+ weeks
- Minimum share capital of AED 50,000 for FZ-LLC (depositable) adds initial friction
Visa Information
Max Quota
6 visas
0-6 per package, expandable based on business needs and office size
Processing Time
10 days
Renewal Cost
AED 3,890
Every 2 years
Dependent Visa
AED 3,500
Available Visa Types
Visa Cost Breakdown
Employee Visa
AED 3,890
Investor Visa
AED 3,890
Medical Standard
AED 450
Medical VIP
AED 850
Emirates ID Typing
AED 390
Company setup can be completed in as little as 5 days. Visas add time for medical, biometrics, and stamping — varies based on in-country vs entry-permit processing.
Banking
Partner Banks
Expect 2–6+ weeks for new foreign-owned entities. Banks require lease/address, shareholder KYC, contracts, and business plan. Masdar offers a One-Stop-Shop for banking support.
Features
Mainland Trading
Physical Office Required
Dual License Allowed
Crypto Friendly
Shared Ownership
Free Zone to Mainland
Online Portal
Co-working Available
Audit Required
Share Capital Requirement
AED 50,000 (depositable; typical for FZ-LLC; branches often none)
Special Ecosystems
Location
Recent Developments
- July 2025: Dubai Land Department MoC enables Masdar free zone companies to own freehold properties in Dubai
- December 2024: Start Lite & Business One packages unveiled targeting startups (WAM)
- December 2023: Specialized AI business package announced for tech innovation
- October 2023: Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone partnership for logistics/space offerings
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Masdar City Free Zone license cost in 2026?
Official packages start at AED 7,000/year for the Startup Package (no visa). A 1-visa flexi-desk-inclusive option (Business One) is AED 17,500/year before insurance.
What is the cheapest Masdar package with a visa?
Business One at AED 17,500 includes one visa plus establishment card, e-channel, medical, and Emirates ID. Budget extra for insurance (~AED 1,000/year).
How much is a Masdar City Free Zone visa per person?
Published 2-year employment visa package is AED 3,050 excluding medical and Emirates ID. Plus a refundable visa deposit of AED 2,500 per employee.
Does Masdar require an office or can I use a virtual desk?
Masdar offers a Virtual Desk at AED 6,000/year and Flexidesk at AED 10,000/year. Requirements vary by activity and whether you need visas/banking substance.
Can Masdar companies do business in Abu Dhabi mainland?
Yes, Abu Dhabi offers a dual-licence route through ADDED/TAMM (commonly AED 1,200 base for six activities + AED 100 per extra activity).
Is there a minimum share capital for Masdar?
Commonly cited as AED 50,000 paid-up share capital for FZ-LLC (depositable). Branches often have no minimum. Confirm during incorporation.
How long does Masdar setup take?
Setup can be completed in as little as 5 days for licensing steps. Adding visas extends the timeline for medical and Emirates ID processing.
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Starting From
AED 7,000 /yr