Compare IFZA - International Free Zone Authority and RAKEZ Free Zone for Real Estate Brokerage & Development setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
IFZA - International Free Zone Authority vs RAKEZ Free Zone for Real Estate Brokerage & Development: IFZA - International Free Zone Authority starts at AED 12,900 (89% bank approval) and RAKEZ Free Zone at AED 6,000 (90%). On Year-1 cost, RAKEZ Free Zone is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 12,900 | 2-4 days | Moderate | Affordable Dubai setup with broad activity coverage, multi-year license discounts | |
| AED 6,000 | 3-4 days | Moderate | Light industrial, trading operations, cost scaling |
Affordable Dubai setup with broad activity coverage, multi-year license discounts
Real estate activities in free zones are typically limited to property management, consultancy, and brokerage services. Actual property development within a free zone requires approval from the relevant emirate's land department. Free zone companies cannot own land in the mainland without a specific RERA-issued permit in Dubai or equivalent in other emirates.
Real estate is not a qualifying free zone activity. Income from UAE real estate is subject to 9% corporate tax regardless of the entity's free zone status. Residential property sales and rentals are generally VAT-exempt, though commercial property may be subject to 5% VAT.
Real estate companies should anticipate banks requesting escrow arrangements and detailed project feasibility studies. For brokerage activities, banks may require proof of RERA registration. Anti-money laundering checks are particularly rigorous for property transactions.
Sep 2025: Mandatory financial statements for renewals
Aug 2025: Mastercard AI-driven registration partnership
Aug 2025: IFZA Panama launched
Company setup in IFZA - International Free Zone Authority starts from AED 12,900 per year.
IFZA - International Free Zone Authority processes company registrations in 2-4 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 89%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including IFZA - International Free Zone Authority allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
IFZA - International Free Zone Authority does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
RAKEZ Free Zone wins on 3 of 4 dimensions. We recommend RAKEZ Free Zone for cost-conscious founders and IFZA - International Free Zone Authority if affordable dubai setup with broad activity coverage, multi-year license discounts.
Used the calculator to compare Meydan with five other zones — the Year 1 cost breakdown and banking scores made the choice clear in under 5 minutes.
Needed to see exactly what I was paying for at RAKEZ versus other zones. The itemized fee breakdown — license, visa, sponsorship — made the comparison transparent.
Wanted clarity on banking approval rates and substance rules by zone. The zone-specific banking data was something I couldn't find on any agent's website.
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