What sets DHCC apart from general-purpose free zones: on top of the commercial licence, clinics and practising professionals go through professional licensing with the zone’s regulator (DHCR). That makes the launch more demanding, but it delivers something available nowhere else — a recognised medical address and a ready patient audience.
Why choose DHCC
A medical business chooses its jurisdiction not by the price of the licence but by the regulatory environment and reputation. Here DHCC holds a strong hand.
- A dedicated regulator inside the zone: clear rules for licensing clinics and professionals
- The reputation of a recognised medical cluster — the trust of patients and partners from day one
- 100% foreign ownership and profit repatriation with no local partner
- A broad licence range: from a hospital to medical consulting, distribution and wellness
- Ready-built infrastructure for medical activity — premises that meet clinical requirements
- A concentrated professional community: doctors, laboratories and suppliers in one cluster
Steps to register a company in DHCC
For non-medical companies the process is close to an ordinary free zone. For clinics, professional licensing is added — best planned in parallel with the commercial registration.
- Choose the activity: clinical practice, consulting, distribution, wellness or medical education
- Apply for initial approval; for clinical activity, obtain clearance from the zone’s regulator
- Prepare the documents: founders’ passports, business plan and, for clinics, professionals’ qualification records
- Select and get approval for premises meeting medical or office requirements
- Pay the registration and licence fees and obtain the commercial licence
- License the doctors with the DHCC regulator, arrange visas and open a bank account
A non-medical company is usually registered within a few weeks. For a clinic, the timeline is set by the professionals’ licences and the premises inspection — a realistic horizon for a full launch is two to four months.
Cost of setting up a company in DHCC (2026)
The DHCC administration does not publish an open price list: fees depend on the licence type, the specialisation and the premises. The cost structure looks as follows, with exact amounts confirmed on request.
| Cost item | Amount, AED | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Initial application and registration fees | on request | One-off payments at company formation |
| Commercial licence (non-medical) | on request | Consulting, distribution, wellness — cheaper than a clinical one |
| Clinic licence | on request | Depends on the specialisation and the type of facility |
| Professional licence for a practitioner | on request | Issued for each practising doctor |
| Premises rent | on request | Clinical space costs more than office space |
| Residence visa | on request | Medical test and Emirates ID paid separately |
The budget of a clinic and that of a consulting firm in DHCC differ by a wide margin — comparing them by average figures makes no sense. Request an official estimate for your profile and set aside a reserve for fitting out the premises to clinical standards.
Taxation in DHCC
DHCC companies are subject to the UAE’s general regime: corporate tax of 9% on profit above AED 375,000 a year, and 0% below that threshold. Where the qualifying-income and economic-substance conditions are met, Qualifying Free Zone Person status with a 0% rate is available. VAT is 5%, yet a number of medical services in the UAE fall under the zero rate — the FTA defines the categories, and for clinics this is a substantial part of tax planning. Bookkeeping and filing through EmaraTax are mandatory for all residents.
Who DHCC suits
- Clinics, hospitals and practising professionals planning to see patients in Dubai
- Distributors of medical equipment, pharmaceutical and biotech companies
- Medical consulting firms, wellness projects and providers of medical education
“DHCC is the most tightly regulated free zone in Dubai, and that is a plus: patients and insurers trust the address. But in the financial model it is vital, from day one, to separate the timeline of the commercial licence from that of the doctors’ licences — they run on different calendars”, notes the lead lawyer at Dynasty Business Adviser.
Open your company in DHCC with Dynasty Business Adviser
We manage your medical business in Dubai Healthcare City end to end: the commercial licence, professional licensing of practitioners, choice of premises, visas and bank account. Start with a consultation — we will draw up a realistic launch plan and budget for your profile.
Get a consultation
Price data is current as of the publication date (13 July 2026) and verified against open sources, including dhcc.ae; before paying, confirm the fees directly with the zone administration.
