Pricing is transparent: packages are published on masdarcityfreezone.com, with the entry-level option at 7,000 AED. This article covers current 2026 rates, the registration steps, taxes and the typical mistakes people make when choosing a package.
Why Choose MCFZ
Masdar City offers a rare combination: a low entry cost, a strong sustainability brand and a living ecosystem — from research institutes to the IRENA headquarters.
- Startup Package at 7,000 AED — one of the most affordable official rates in Abu Dhabi
- A dedicated Innovation Package at 12,000 AED with a 2-visa quota for technology startups
- A clean-tech and R&D ecosystem: institutes, pilot sites, and IRENA and technology corporations as neighbours
- Flexible workspace formats: virtual desk from 6,000 AED per year, flexi desk, offices and laboratories
- 100% foreign ownership and free repatriation of profits
- 10 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport — convenient for international teams
Steps to Set Up a Company in MCFZ
The process is standard for UAE free zones and runs through the administration’s online portal. The main decision comes at step one — which package to take and how many activities to include in the licence.
- Choose a package (Startup, Innovation, Business One, Enterprise) and your business activities
- Reserve a trade name and submit the application via the Masdar City portal
- Prepare incorporation documents and details of shareholders and beneficial owners
- Choose your workspace: virtual desk, flexi desk, office or laboratory
- Pay for the package and receive the licence
- Obtain the Establishment Card, e-channel registration, residence visas and open a bank account
Standard registration takes 5–10 business days with a complete document set. If your activity requires external approvals — for example, certain energy or research licences — allow 3–4 weeks.
Cost of Setting Up a Company in MCFZ (2026)
All figures below are official rates from the License and Registration page on masdarcityfreezone.com; 5% VAT is added on top. Packages differ in the number of activities, the visa quota and the workspace format.
| Cost item | Amount, AED | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Startup Package | 7 000 | Licence and registration, up to 2 activities, no visa or workspace |
| Innovation Package | 12 000 | For startups: up to 3 activities, 2-visa quota, flexi desk |
| Business One Package | 17 500 | 1 visa, flexi desk lite, Establishment Card, e-channel, medical test, Emirates ID |
| Enterprise Package | 27 000 | Up to 6 activities, 3-visa quota, flexi desk plus |
| Employment visa (2 years) | 3 050 | Plus medical test 350, Emirates ID 450, status change 800–900; refundable deposit 2,500 |
| Establishment Card / e-channel | 1 600 / 2 600 | One-off immigration registrations; e-channel renewal — 1,600 per year |
| Additional business activity | 2 500 | Special activities — 5,000 |
A detail many people miss: the 7,000 AED Startup Package covers the licence only — no visa, no desk. A company with one visa realistically starts at 17,500 AED (Business One). The discounted Startup rate runs for three years, after which the company moves to the standard tariff.
Taxation in MCFZ
Masdar City residents operate under the general UAE regime: 9% Corporate Tax on profit above 375,000 AED, 0% below the threshold, and 5% VAT. The zone is on the list of free zones for Corporate Tax purposes, so a company with Qualifying Free Zone Person status can apply 0% to qualifying income — primarily transactions with foreign counterparties and other free zone residents. That requires a real office, staff and discipline in how revenue is structured.
Who MCFZ Is Right For
- Startups and companies in clean tech, renewable energy, climate and water technologies
- R&D teams and IT ventures that value the tech park ecosystem and the Masdar City brand
- Consultancies and small businesses looking for an affordable official entry into Abu Dhabi
‘Masdar City is the most economical entry into Abu Dhabi for a technology startup: the official 7,000 AED rate comes with a brand that opens doors to corporate clients’, notes the lead lawyer at Dynasty Business Adviser.
Set Up Your MCFZ Company with Dynasty Business Adviser
We will match a Masdar City package to your profile, verify the business activities, prepare the documents, arrange visas and open a corporate account. Get in touch and we will calculate a complete first-year budget with no hidden items.
Get a consultation
Pricing information is accurate as of the publication date (July 13, 2026) and verified against open sources, including masdarcityfreezone.com; confirm current fees directly with the zone administration before paying.
