Starting a business in Dubai offers immense potential, and understanding the costs involved while setting up is crucial. If you are launching a small business or scaling to become more competitive in the local or global market, having a clear understanding of the initial expenses involved helps planning be more effective.

It is here that Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone comes into the spotlight. The free zone offers a sophisticated Dubai business setup cost calculator. A digital tool designed to estimate all key expenses involved in getting businesses off the ground. The tool showcases initial expenses such as the business license cost in Dubai, visa fees, and costs covering additional services.

According to a recent market report, the financial planning software market has grown from $4.91 billion in 2024 to $5.69 billion in 2025, with continued expansion expected. The budgeting and forecasting software market specifically is projected to grow from $5.7 billion in 2024 to $12.4 billion by 2033.

In this blog, we explain how the Business Setup Cost Calculator works, outline the major costs to consider, and show why Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone provides the most transparent and flexible business setup experience for entrepreneurs.

What Is the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone Cost Calculator?

The Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone Cost Calculator is a tool that helps entrepreneurs calculate the total business setup cost in Dubai within minutes.

By using this business setup cost calculator, you receive a customised UAE company formation cost estimate based on your selected business activities, visa requirements, workspace requirement, and additional support services, allowing you to plan your business setup with complete clarity.

Why Is Calculating Startup Costs Important?

Calculating your business setup costs ensures financial readiness and informed decision-making.

• Financial Clarity: Knowing the exact cost to start a business in UAE allows you to accurately plan your starting budget and avoid unexpected expenses.

• Better Planning: A clear cost estimate helps you assess feasibility and refine your business plan.

• Investor Confidence: When you seek funding, a detailed financial projection of your business plan, supported by the business setup cost calculator, demonstrates professionalism and preparedness.

Using the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone Cost Calculator ensures every expense, from licensing to visa allocation, is accounted for from the start.

Exploring the 4 Key Costs Involved in Starting a Business in Dubai

Starting a business in Dubai involves several core expenses that vary depending on your chosen activities and structure.

1. Business License Cost

The business license cost in Dubai is one of the main setup expenses. At Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone, licenses start from AED 12,500, where you can choose up to five activities, and have a flexi-desk included with your license.

2. Co-working Space

Each business license includes a co-working or flexi-desk option. For larger teams, Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone offers scalable workspaces designed to grow with your business.

3. Visa Allocation

The calculator enables you to add visa requirements for investors/partners and employees. The more visas you need, the higher the total setup cost is.

4. Additional Services

You can include optional services such as banking assistance, VIP Medical and Emirates ID processing, all of which appear transparently in your estimate.

How Does the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone Cost Calculator Work?

The business setup cost calculator is intuitive and easy to use:

1. Enter your details: Add your name and contact information.

2. Select your business activity: Choose up to five from over 900 activities.

3. Add visa requirements: Select the number of investor and employee visas you need (up to 6 or more).

4. Choose value-added services: Services such as banking support and VIP medical and Emirates ID assistance are also available. This optional service can be chosen if it's needed at the start, when setting up a business.

5. Get your estimate: The system instantly calculates your entire Dubai business setup cost.

This digital tool provides transparency and helps you manage finances effectively before committing to your setup.

Understanding the Business License Cost in Dubai

The business license cost in Dubai depends on the business activity selected, the number of visas, and the office requirements.

At Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone, a basic license starts from AED 12,500; it also covers the selected business activities (up to 5 activities under one license), and a flexi-desk. The final estimate adjusts based on the number of visas you choose and if you opt for any additional services.

Important Factors That Affect the License Costs

• Business Activity: Certain sectors require external or third-party approvals.

• Workspace Type: Larger or private offices involve additional fees.

• Visa Quantity: Each additional visa increases the total cost.

The Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone Cost Calculator combines these variables to provide an accurate projection of your total setup investment.

Factors That Affect the Cost to Start a Business in UAE

• Jurisdiction Choice: Free zones like Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone offer 100% foreign ownership and a fast digital onboarding process, unlike other free zones that may not provide a complete online business setup.

• Visa Needs: Investor/partner and employee visas vary in cost depending on business size.

• Value-Added Services: Optional services such as banking assistance or VIP Medical & Emirates ID processing influence total expenses.

Why Choose Dubai South Business Hub for Your Business Setup?

Entrepreneurs choose Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone for its structured, founder-first ecosystem:

• Affordable Setup: Licenses start from AED 12,500 with transparent pricing.

• Full Foreign Ownership: Maintain 100% control of your business.

• Same-Day License Issuance: Receive your license within the same day.

• Flexible Workspaces: Scale easily from a flexi-desk to a dedicated independent facility.

• Strategic Location: 5 minutes from Al Maktoum International Airport and close to Jebel Ali Port, ensuring global connectivity.

Using the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone Cost Calculator gives you an instant, clear estimate of your total business setup cost so you can launch efficiently and with complete confidence.

Conclusion

The Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone Cost Calculator simplifies business planning by offering a clear, accurate, and transparent tool that helps you estimate your startup costs. Combined with getting your license issued the same day, scalable solutions, and credibility, Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone provides the most practical foundation to launch and grow your business in Dubai.

FAQs

1. How much does it cost to start a business in Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone?

Launching a business starts from AED 12,500, which includes a business license and a flexi-desk workspace.

2. Can I set up a business without a local sponsor?

Yes. Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone allows 100% foreign ownership.

3. How do I calculate my startup costs in Dubai?

Use the Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone Cost Calculator to view all costs that highlight the business license, visas, and workspace in one breakdown.

4. How soon can I get my business license?

The free zone offers value-added Beyond Hub services such as banking assistance, tax and accounting support, visa processing, medical and Emirates ID coordination, and phone answering solutions to help your business operate and scale smoothly.

5. Can I upgrade my co-working space later?

Yes, businesses can easily scale from a flexi-desk to independent workspace.