Meydan Free Zone emerged in January 2026 as a corporate epicenter for entrepreneurs and SMEs seeking to establish themselves in Dubai without the fiscal constraints of the traditional world. Located meters from the planet’s most luxurious racecourse, this free zone combines a premium location with license packages starting from 18,000 AED annually, designed for those who prioritize efficiency over bureaucracy.
The shift came this week with figures confirming the boom: 2,400 new companies registered between January 1 and 23, 2026, a 34% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Entrepreneurs in technology, consulting, commerce, and digital services choose Meydan Free Zone because triennial renewal includes 20% discounts, something other free zones don’t offer structurally.
Meydan Free Zone: What you get for 18,000 AED annually
The basic professional license package at Meydan includes permission for up to three simultaneous commercial activities under a single license. This means you can register consulting, digital trading, and marketing services with one procedure, without additional costs per activity. The standard commercial license ranges from 12,000 to 15,000 AED, but the “Fawri” package (express license in 60 minutes) starts at 15,000 AED and includes all legal documents: formation certificate, Memorandum of Association, shareholder registry, and lease agreement.
Residence visas for partners and employees cost between 500-750 AED per stamp, plus 270-370 AED for Emirates ID with two to three years validity. If you opt for the package with one visa included, the total cost rises to 20,000 AED, but you eliminate separate immigration procedures. The flexible coworking space is included in all licenses: shared desk, internet access, unlimited coffee and tea, plus monthly access to workshops and networking events. You don’t need a permanent physical office if your model is remote or freelance.
The cost structure is transparent: 100% foreign ownership, zero taxes on personal and corporate income, and permits to trade with other free zones (requires approval from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism). Each additional activity after the initial three costs 1,000 AED, with mandatory approvals only for regulated sectors like finance or health.
Why January 2026 set a record for applications
Three factors drove the figures this month, all verifiable and temporary:
- 20% discount on triennial renewal: Active promotion since January 1, 2026, valid for contracts signed before February 28. Reduces the average annual cost from 18,000 AED to 14,400 AED in the third year.
- New mainland trading permit: Since December 2025, Meydan allows direct trading with Dubai mainland companies through simplified DET authorization, eliminating mandatory intermediaries.
- 47% increase in Golden Visa visas: Entrepreneurs with annual turnover exceeding 500,000 AED in Meydan can apply for a 10-year Golden Visa from January 2026, according to government announcement on January 10.
- Proximity to the new Dubai Financial District Expansion: Partial inauguration in December 2025 of direct road connection between Meydan and the financial district, reducing travel time from 25 to 8 minutes.
The impact is quantifiable: 140 nationalities represented in the 2,400 new companies in January, with India (32%), United Kingdom (18%), and Spain (9%) leading applications. The most demanded license category is commercial-technology (58%), followed by professional consulting (24%) and creative services (13%).
How the location next to the racecourse affects
Being 300 meters from the Meydan racecourse, a megastructure of 7.5 million square meters with capacity for 60,000 spectators, is not decorative. This proximity translates into direct access to corporate events, networking with international investors attending the Dubai World Cup (the world’s richest horse race, with prizes exceeding 30 million dollars), and physical space to organize business presentations in racecourse facilities.
Meydan City, the master development surrounding the free zone, includes luxury hotels, shopping centers like Meydan Avenue, and premium residences. Entrepreneurs can live and work in the same district, with gyms, restaurants, and green areas within walking distance. The infrastructure is connected via Ras Al Khor Road and Dubai-Al Ain Road, two main highways linking to Dubai International Airport in 15 minutes.
The differentiating factor is the combination of lifestyle and business: while free zones like Dubai Silicon Oasis or DMCC prioritize industrial functionality, Meydan offers a residential environment with premium services. This attracts profiles of consultants, creative agencies, digital traders, and startups that value quality of life over standard corporate spaces. The figures confirm it: 78% of companies registered in Meydan have teams of 1 to 5 people, compared to 52% in other free zones.
What this model implies for the free zone market in 2026
Beyond the specific case of Meydan, this phenomenon reveals how in 2026 free zones compete for experiential differentiation, not just price. Entrepreneurs no longer choose solely based on low costs or fast procedures; they seek ecosystems that integrate housing, organic networking, and access to high-level events. Meydan capitalizes on this through its location next to the racecourse and the Meydan City residential community.
The “free zone + lifestyle” model changes the rules for traditional competitors like DMCC or JAFZA, which operate in industrial or port areas without integrated residential infrastructure. Meydan’s growth figures (34% year-on-year in January 2026) contrast with the 12% average of other zones, suggesting that the “premium location” factor weighs more than additional tax benefits when these are already equivalent (all Dubai free zones offer 0% taxes).
| Factor | Meydan FZ | Other Free Zones |
|---|---|---|
| Growth Jan 2026 | +34% | +12% average |
| Companies 1-5 employees | 78% | 52% |
| Residential proximity | 300m | 5-15 km average |
| Access to international events | Direct (racecourse) | Limited |
The structural change is clear: free zones that don’t integrate residential and experiential components will lose traction against hybrid models like Meydan. This explains why DMCC announced in December 2025 plans to build 800 residential units within its area, following Meydan’s strategy.
Next steps if you seek to establish yourself in Meydan
Applying for a license before February 28, 2026 guarantees access to the 20% discount on triennial renewal, valid only for contracts signed during this period. The process takes between 48 hours and 7 days depending on the license type: the Fawri (express) package is approved in 60 minutes if documentation is complete.
Required documents: valid passport, one-page business plan (not mandatory but accelerates), bank statements from the last three months (only for financial or regulated licenses), and application form completed on Meydan’s online portal. If you opt for a residence visa, add a medical certificate (250-300 AED at a standard center, 700 AED at Smart Salem express).
Frequently asked questions:
Q: Can I trade with companies outside the free zone?
A: Yes, requires DET permit, simplified process since December 2025.
Q: Does the 20% discount apply from the first year?
A: No, only on the third year renewal if you contract the complete triennial period.
Q: Do I need a mandatory physical office?
A: No, flexible desk (flexi-desk) meets legal requirements.
Q: How many employee visas can I apply for?
A: Depends on office space: flexi-desk allows 1-2 visas, private office up to 10.
