mainland versus zone franche for a software company

The answer changes if the company combines software subscriptions with implementation, hardware, regulated financial technology, healthcare data or customer-site services.

What Is a Software or SaaS Company?

A SaaS company generally gives customers online access to software hosted or managed by the provider. Customers normally pay a monthly, annual, usage-based or user-based fee rather than acquiring the underlying source code.

The licence activity must match what the company actually does. "Software development," "IT consultancy," "portal operation," "cloud services" and "software trading" can represent different regulatory and commercial functions.

Before choosing mainland or zone franche, the fondateurs should separate each expected revenue stream.

A technology company may earn income from:

The correct activities and tax treatment can differ across these streams.

For example, a business developing its own subscription platform is not identical to a reseller purchasing licences from an overseas vendor. A company that installs servers and network equipment may need trading and technical activities in addition to software consultancy.

A mainland company is licensed by the economic department of the emirate in which it is established. In Dubaï, the relevant economic licensing functions are administered through the Département de l'Économie et du Tourisme and its associated channels.

A mainland software or IT company may generally conduct its approved activities throughout the local market, subject to any sector-specific restrictions.

Depending on its licence, it may:

The company remains limited to the activities stated on its licence. A general software activity does not authorise regulated financial, healthcare, telecommunications or cybersecurity services where separate approvals are required.

A zone franche software company is incorporated and licensed by a specific zone franche authority.

The company may operate as:

Different free zones offer different activity lists, office solutions, visa allocations, ownership rules and technology communities. Some provide startup programmes, incubators, co-working facilities, investor networks and access to specialist service providers.

The company must comply with its zone franche's rules and should confirm how its proposed activities may be conducted outside the zone.

A zone franche software company can enter contracts with customers aux EAU, but the legality and appropriate licensing structure depend on the nature and location of the activity.

Relevant questions include:

Is the service delivered entirely online?

Are employees deployed to the customer's premises?

Is the company maintaining a permanent mainland office?

Does the contract require a mainland licence?

Is the customer a government entity?

Does the company install or maintain physical equipment?

Is the activity regulated?

Does the company market or sell directly from mainland premises?

A remote subscription accessed by a customer is operationally different from a team permanently stationed at the customer's Dubaï office.

Where the activity creates a mainland operating presence or requires mainland authorisation, the company may need a branch, permit or separate mainland entity.

Dubaï Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 established a framework under which eligible Dubaï zone franche establishments may conduct approved activities outside their free zones and within Dubaï.

The available routes include:

Dubaï subsequently introduced the Zone franche Mainland Operating Permit for eligible companies holding a Dubaï Unified Licence. The initial phase includes non-regulated fields such as technology, consultancy, design, professional services and certain trading activities.

A temporary permit may be useful for an eligible technology company performing a time-limited mainland project. A branch route may be more appropriate for recurring local operations.

Eligibility must be checked using the current activity list and procedures. A software-related description on a zone franche licence does not automatically qualify for every mainland technology activity.

A mainland company provides a clear structure for recurring work with EAU businesses.

It may simplify:

A company implementing systems at customer locations may require staff to work outside its own office for extended periods.

This can apply to:

A mainland structure can provide greater clarity for this operating model, although project and sector approvals may still be required.

A mainland licence does not guarantee tender eligibility, but it may be preferred or required for certain opportunities.

A growing software business may require a dedicated office for management, developers, sales teams, demonstrations and customer support.

A mainland company may be easier to scale when much of the workforce, management and customer delivery are based in mainland Dubaï.

A mainland company may require commercial premises appropriate to its activities and staffing plans.

A mainland juridical person is generally subject to the standard EAU Impôt sur les sociétés regime rather than the special Zone franche Impôt sur les sociétés regime.

Some fondateurs value proximity to technology companies, accelerators, investors and sector-specific infrastructure available within selected free zones.

Combining software, consultancy, hardware trading and regulated services can increase licensing and approval requirements.

A SaaS company can deliver its product digitally to customers across multiple markets while maintaining its headquarters and development operation in a EAU zone franche.

A suitable zone franche may provide:

A small founding team may begin with a shared or serviced office and increase its premises and visa capacity as the company grows.

Free zones are widely used by foreign fondateurs establishing wholly owned EAU technology businesses.

Full foreign ownership is also available for many mainland activities, so foreign ownership alone should not determine the choice.

A Qualifying Zone franche Person can benefit from a 0% Impôt sur les sociétés rate on Qualifying Income if every statutory condition is met.

For a software company, this analysis can be valuable—but it is also technically complex.

Some free zones offer legal frameworks, documentation and ecosystems commonly used by venture-funded companies. The precise suitability depends on the investor, investment round and exit plan.

The company may need additional authorisation if it maintains mainland premises, deploys staff permanently outside the zone or performs activities requiring mainland licensing.

Some public-sector tenders or supplier-registration processes may prefer or require a mainland-licensed entity.

The company cannot assume that all SaaS subscription or software-licensing income is subject to 0% Impôt sur les sociétés.

A Qualifying Zone franche Person must maintain adequate substance. A licence and flexi-desk without appropriate people, assets and activity may not support the desired treatment.

The zone franche's available activity descriptions may not cover every element of the proposed business.

Software development generally involves creating, coding, testing, modifying or maintaining software.

IT consultancy generally involves advising customers on technology systems, architecture, implementation, security, transformation or process improvement.

A company may perform both, but it should obtain both activities where required.

The distinction matters because:

A SaaS company provides access to hosted software. A software trader or reseller may buy and resell third-party software licences.

A reseller should consider:

A company should not register only as a software developer if its main business is reselling licences developed by another provider.

The fondateurs should decide who will own:

Ownership should be supported by:

Paying a developer does not always resolve every ownership issue automatically. The contract should expressly allocate IP rights.

A zone franche company is within the EAU Impôt sur les sociétés regime. It does not receive an automatic exemption.

To be treated as a Qualifying Zone franche Person, the company must satisfy requirements including:

The Federal Tax Authority's Zone franche Persons Guide identifies copyrighted software as a form of Qualifying Intellectual Property.

However, this does not mean every dirham of SaaS revenue automatically benefits from a 0% Impôt sur les sociétés rate.

The rules use a nexus approach. The qualifying amount is connected to the research-and-development expenditure incurred to develop the relevant IP.

The company may need to track:

Income exceeding the amount determined under the applicable formula, and income from non-qualifying intellectual property, may be subject to 9% Impôt sur les sociétés.

Trademarks and other marketing-related intellectual property are not treated as Qualifying Intellectual Property merely because they are owned by a zone franche company.

A SaaS subscription can include several economic components:

The contract and accounting records should distinguish material revenue streams where their tax treatment or delivery differs.

Simply describing all revenue as "software services" or "licence income" may not reflect the true arrangement.

A software company should maintain records supporting:

EAU TVA may apply to software development, software licences, subscriptions and electronically supplied services.

A EAU-resident business must generally register for TVA when its taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 over the previous 12 months or are expected to exceed that threshold within the next 30 jours. Voluntary registration may be available above AED 187,500, subject to the conditions.

The applicable TVA treatment depends on factors including:

A foreign customer does not automatically make the supply zero-rated. Every condition for zero-rating must be satisfied.

A TVA-registered EAU SaaS company will generally need to charge TVA on taxable subscriptions supplied aux EAU, subject to the applicable place-of-supply rules.

Selling software internationally can create tax obligations outside the EAU.

A EAU licence does not replace conformité in the countries where customers receive the software.

A software company may act as:

The EAU's federal personal-data protection framework regulates the processing of personal data, subject to its scope and exemptions. DIFC and ADGM operate separate data-protection regimes within their respective jurisdictions.

A SaaS company should address:

The correct data-protection framework depends on where the entity is established, where processing occurs and which customers and individuals are affected.

Cloud software commonly transfers personal data between:

Contracts and policies may need to cover:

Customers in regulated sectors may impose stricter localisation or security requirements.

Enterprise and government customers may request recognised security certifications, independent audit reports or detailed security questionnaires.

Some software businesses require more than an ordinary technology licence.

Additional regulation may apply when the platform involves:

Calling a business "technology" does not remove sector-specific regulation.

A fintech platform, for example, may require financial regulatory assessment even if it does not directly hold customer funds.

It should also address:

The right office arrangement depends on the company's team, visa needs, customer expectations and tax position.

A small SaaS startup may begin with a co-working or serviced-office package where permitted. A larger development company may require a dedicated office with sufficient capacity for its team.

A flexi-desk alone does not establish that every substantive requirement is satisfied.

Both mainland and zone franche companies may sponsor eligible owners and employees, subject to their licence, establishment registration, premises and available quota.

A technology company may require visas for:

Software companies may face detailed conformité reviews because their revenue is digital and international.

Banks and payment providers may request:

A EAU company licence does not guarantee a bank account, merchant account or payment gateway.

Fondateurs expecting external investment should consider:

The lowest-cost incorporation package may not offer the best structure for institutional investment.

Before incorporation, fondateurs should understand whether their preferred investors require a particular jurisdiction, holding-company arrangement or constitutional framework.

A mainland structure may be preferable when:

A zone franche may be preferable when:

The fondateurs are prepared to assess the Zone franche Impôt sur les sociétés conditions properly.

A growing technology group may use:

It should be used only when the commercial advantages justify the additional burden.

Document what the software does, who uses it, how customers access it and whether it enters a regulated sector.

Separate subscriptions, licences, implementation, customisation, support, training, resale and hardware income.

Estimate the proportion of revenue expected from:

Identify where management, development, customer support, sales and implementation teams will work.

Choose accurate software, consultancy, portal, cloud, trading or technical activities.

Confirm whether financial, healthcare, educational, telecommunications or other sector approval is needed.

Review licence scope, customer access, office, visas, banking, tax, investor expectations and annual cost.

Complete trade-name approval, incorporation documents, licensing, office arrangements and establishment registration.

Execute founder, employee and contractor agreements ensuring the company owns or validly licenses the software.

Register for Impôt sur les sociétés, assess TVA, create subscription accounting and establish IP-expenditure tracking.

Prepare customer terms, privacy notices, data-processing agreements, acceptable-use rules and security procedures.

Apply for a business account and suitable recurring-payment facilities with complete commercial documentation.

The total cost may include:

Costs vary significantly between jurisdictions and packages. Fixed prices should not be quoted without confirming the activities, actionnaires, office and visa requirements.

A straightforward non-regulated software company may be incorporated relatively quickly when its documents and activities are clear.

Banking, payment processing and regulated-sector approvals should not be represented as guaranteed within a fixed timeframe.

Technology supporting payments, healthcare or investments may still be regulated.

Unclear ownership can create serious problems during investment, banking, customer due diligence or sale of the company.

Each developer should transfer the necessary rights and protect confidential information.

International SaaS sales can create TVA, sales-tax or registration obligations abroad.

Implementation, hosting, support and licensing elements may require separate analysis.

A basic privacy-policy template does not replace a complete data and security framework.

Service-level and security statements should be accurate and measurable.

A hybrid structure can be valuable, but unnecessary entities increase annual costs and conformité.

Before choosing mainland or zone franche, confirm:

A mainland company is generally the stronger option for a software business built around EAU implementation projects, customer-site work, government procurement or substantial local operations.

A zone franche company is often attractive for an internationally focused SaaS platform, proprietary software developer, remote technology business or regional headquarters—particularly where the fondateurs value a technology ecosystem and can maintain genuine zone franche substance.

However, a zone franche should not be selected solely because of assumptions about 0% Impôt sur les sociétés, and a mainland company should not be selected solely because it appears to offer unrestricted trading. The decision should reflect the company's revenue, intellectual property, employees, customers and operating locations.

KPM Global Services LLC can help fondateurs establish a legally appropriate and commercially workable software or SaaS company aux EAU.

Our assistance may include:

KPM Global Services does not guarantee licences, regulatory approvals, bank accounts, payment gateways, investment or tax outcomes. Final decisions remain with the relevant autorités and service providers.

A zone franche may suit an internationally focused SaaS platform operating remotely, while mainland may be better for a company focused on EAU implementation projects, customer-site work and government contracts. The right choice depends on the complete operating model.

Full foreign ownership is available for many mainland and zone franche software activities. Restrictions must still be checked for the exact activity and any regulated sector.

3. What licence does a SaaS company need à Dubaï?

The licence may include software development, software publishing, portal operation, IT consultancy, cloud services or related activities. The correct selection depends on how the product is developed, hosted and sold.

It may sell subscriptions to EAU customers, subject to its licence, the nature and location of the activity, mainland operating requirements, TVA and any sector regulation.

This depends on the activity, project and licensing arrangement. Where a mainland operating presence is created, a branch or permit may be required. Site and professional requirements may also apply.

Eligible companies may apply under Dubaï's mainland operating framework. Technology was included among the initial non-regulated activity categories, but the exact activity and current eligibility list must be checked.

The premises requirement depends on the licensing authority, activity, visa quota and staffing plan. Some free zones offer shared or serviced-office options, while larger operations may require dedicated premises.

Yes, it falls within the Impôt sur les sociétés regime. A Qualifying Zone franche Person may receive 0% on Qualifying Income, but other income may be taxable at 9%, and all qualifying conditions must be satisfied.

Copyrighted software can constitute Qualifying Intellectual Property under the Zone franche Impôt sur les sociétés rules. The qualifying income must be determined using the applicable nexus approach and supported by development-expenditure records.

Marketing-related intellectual property such as trademarks is not included within Qualifying Intellectual Property merely because it is owned by a zone franche company.

Not necessarily. A subscription may include software access, hosting, support, implementation and other services. The legal agreement and economic substance must be reviewed.

A EAU-resident business must generally register when taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 or are expected to exceed that amount within the specified period. Voluntary registration may be available above AED 187,500.

No. The supply must satisfy all conditions for zero-rating. Customer location alone is insufficient.

Possibly. Digital services can create TVA, GST, sales-tax or other obligations in customer jurisdictions. Each target market must be reviewed.

Normally, the operating or designated IP-owning company should possess clear ownership or licensing rights. Founder, employee and contractor agreements must support that position.

Yes, subject to appropriate employment or contractor arrangements. The contracts should cover IP ownership, confidentiality, security, tax responsibility and data access.

Potentially, but the bank will assess the business model, fondateurs, countries served, source of funds and expected transactions. Approval is not guaranteed.

Potentially. Payment providers apply their own licensing, ownership, product, risk and website requirements. Some business models receive enhanced review.

It may. If the platform performs or facilitates regulated financial activity, approval may be required even if the company describes itself as a software provider.

It depends on investor preferences, share-structure requirements and exit plans. Some zone franche jurisdictions are popular with startups, but the structure should be reviewed before incorporation.

Yes. Propriété de propriété intellectuelle is not restricted to zone franche companies. The ownership must be legally documented and supported by contracts and development records.

Possibly, depending on the tender and the company's licensing position. Some procurements may require a mainland licence, vendor registration, security certification or local premises.

No. The need depends on where and how it operates. A remotely delivered subscription model may differ from recurring on-site implementation and support.

Only where commercial, investment, liability or tax considerations justify the additional complexity. Related-party agreements and transfer pricing must be managed correctly.

KPM Global Services can review the product, activities, customer markets, team, IP, tax position and growth plans before comparing suitable mainland and zone franche options.