Dubai vs Sharjah Mainland License Cost Comparison
Sharjah sits 15 minutes from Dubai but costs 40-60% less in office rent. Dubai charges AED 8,000+ through its formula. Sharjah doesn't publish per-activity fees — you'll need to contact SEDD directly. The real question: does a Sharjah address hurt your business?
Our Verdict
Pick Sharjah for Dubai proximity at dramatically lower costs. Pick Dubai if your clients check your address.
Dubai
Sharjah
Our Analysis
Sharjah's value proposition is simple: you're 15 minutes from Dubai at a fraction of the cost. Office rents on Sharjah's Corniche or King Faisal Street run AED 20,000-40,000 annually — half to a third of equivalent Dubai space.
The downside: Sharjah doesn't publish per-activity DED fees. SEDD calculates costs based on your license type, legal form, and investor nationality mix. You need to contact them directly for a quote, which makes cost planning harder than Abu Dhabi's transparent per-activity pricing or Dubai's predictable formula.
What Sharjah does better than anyone: government approval data. Their digital portal lists which authority approves each of their 2,449 activities, whether foreign investment is allowed, and what compliance requirements apply. That transparency on the regulatory side partially compensates for the fee opacity.
Both emirates allow 100% foreign ownership. Sharjah is more conservative culturally — no alcohol licenses, different weekend (though this has aligned recently). For businesses that don't need a Dubai-facing address, Sharjah delivers Dubai-adjacent operations at Northern Emirates prices.
Fee Comparison: Shared Activities
1053 activities available in both emirates
Oil & Natural Gas Well Maintenance
Mining & Quarrying
Tomato Paste Manufacturing
Manufacturing
Potato Chips Manufacturing
Manufacturing
Fodder Manufacturing
Manufacturing
Paint Manufacturing
Manufacturing
Metal Tanks & Containers Repairing
Trading & Services
Typewriters & Calculators Repairing & Maintenance
Real Estate & Business Services
Light Duty Equipment & Engines Repairing
Trading & Services
Amusement Center Equipment Repairing & Maintenance
Trading & Services
Communication & Wireless System Equipment Installation
Construction & Contracting
Measuring Control System Installation and Repairing
Construction & Contracting
Power Generation Facilities & Distribution Systems Operation & Maintenance
Utilities & Energy
Sanitary Sewer Networks Maintenance
Personal & Social Services
Sea & Shore Cleaning Services
Personal & Social Services
Building Contracting
Construction & Contracting
Steel Constructions Contracting
Construction & Contracting
Pre-Fabricated Buildings Contracting
Construction & Contracting
Pre-Fabricated Concrete Houses Contracting
Construction & Contracting
Prestressed Concrete Contracting
Construction & Contracting
Meteorology Projects Contracting
Construction & Contracting
~ = estimated. Dubai fees assume AED 50,000 annual rent (base AED 8,000 + 5% rent). Ajman shows total mandatory DED fees (~AED 4,500). Exact fees vary.
Showing 20 detailed activity pages from 1053 shared activities
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FreeZoneCompare.comFrequently Asked Questions
Is Dubai or Sharjah cheaper for a mainland license?
Pick Sharjah for Dubai proximity at dramatically lower costs. Pick Dubai if your clients check your address.
How many activities are available in both Dubai and Sharjah?
We track 1053 business activities available in both Dubai and Sharjah for direct fee comparison.
Can foreigners own 100% of a mainland company in Dubai and Sharjah?
Yes. Both Dubai and Sharjah allow 100% foreign ownership for most business activities since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms. No local sponsor is required.
How does the fee structure differ between Dubai and Sharjah?
Dubai: Base license fee + 5% of annual office rent. Normal License base ~AED 8,000. Instant License AED 8,0. Sharjah: Fees calculated per-license based on license type, legal form, investor mix, and selected activities.
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