How to Start a UAE Company Remotely from Europe: A Step-by-Step Guide
Expanding your business to the UAE has never been easier—especially if you're based in Europe and want to avoid the hassle of travel. With 100% foreign ownership now available in most sectors, remote UAE company formation is a game‑changer for EU startups and SMEs. At EmirBase, we specialize in 100% remote setups for mainland, free zone, and offshore companies, handling everything from licensing to compliance.
CTA: Ready to start? Plan your setup in minutes or talk to an expert.
Why Choose Remote UAE Company Formation?
The UAE offers a business‑friendly environment with zero personal income tax, world‑class infrastructure, and fast licensing (often in days). For European founders, the best part? No in‑person visits required for most structures. Our digital workflow streamlines the process, ensuring you can launch your SaaS, consulting, e‑commerce, or services venture without friction.
Key benefits:
- 100% ownership in most sectors — no local partner required.
- Speed to license — often within 5–10 days depending on activity and zone.
- Remote onboarding — secure document uploads and guided KYC.
- Ongoing compliance — accounting, VAT and corporate tax handled for you.
Which Structure Fits Your Case?
- Free Zone: Ideal for international trade, SaaS, and exports. Generally fastest remote path.
- Mainland: Best for selling inside the UAE/GCC or hiring locally without limitations.
- Offshore (RAK ICC): Great for holding, IP and international trading (no local operations).
Unsure? Use our planner to compare free zone vs. mainland for your use case.
Step‑by‑Step Setup (Remote)
- Choose structure and activities
- We map your business model to permitted activities and a suitable free zone/mainland authority.
- Prepare documents (digitally)
- Passports, business plan/high‑level description, proof of address, and shareholding details.
- No notarization hassles for most cases — we guide EU‑compliant formats.
- Name reservation and approvals
- We submit the application to the authority (DED/MIE/free zone). You track status from your dashboard.
- License issuance (digital)
- Receive your trade license PDF. Next, we prepare banking and visas if required.
- Post‑launch compliance
- We set up bookkeeping, VAT registration (if applicable), and monthly reporting with reminders.