Fees and steps checked on
VAT registration with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) is free. If you use a setup agency, published prices run from AED 199 to AED 2,500. Free zones list their own services for licensees: RAKEZ at AED 1,249, Meydan at AED 1,500, and SPC Free Zone at AED 1,500 or AED 3,000. Prices checked .
Prices by provider
| Provider | Fee shown | Turnaround or note |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax Authority | No fee | You apply on EmaraTax |
| 3 setup agencies | AED 199 to AED 2,500 | The lowest is a promotion; another lists a higher entry price |
| RAKEZ | AED 1,249 | 15 to 20 working days |
| Meydan Free Zone | AED 1,500 | One-time service |
| SPC Free Zone | AED 1,500 | 28 business days |
| SPC Free Zone | AED 3,000 | 14 business days, fast track |
The SPC prices show a pattern you will see elsewhere: speed costs money. Check what the faster tier changes. The FTA still decides how long your application takes, so a fast track may only speed up preparation.
When you have to register
You must apply if your taxable supplies and imports went above AED 375,000 over the previous 12 months, or you expect them to exceed it in the next 30 days. You have 30 days from the day the duty starts. Voluntary registration is possible from AED 187,500.
Source: Federal Tax Authority, registration for VAT, checked .
The details are on VAT registration in the UAE. This page only covers the cost.
What the cost of delay can be
Registering late brings a penalty of AED 10,000. For comparison, the highest agency fee published here is AED 2,500 and the highest free zone figure is AED 3,000. A firm fee is usually small next to a missed deadline. Cabinet Decision No. 129 changed many VAT penalty tables from , so confirm the figure on the current FTA table.
Source: Federal Tax Authority, administrative penalties for VAT, checked . See also VAT penalties.
What an agency fee should cover
Ask whether the fee includes FTA correspondence, a second submission if the FTA asks for changes, and the VAT certificate itself. Ask for the regular price if the one you see is a promotion. Registration is only the start, because returns follow (see VAT return filing). Keep your own EmaraTax login.
DIY or agency
If your company has a clean licence, your documents are ready and you are comfortable with the portal, doing it yourself costs nothing. If your records are messy, your activity is mixed or you are unsure whether you are over the threshold, paying for a check can be cheaper than a wrong application. Use the accounting cost hub to compare other costs.
Time and cost together
A free zone service lists a time as well as a price. RAKEZ shows 15 to 20 working days. SPC shows 28 business days for the standard service and 14 for the fast track. If you need the VAT number to sign a contract, the time may matter more than a difference of a few hundred dirhams. If you are not in a hurry, the cheaper tier is usually enough.
After you register
Registration brings duties: returns on the FTA schedule, tax invoices, and records kept for the period the law sets. Ask any provider what it will do after you have a number. See record keeping rules for the retention periods.
Checking whether you need to register at all
Before paying anyone, work out your position. Add up taxable supplies and imports for the last 12 months and estimate the next 30 days. If both are under AED 375,000, registration is not mandatory, although you may register voluntarily from AED 187,500. A firm can run this check for you, and some do it free as part of a quote.
Source: Federal Tax Authority, registration for VAT, checked .
