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UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN) · via MEYDAN Free Zone·🇪🇸Founder profile

Meydan Free Zone Incorporation for Spanish Consultants

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityConditional
Setup timeline21–45days
Year-1 total$12,500

Meydan Free Zone offers a legal structure for independent consultants to operate under the UAE corporate tax regime. This setup requires compliance with both UAE federal regulations and Spanish tax residency obligations.

Founders must evaluate the interaction between the UAE 9% corporate tax rate and Spanish personal income tax laws, specifically regarding the Beckham Law regime.

§ 01Cost of ownership

Model the full outlay, not just the setup fee

Renewal costs sneak up on non-resident founders. Compare year-1 filing against a 3-year total to see the real bill.
Currency · USD (live FX)
2-year cost of ownership
$25,000
$1,042/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupMEYDAN Free Zone setup
    $12,500
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $12,500
Total$25,000
§ 02Tax residency · Spanish Nomad Consultants

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

UAE Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 imposes a 9% Corporate Tax on net income exceeding AED 375,000, with 0% VAT applicable to services exported outside the UAE.

Home-country rule

Beckham Law regime; autónomo alternative comparison

Editorial verdict

Consultants should compare the UAE 9% CT against the Spanish 'Beckham Law' (IRNR) 24% flat rate to determine if the tax savings justify the cost of maintaining a UAE Free Zone entity.

Key compliance risks
  • 01Spanish CFC (Controlled Foreign Corporation) rules may trigger tax liability in Spain.
  • 02Potential for Spanish tax authorities to classify the entity as having a 'Place of Effective Management' in Spain.
  • 03Requirement to maintain physical substance in the UAE to satisfy tax residency criteria.
§ 03Setup timeline

From filing to funded bank account

Setup timeline
21–45days total, 3 phases
Milestone check
Filing · Tax ID · Banking
d0
d11
d23
d34
d45
01FilingMEYDAN Free Zone submits formation docs
d0–d16
02Tax ID / EINLocal tax authority registration
d14–d34
03BankingBusiness account approved & funded
d27–d45
§ 04Head-to-head

UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN) vs US LLC (Wyoming)

UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN)
Free Zone LLC
US LLC (Wyoming)
LLC
Entity
Free Zone LLC
LLC
Setup cost
$1,306
$102.00
Annual
$1,306
$60.00
Local director
Remote OK
Remote OK
Physical presence
Remote OK
Remote OK
Tax regime
9% CT above AED 375k; 0% VAT for out-of-UAE trade
0% state tax; federal only on US-source income
§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

A UAE company provides a legal basis for tax residency, but you must obtain a UAE residence visa and spend at least 183 days in the UAE or meet specific 'center of vital interests' criteria to be considered a tax resident under the UAE-Spain Double Taxation Agreement.
Next step

Start filing with MEYDAN Free Zone

Formation typically completes in 2–3 weeks. Use the promo below, then click through to begin the checklist directly on the platform.