GetSmartPromo
Compare jurisdictions
UAE Free Zone (MEYDAN) · via Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)·🇩🇪Founder profile

MEYDAN via Shuraa — German Indie Developers

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityConditional
Setup timeline14–45days
Year-1 total$7,500

Shuraa manages coordinated MEYDAN setup for German developers relocating to Dubai — license, visa, bank, and UAE tax registration through one advisor. Without personal relocation, AStG CFC eliminates the tax benefit.

Under Federal Decree-Law 47/2022, UAE CT applies 9% above AED 375,000 taxable income. Free Zone Person meeting substance retains 0% on qualifying income.

Germany side: Wegzugbesteuerung (§6 AStG) applies to unrealized gains on shareholding leaving Germany; AO §138 Anzeigepflicht filing due within one month of formation.

§ 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
$12,000
$500.00/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupShuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC) setup
    $7,500
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $4,500
Total$12,000
§ 02Tax residency · German Indie Developers

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

UAE MEYDAN FZ under Federal Decree-Law 47 of 2022: 9% CT above AED 375,000 taxable income; Free Zone Person may retain 0% on qualifying income with adequate substance.

Home-country rule

AO §138 Anzeigepflicht (foreign entity disclosure); CFC rules

Editorial verdict

Shuraa handles MEYDAN + visa + bank end-to-end; only tax-efficient if German dev actually relocates and breaks German residency.

Key compliance risks
  • 01AStG CFC attribution if founder remains German tax resident
  • 02AO §138 Anzeigepflicht — notify Finanzamt within one month
  • 03Wegzugbesteuerung §6 AStG on unrealized gains when leaving Germany
  • 04UAE CT 9% above AED 375,000 taxable income
§ 03Setup timeline

From filing to funded bank account

Setup timeline
14–45days total, 3 phases
Milestone check
Filing · Tax ID · Banking
d0
d11
d23
d34
d45
01FilingShuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC) 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

No — Shuraa handles UAE setup only. German Wegzugbesteuerung planning is your Steuerberater's work: valuation of shares at exit date, deemed disposal calculation, deferral requests. Coordinate the Steuerberater with your Shuraa consultant on timing.

Next step

Start filing with Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)

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