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Dubai Healthcare City Free Zone Company Setup

Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) is the UAE's dedicated medical and healthcare free zone. Preferred for clinics, hospitals, diagnostic centres, pharma, medical device trading and healthcare consulting, with its own regulator (DHCR) and licensing authority (CPQ).

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100% foreign ownership
Packages from AED 25,000
Visa and bank account handled
Fast licence issuance

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Why Dubai Healthcare City?

UAE's dedicated healthcare free zone with over 160 clinical facilities on site

Own regulator: Dubai Healthcare City Regulatory (DHCR) with Centre for Professional Qualifications (CPQ)

Licensed activities include clinics, hospitals, diagnostic centres, pharma trading, medical devices, telehealth, health consulting

Allows 100 percent foreign ownership of healthcare businesses (not available on mainland for some medical activities)

Multi-specialty medical campus near Al Jaddaf, close to Downtown Dubai and Al Garhoud

Strong insurance network: most major UAE health insurers in-network at DHCC facilities

Activities covered

Dubai Healthcare City is set up for these business types. Pick one or combine within the same group under one licence.

Outpatient clinics (dental, derma, aesthetic, GP, specialty)

Hospitals and day surgery centres

Diagnostic laboratories and imaging centres

Pharmaceutical trading and distribution

Medical devices trading and manufacturing

Health consulting and advisory

Telehealth and digital health platforms

Visas and office

Visa quota tied to office or clinical footprint. Clinical staff additionally need CPQ professional licensing before practicing.

Flexi-desk included in base package

Visa quota scales with office size

Private offices available for larger teams

Residence visas for shareholders, employees and family

Banking

DHCC companies onboard with Emirates NBD, Mashreq and FAB, usually in 15 to 25 working days. Clinical trade licences are well-recognised in banking compliance.

Pre-matched to the bank most likely to approve your file

Compliance file prepared end to end by Breeo

Multi-currency and merchant accounts arranged on request

Audit and tax

Mandatory annual audit for all DHCC entities.

UAE corporate tax at 9% above AED 375,000 profit

Qualifying Free Zone Person 0% rate available on qualifying income

VAT at 5% above AED 375,000 turnover (if applicable)

Breeo handles registration, filing and compliance

Frequently asked questions

What activities does DHCC cover?

Clinical (clinics, hospitals, labs), commercial (pharma trading, medical devices), consulting (healthcare strategy, telehealth) and educational (medical training) activities. Non-healthcare activities are not licensed.

Do medical professionals need separate licensing?

Yes. Doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals require individual CPQ licences in addition to the facility's DHCC licence. CPQ assesses qualifications, credentials and experience.

What is the cost of a DHCC clinic setup?

Facility licence AED 25,000 to AED 50,000 per year depending on activity. Clinic fit-out AED 500,000 to AED 2 million+ for a small to medium clinic. CPQ licence per practitioner AED 3,000 to AED 7,000.

Can a non-healthcare consulting firm set up in DHCC?

Only if the consulting activity is healthcare-focused (health strategy, medical insurance consulting, hospital management). General consulting goes to IFZA, Meydan or DMCC.

How does DHCC compare to Dubai mainland DHA licensing?

DHCC licensing is faster and offers 100 percent foreign ownership on clinical setups. Mainland Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licences allow serving broader Dubai population without zone restrictions but need an Emirati partner for some activities.

Set up in Dubai Healthcare City with Breeo

Tell us your activity and visa count and we will send today's exact Dubai Healthcare City package with no hidden extras.

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