Company formation

Mainland, QFC or Free Zone: Where to Set Up Your Company in Qatar

Published: 2026-11-10Information last verified: 10 November 2026

Qatar offers three routes for setting up a company: the mainland through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry with fees in Qatari riyals, the Qatar Financial Centre with a USD 500 application fee and USD 5,000 a year for one activity, and the free zones with 100% foreign ownership and a renewable 20-year tax exemption. The right choice depends on the activity and on who your customers are.

Key points

Mainland: licensed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry through the Single Window, with fees in QAR.
QFC: standard application fee USD 500, annual fee USD 5,000 for one licensed activity, USD 50 per additional activity.
A non-regulated QFC limited liability company has no minimum share capital.
Free zones: 100% foreign ownership, a renewable 20-year tax exemption and zero customs duties.
Free zone fees are not published on the authority's website and are set with the licence application.
QFC entities are taxed at 10% of taxable profit under the QFC tax regime.

Mainland: the Ministry of Commerce and Industry

This is the general route for anyone who wants to trade in the local market. Formation is a comprehensive application on the Single Window. The published approximate time is two to three days and the published approximate government cost is QAR 1,700.

Foreign ownership of up to 100% is available in most activities under Law No. 1 of 2019, except banks, insurance companies and commercial agencies. The minimum share capital of an LLC is QAR 1,000.

Commercial registration QAR 500 for the first activity and QAR 300 for each additional activity.
Trade licence QAR 500. It needs premises with a title deed or a valid lease.
Income tax of 10% on taxable income under Law No. 24 of 2018.

Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)

The QFC is a separate licensing authority with its own rules and fees in US dollars. The figures below are published on the QFC website.

Standard licence application fee: USD 500.
Application fee for designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBP): USD 2,000.
Annual fee for one licensed activity: USD 5,000, plus USD 50 for each additional activity.
Non-regulated limited liability company: no minimum share capital and at least one shareholder.
A director, a company secretary and a senior executive function are required, with a registered office in approved premises.
Optional Elite Onboarding packages: USD 3,000, 5,000 or 10,000.

Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ)

The Qatar Free Zones Authority licenses companies separately from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It publishes the following on its website:

100% foreign ownership.
A 20-year tax exemption, renewable.
Zero customs duties.
Online process: application, company identification, then licensing.
Registration and licence fees and timelines are not published on the site and are set with the licence application.

How to choose

No route is best for everyone. Start from the activity. For trading or services in the local market, the mainland is the direct route. If your activity is one the QFC licenses, compare its annual dollar fee with mainland fees. If you are considering a free zone, ask the authority for its fee quote before deciding, because its fees are not published.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the mainland and the QFC?

The mainland is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with fees in Qatari riyals paid through the Single Window. The QFC is a separate licensing authority with fees in US dollars: USD 500 for the standard licence application and USD 5,000 a year for one activity.

How much does it cost to set up a company in the QFC?

The standard licence application fee is USD 500 (USD 2,000 for designated non-financial businesses and professions). The annual fee is USD 5,000 for one licensed activity, plus USD 50 for each additional activity.

Are Qatar free zones tax exempt?

The Qatar Free Zones Authority states that companies there benefit from a renewable 20-year tax exemption, 100% foreign ownership and zero customs duties.

Is there a minimum share capital in the QFC?

A non-regulated limited liability company in the QFC has no minimum share capital.

Legal and official references

Government fees may change by decision of the competent authority and are confirmed when the application is filed. This article is general information, not legal advice.