Overview
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) is the Middle East’s first and largest free zone dedicated entirely to healthcare and medical education. Established in 2002, DHCC spans two phases located in the Oud Metha area and the Al Jaddaf waterfront district. The zone hosts over 170 clinical and non-clinical partners, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, diagnostic centres, pharmaceutical companies, and medical education institutions. DHCC operates under its own health regulatory body.
Key Sectors
DHCC serves hospitals and multi-specialty clinics, dental practices, diagnostic imaging centres, pharmaceutical companies, medical device distributors, health insurance providers, wellness and rehabilitation centres, medical education and training institutions, and healthcare IT firms. Phase 2 at Al Jaddaf expands into wellness, hospitality, and residential segments.
Setup Process
Establishing a clinical facility in DHCC requires dual approvals: a commercial licence from the DHCC Authority and a clinical licence from the Dubai Healthcare City Authority - Regulatory (DHCR). The clinical licensing process involves demonstrating professional qualifications, submitting facility specifications, meeting health and safety standards, and passing an inspection. Non-clinical healthcare businesses follow a standard commercial registration process. Setup timelines range from four weeks for non-clinical entities to three months or more for clinical operations.
Costs and Licensing
DHCC commercial licence fees start at approximately AED 20,000 per year. Clinical licensing involves additional regulatory fees depending on the type of practice and number of practitioners. Medical office space in Phase 1 ranges from AED 130 to AED 200 per square foot per year. Purpose-built hospital shells and larger clinical spaces in Phase 2 are available at negotiated rates. Medical equipment, fit-out, and compliance costs are additional considerations for clinical operations.
Benefits
DHCC offers zero corporate and personal income tax for qualifying activities, 100 percent foreign ownership, full profit repatriation, an independent healthcare regulatory framework, and a concentrated medical ecosystem that drives patient referrals between co-located practitioners. The zone’s regulatory body ensures international standards of clinical governance.
Ownership Rules
Foreign investors may own 100 percent of DHCC entities, including clinical practices. No local sponsor or partner is required. Licensed healthcare professionals can operate as sole practitioners, partnerships, or companies within the zone.
Tax Regime
Qualifying DHCC companies benefit from zero percent corporate tax under the UAE free zone framework. No personal income tax applies. Medical services may be exempt from VAT under certain categories, while standard five percent VAT applies to other taxable supplies.
Infrastructure
DHCC Phase 1 in Oud Metha features medical office buildings, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre, pharmacies, diagnostic labs, and retail facilities. Phase 2 at Al Jaddaf is a larger mixed-use development on the Dubai Creek waterfront, incorporating medical facilities, wellness centres, residential towers, hotels, and retail. Both phases connect to major roads and Dubai Metro.
Ideal Investor Profile
DHCC is ideal for healthcare providers, hospital groups, specialist clinics, dental practices, pharmaceutical distributors, medical device companies, health-tech firms, and medical education institutions seeking a regulated healthcare environment in Dubai with a built-in referral network and international clinical standards.