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Running a business in the UK has gotten harder. The metaphor, from the frying pan to the fire could be apt here as new corporate tax rates saw a rise to 25%. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs in Dubai are riding the wave of benefits. From zero taxes in Free Zones, access to markets across three continents, and retaining a larger share of their earnings. Dubai’s growth is undeniable, with 58,680 new jobs created from foreign investment in 2024, representing a 51% increase from the previous year.
Over 90% of government services are digitised, making it simple to set up a company from your laptop. So, what’s really changing in 2025? Now, you can own 100% of your business, with no UAE partner required and no need to share ownership. That’s full control, fewer barriers, and endless potential for anyone looking for the best business in Dubai to start this year.
Let’s explore what’s working now for the UK entrepreneur in this blog.
The UK lost 10,000 millionaires in 2024. Many were under 35. They weren’t leaving because of the weather (though that helped). But here’s what they were running from:
What they’re running toward in Dubai:
Additionally, the UAE has ranked number one in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor for four consecutive years.
The UAE e-commerce market is valued at $11.05 billion in 2025. Projections show it will hit $20.54 billion by 2030, that is an 85% increase in five years.
Internet penetration in the UAE sits above 99%. Smartphone adoption matches that level. The payment infrastructure is already built and working smoothly.
Why this opportunity is real:
The market penetration rate is only 66.1%. Compare that to the UK at 90%+, and you see the growth potential. UAE consumers are ready to buy online, but many sectors remain underserved.
Cross-border e-commerce is particularly strong. You can import products from the UK, source from Asia, and sell across the entire Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market that’s 57 million people with high purchasing power. What’s actually selling:
Business models that work for Britons
Set up requirements for the UK entrepreneur:
That’s full control, fewer barriers, and endless potential for anyone looking for the best business in Dubai to start this year.
The UAE fintech industry is worth $3.56 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to $6.43 billion by the year 2030, with an 80% growth rate. That’s a compound annual growth rate of 12.56%, making it one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) currently has more than 1,500 fintech and AI businesses. These businesses have attracted a combined amount of over $4.2 billion in investment. Dubai is the fourth-best fintech hub in the world, preceded only by New York, London, and Singapore.
This might be the best company to start in Dubai for finance or payments background entrepreneurs. Demand for digital banking, payment platforms, and wealth platforms is surging, and the local environment fully supports innovation.
The regulatory environment is sophisticated but innovation friendly. DIFC operates under English Common Law with independent courts, familiar territory for UK entrepreneurs. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) actively supports fintech through its accelerator and innovation testing license.
The Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) project is live. The Dubai Blockchain Strategy aims to transition all government services onto blockchain by 2025. These aren’t just announcements; they’re creating actual commercial opportunities.
High-growth fintech segments
Payment processing and digital wallets:
Digital banking and neo-banks:
Wealth management platforms:
Blockchain and crypto services:
Insurtech:
What are the requirements and reality check
You need regulatory approval. Minimum capital requirements vary:
You also need proven experience. The regulators check backgrounds thoroughly. If you’ve worked in UK fintech or financial services, you have credibility. If you haven’t, you’ll struggle to get licensed.
Timeline: 3-6 months for full regulatory approval and licensing.
Healthcare spending in the UAE is expected to reach £25 billion by 2027, according to the Dubai Healthcare City Authority. That represents a 7.5% annual growth rate, the highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The drivers include an aging population (including expatriates staying longer), rising health awareness, strong consumer spending power, and government investment in healthcare infrastructure.
What’s actually working for health and well-being in Dubai?
Specialized medical clinics
Healthcare City offers dedicated zones for medical businesses with streamlined licensing. You get proximity to other healthcare providers and access to shared infrastructure.
Mental health services
This sector is genuinely underserved. Cultural stigma is decreasing, especially among younger generations. Demand for:
Current supply doesn’t meet demand. A UK-trained therapist or psychologist can establish a practice relatively easily, with session rates ranging from £108-£323.
Fitness and wellness
The fitness market is projected to grow 8.2% annually through 2028. What’s working:
Premium positioning works. Dubai residents pay £100-200 monthly for boutique gym memberships without hesitation.
Health food and organic products
Organic food sales growing 12% annually. The market is still relatively small, so early movers capture significant market share.
Opportunities include:
Pet care services (surprising but significant)
Pet ownership has increased 40% since 2020. The market is now valued at over $400 million annually.
Services in demand:
Current providers can’t keep up with demand. A well-run pet care business can achieve profitability within 6-9 months.
What are the setup costs?
What are the licensing requirements?
Healthcare professionals need DHA (Dubai Health Authority) licensing. Process takes 4-8 weeks. UK qualifications are recognised but need verification and attestation.
Dubai’s real estate market has hit record levels in 2025. Sales reached nearly £101billion in the first nine months of 2025 across 155,000 deals, a 33.7% annual increase.
In 2024, the total transactions reached AED 761 billion, setting a record. In 2025, that amount is expected to be surpassed significantly.
Why does the growth continue for this business sector?
The population increased by 5% in 2024. Dubai attracted 110,000 new real estate investors, a 55% increase. Residential sales prices rose 20% in 2024, with rental rates up 19%.
Median price per square foot nearly doubled from £173 in 2020 to £ 341in Q3 2025. That’s sustained appreciation, not a bubble.
Where UK entrepreneurs fit?
Direct property development requires significant capital and local partnerships. For UK entrepreneurs, service-based opportunities like property management, vacation rentals, and proptech platforms are among the best business in Dubai for beginners scalable, high-margin, and easy to manage remotely. But several service-based opportunities exist:
Property management:
Dubai has thousands of landlords (many overseas investors) who need professional management. Services needed:
Property management typically charges 5-8% of annual rental value. A portfolio of 50 properties generating AED 2 million in yearly rent yields £21,500-£34,400 annually.
Vacation rental management:
Dubai welcomed 17.15 million overnight visitors in 2024. Short-term rental demand is strong year-round. Operating a vacation rental business involves:
Returns: Well-managed vacation rentals in Business Bay, Dubai Marina, or Downtown can generate 8-12% net yields.
Requirements: Dubai Tourism license and property must be registered for short-term rentals. One-bedroom apartments in prime locations rent for £86-£172 per night.
Real estate technology platforms:
What are the setup costs for Britons?
Dubai is a world events destination and has the facilities to support it. Dubai welcomes more than 400 international conferences and exhibitions every year. If you possess creative or managerial skills, then this is the best business in Dubai to venture into with good personal branding.
Corporate events and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions)
Business events are a £1.04 billion annual industry in Dubai. Businesses of all kinds require professional event management.
What corporate customers require:
Pricing: Corporate events between AED 50,000 for a low-key conference and AED 500,000+ for high-end productions. Margins of 20-30% are typical.
Destination weddings
Dubai receives thousands of destination weddings each year, and they mainly come from India, Pakistan, the UK, and Eastern Europe.
Average wedding budget: £32,250-£107,500.
UK wedding planners provide professional expertise in Western-style weddings that most local planners do not have.
What’s required:
Commission rate structure: 10-15% of total wedding budget.
Catering services
The catering industry is fragmented. Good quality caterers that can produce high volumes with consistency are required. Opportunities:
Concepts with a unique twist:
Restaurant industry is competitive but high-quality concepts prevail. Population growth generates 150,000-200,000 new potential diners every year.
What works:
Initial setup cost: £107,500-£430,000 (AED 500,000-2 million) for a complete restaurant. Cloud kitchen concepts lower this to £21,500-£64,500 (AED 100,000-300,000).
Requirements:
Dubai isn’t a magic bullet. It’s not going to make a failing business successful. It won’t turn a bad idea into a good one. Every success story in Dubai starts the same way with a single decision to begin.
For years, UK entrepreneurs dreamed of warmer horizons and fairer rules, and now, Dubai offers both. The city’s blend of opportunity, innovation, and lifestyle has turned it into a magnet for those ready to start something of their own.
Whether you’re building an e-commerce brand from your laptop, opening a fitness studio that inspires others, or managing properties that tell stories of growth, Dubai gives you the stage.
The best business to open in Dubai isn’t just about profit. It’s about freedom, the freedom to build something real, to work without limits, and to wake up knowing your hard work builds your future, not someone else’s.
For UK entrepreneurs standing at the edge of a new chapter, 2025- 2026 could be your turning point. Dubai isn’t just where business happens; it’s where ambition feels at home.
