Knowledge and innovation fees in Dubai: the 20 AED on your free zone bill
By Malik, Founder · Prices checked
A small line on many Dubai free zone invoices, 20 AED, rarely explained. Here is what it is, where it comes from, and which zones print it.
What the knowledge and innovation fees are
The Government of Dubai levies a knowledge fee of 10 AED and an innovation fee of 10 AED on government transactions, 20 AED in all. The knowledge fee funds educational and cultural projects; the innovation fee goes to the Dubai Future Foundation. They are often called the Knowledge Dirham and the Innovation Dirham.
The legal basis and when they apply
They rest on Dubai Law No. 1 of 2018 on the Knowledge Dirham fee and Law No. 2 of 2018 on the Innovation Dirham fee. The Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, for example, applies them since 15 November 2022 to each service fee of 50 AED or more, fees and fines included.
Source: PCFC circular FIN-C-02, collection of knowledge and innovation fees
Free zones that show them in their prices
Dubai free zones add them as one line of 20 AED, sometimes inside the package price, sometimes on top. Here is what each zone prints, as read on its price list.
Outside Dubai
These are fees of the Government of Dubai. We have not seen them in the published price lists of the free zones of Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain or Abu Dhabi.
This figure is not published by every free zone. Ask them: fill in the questionnaire once, and we come back to you with the figure of the free zone you pick.
Questions
How much are the knowledge and innovation fees in Dubai?
Do I pay them in a Dubai free zone?
Are they charged outside Dubai?
All prices and terms come from the free zones and may change at any time without prior notice. Free Zone Radar cannot be held responsible for any change, error or omission. Always confirm the final price and terms in writing before you sign or pay.
