DIFC and DIEZA Announce Relief Measures for Businesses

Two of Dubai’s most prominent business communities have this week introduced temporary economic support measures, adding to the broader wave of relief efforts already announced across Dubai.

The measures cover businesses within DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) and across the three free zones managed by DIEZA (Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority). Both packages are effective immediately. Here is what you need to know.

Relief for DIFC Businesses and Retailers

DIFC has introduced a set of temporary measures designed to ease short-term financial and operational pressures on businesses and retailers within the freezone.

Businesses can access flexible payment plans for both commercial and retail obligations, as well as instalment options specifically for licence renewal fees. Retailers receive additional targeted support on top of the general measures.

Grace periods are also being extended on certain administrative payments. This applies to obligations related to lease contracts, the RoC (Registrar of Companies), the DPD (Data Protection Department), and the registration of employees into DEWS (Dirhams for End-of-Service). If your business has upcoming administrative deadlines in any of these areas, it is worth confirming the revised timelines directly with the relevant DIFC department.

Separately, the DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) is introducing temporary regulatory relief for firms currently going through the authorisation process, as well as for existing regulated entities operating within DIFC. If your business is licensed or being licensed under DFSA oversight, this may affect your near-term compliance obligations.

DIEZ Measures Across Three Free Zones

DIEZ has announced a package of flexible economic measures covering all companies within its integrated ecosystem, which includes DAFZ (Dubai Airport Freezone), DSO (Dubai Silicon Oasis), and DCC (Dubai CommerCity). The measures are effective immediately and reflect a similar intent to the broader Dubai government relief packages announced earlier this week.

Among the most practical measures for businesses is the option to pay rent in monthly instalments, with any fees associated with those instalments fully waived. Rental rates will also be stabilised at current levels upon contract renewal, which gives businesses greater certainty when planning the months ahead.

On licensing and administrative matters, the measures include a waiver of late licence renewal penalties until conditions stabilise, offering relief to businesses that may be behind on renewals. There is also a three-month deferral of shareholder amendment fees, alongside a waiver of fees related to company restructuring and authorised capital amendments. These steps are particularly relevant if your business is in the process of restructuring or adjusting its ownership structure.

Businesses looking to expand or realign their licensed activities will also benefit from a three-month deferral of fees related to licence activity amendments. This gives companies more room to adapt their scope of operations without incurring immediate costs.