What is a Flexi Desk in Dubai? A Complete Guide for UAE Business Setup

What is a flexi-desk?

Flexi desk is typical to the UAE name of a shared office, which has to be assigned to any company upon its registration. It is a workspace in a business center or coworking space that serves to fulfill the requirement for a company's physical address. 

The legal status and specific conditions of a flexi desk depend on the emirate, the chosen free zone, and the requirements of the relevant regulator, such as Dubai Economy & Tourism (DET)

If you are doing business setup in Dubai or any other emirate, flexi desk office will come as a part of your company registration package by default. 

Other names of flexi desk can be the following: hot desk, flexi office, smart desk or business center desk. Such a desk is a minimal requirement of UAE government to any company that is registered in the UAE.

Can you register a UAE company without a flexi desk?

You cannot start a business in the UAE without at least some kind of a physical facility - that is why flexi desk is obligatory.

In case you want to rent an executive office, flexi desk requirement will be waived and you will not have to rent it. The condition of a physical space for your company will be fulfilled by the office. 

There are some free zones, which can register your business without such a flexi desk. While these "virtual" or "zero office" packages exist, they often come with significant limitations: your company might not be eligible for UAE residence visas, and you will likely face difficulties opening a bank account. Banks have significantly strengthened their KYC and AML requirements for 2022–2025, and the absence of a "tangible" workspace often leads to account rejection. Furthermore, such packages may not provide a tenancy contract suitable for systems like Ejari.

How can I use flexi desk?

Each free zone sets its own rules about desks usage. As of 2024–2025, access conditions, hourly limits, and booking requirements are subject to change, so it is essential to verify current rules with the specific free zone authority. 

For example, flexi desk DMCC is allowed to be used a few hours per week, but the location of the desk may seem inconvenient - in the end most people do not use them at all.

Dubai South free zone made a very convenient business center and it is one of few zones where the desks are being really used. There is also a limitation on the number of hours, but it can be extended. 

Ajman free zone does not have any timing limits. Each desk is dedicated to a certain company and can be used daily during working hours. At the same time, most desks stay empty, because business owners prefer working from home or a Dubai based co-working space rather than traveling to Ajman. 

Sharjah Airport International Free Zone also has no limitations of desks usage. The zone has 8 buildings dedicated to flexi desk facilities and there is always room for everyone. 

Flexi desk for Dubai Mainland

Flexi desk can also be used for Mainland company registration. For mainland companies in Dubai, the Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) requires a valid lease agreement registered in the Dubai Land Department's Ejari system. It is important to note that not all business centers are accredited for this. Therefore, you must ensure that your chosen flexi desk package allows for Ejari registration before signing any contracts.

Location requirements for a flexi desk

A flexi desk is always situated at the premises of the free zone where the business is being registered. Officially, the desk will always be at the same place where the company is domiciled. 

There are some exceptions such as Ras Al Khaimah free trade zone authority. Its desks and offices are located not only in Ras Al Khaimah Emirate but also in Abu Dhabi. You can opt for either of the two locations, but Adu Dhabi will be slightly more expensive. 

A Fujairah based free zone IFZA also offers desks and offices to its companies in a different place - the location is in Dubai itself in the area of Motor City. If you are planning to use your desk, this is one of the best offers you can find in the market. 

Do all free zones offer flexi desk facilities?

No, there are a few zones that do not have such a facility at all. These zones are:

• DIFC
• ADGM
• Dubai Silicon Oasis

These are typically financial or specialized hubs with stricter office requirements. They generally mandate a full physical office rather than a flexi desk, so you should check the official regulations for minimum space requirements in these jurisdictions.

Some other zones officially have the flexi offices in their offers, but it’s almost impossible to get them because they are fully booked. An example of such a highly demanded place would be JAFZA.