Mainland, free zone or offshore: what is the difference?

A plain-language comparison of the main company structures and who each one suits.

Blog · 30 Oct 2026 · RegisterMyCompany.io

The names change from country to country, but most company structures fall into a few types.

Mainland or LLC

A mainland company can usually trade across the local market. Ownership rules and licensing depend on the country and the activity.

Free zone

Free zone companies are registered in a designated zone and often suit trading, technology and holding structures. Each zone sets its own rules, so compare zones before you choose.

Offshore or holding

These companies usually hold assets or shares and cannot trade in the local market. They are common for holding structures.

Branch office

A branch extends an existing foreign company into a new country and uses the parent company name.

A short consultation is the quickest way to match your activity to the right structure.

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