ADGM Company Setup — Abu Dhabi Global Market
Abu Dhabi's international financial centre with direct English common law
In short
ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) is Abu Dhabi's international financial centre on Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands, with direct application of English common law, its own courts and its own financial regulator (FSRA). Fees are charged in US dollars under a published schedule: a standard non-financial commercial licence totals about USD 5,800 (~AED 21,300) in year one and USD 5,300 to renew, while eligible tech start-ups pay an incentivised USD 1,500 (~AED 5,509) covering three years. Retail licences total about USD 2,800 and financial-services licences about USD 17,000 (FSRA authorisation is a separate prior process). Best for financial firms, funds, holding structures, foundations and Hub71-track tech start-ups.
Licence from
AED 5,509
from / approx — incentivised Tech Start-up licence (USD 1,500 ≈ AED 5,509 at the official USD/AED 3.6725 rate) covering registration plus two renewals over 3 years; requires a Hub71 eligibility approval letter. A standard non-financial licence totals ~USD 5,800 (≈ AED 21,300) in year one. Office lease and visas are separate
Emirate
Abu Dhabi
Al Maryah Island / Al Reem Island
Visas
Package-based
Visas are sponsored by the ADGM entity and processed through the ACCESSADGM government-services portal. A fixed per-licence visa quota is not part of the published fee schedule — capacity depends on your facility and is confirmed during setup, so budget per person for entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping as in any UAE jurisdiction.
Activities
Wide range
Activities are grouped into Financial (Category A), Non-Financial (Category B) and Retail (Category C), with a published permitted-activities list. A commercial licence can cover several complementary activities where they form one logical business proposition.
Why ADGM?
- Abu Dhabi's international financial centre across Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands — 14.38 million sqm, one of the largest financial districts in the world.
- Direct application of English common law — an independent jurisdiction with its own courts and financial regulator (FSRA).
- Published USD fee schedule from the Registration Authority: standard non-financial licence ~USD 5,800 initial / USD 5,300 renewal (2025 schedule).
- Tech Start-up incentive: USD 1,500 covering three years (registration plus two renewals) for Hub71-approved start-ups.
- SPVs (USD 1,900) and foundations (USD 1,000) with light regimes — SPVs are exempt from the physical-office requirement.
- Wide range of structures: companies including cell companies, LLPs, limited partnerships, foundations and DLT foundations for Web3 entities.
Best for
Financial-services firms, asset and fund managers, VCs and fintechs regulated by the FSRA; holding companies, SPVs, family offices and foundations; and Hub71-eligible tech start-ups. The right pick when a common-law jurisdiction, a credible financial-centre address and Abu Dhabi's capital ecosystem matter more than the lowest possible licence price.
Less ideal for
Businesses selling directly to UAE mainland consumers (shops, restaurants, clinics), general trading, logistics or warehousing operations (JAFZA or RAKEZ fit better), and cost-sensitive solo founders — a standard non-financial licence runs ~USD 5,800 in year one plus a mandatory office lease, unless you qualify for the tech start-up incentive or an SPV.
ADGM setup cost
Approximate budgeting figures — your final quote is confirmed in writing. Government fees are passed through at cost, never marked up.
Tech Start-up licence (incentivised, 3 years)
Hub71 eligibility approval required (average 21-day review); covers registration plus two renewals, then standard fees apply
USD 1,500 (~AED 5,509)
Non-financial licence (Category B), year 1
Name reservation, incorporation, licence, business-activity and data-protection fees; renewal USD 5,300/yr
USD 5,800 (~AED 21,300)
Retail licence (Category C), year 1
Renewal USD 2,300/yr
USD 2,800 (~AED 10,283)
Financial licence (Category A), year 1
FSRA authorisation is a separate prior process; renewal USD 16,500/yr
USD 17,000 (~AED 62,433)
SPV (special purpose vehicle)
Renewal USD 1,400/yr; no physical office required
USD 1,900 (~AED 6,978)
Foundation
Renewal USD 500/yr
USD 1,000 (~AED 3,673)
Registered office / lease
A registered office in ADGM is mandatory (except SPVs) and a lease registration fee applies; options on Al Maryah and Al Reem
Quote-based
UAE corporate tax registration
Registration with the Federal Tax Authority is free of charge
Government fee: AED 0
How we set you up
- 1
Choose category and legal structure
Decide between Financial (Category A), Non-Financial (Category B) or Retail (Category C) activities, and pick a legal form — company, LLP, limited partnership, foundation or SPV.
- 2
Secure pre-approvals where required
Financial activities need FSRA In-Principle Approval before incorporation. Tech start-ups applying for the incentivised licence need a Hub71 eligibility approval letter (average 21-day review).
- 3
Check and reserve your name
Search the ADGM register; sensitive terms (Bank, Emirates, Abu Dhabi and similar) need evidence of approval. Advance reservation is optional — USD 200.
- 4
Lease and register your office
A physical presence in ADGM is required for all entities except SPVs. Choose from offices and co-working options on Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands, then register the lease — proof is required with your application.
- 5
Submit via the Online Registry Solution
File the incorporation forms and supporting documents online. Documents must be in English and notarisation is not required unless the Registrar requests it; complete applications can be processed within a few days.
- 6
Licence, visas and corporate tax
Receive your commercial licence, then process residence visas through the ACCESSADGM portal and register the company for UAE corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority.
Pros
- Direct English common law with ADGM's own courts — funds, holding structures and contract-heavy businesses get a familiar legal system.
- Transparent, published USD fee schedule from the Registration Authority — you can verify every registration fee yourself.
- Meaningful incentives: USD 1,500 three-year tech start-up licence, USD 700 social-enterprise fee, and light SPV/foundation regimes.
- One of the world's largest financial districts (14.38M sqm across two islands) with Abu Dhabi's Hub71 tech ecosystem.
- Digital-first registry: complete applications through the Online Registry Solution can be processed within a few days.
Things to weigh
- Fees are charged in USD and sit above budget-zone level — a standard non-financial licence is ~USD 5,800 in year one versus ~AED 12,500–12,900 at IFZA or Meydan.
- A physical office is mandatory for all entities except SPVs, adding Abu Dhabi commercial rent to the real total.
- Financial activities need FSRA authorisation before incorporation — a longer and more demanding path than a non-financial licence.
- Based in Abu Dhabi — less convenient day-to-day for Dubai-centred teams and clients.
- Like any free zone, selling directly into the UAE mainland market requires additional arrangements or licensing.
ADGM or mainland?
ADGM is an Abu Dhabi free zone with its own common-law jurisdiction, courts and financial regulator, while mainland companies operate under UAE federal and emirate law and license through the local economic department. Choose ADGM for financial services, funds, holding structures or a credible financial-centre base with published USD fees; choose mainland if you sell directly to UAE consumers or bid for government work. Many groups run both — an ADGM holding or fund entity above a mainland operating company.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up in ADGM in 2026?+
Under the Registration Authority's published schedule (in USD): a standard non-financial licence totals about USD 5,800 (~AED 21,300) in year one and USD 5,300 to renew; retail is about USD 2,800; financial-services registration about USD 17,000 (after separate FSRA authorisation); SPVs USD 1,900 and foundations USD 1,000. A registered office lease (mandatory except for SPVs) and visas come on top. ADGM states the conversion rate as USD 1 = AED 3.6725.
What is the ADGM tech start-up licence?+
An incentivised licence of USD 1,500 (~AED 5,509) covering registration and two renewals over three years. Eligibility requires a Hub71 approval letter — the review takes about 21 days on average. After the incentive period, non-financial tech start-ups revert to standard Category B fees (fintech start-ups with a financial activity revert to Category A).
Is ADGM only for financial companies?+
No. ADGM licenses three categories — Financial (Category A), Non-Financial (Category B) and Retail (Category C) — plus SPVs, foundations, professional associations and holding companies. Only financial activities need FSRA authorisation; a consultancy or head office registers directly with the Registration Authority.
ADGM vs DIFC — what is the difference?+
Both are UAE financial centres with common-law frameworks, own courts and their own regulators. ADGM is in Abu Dhabi (Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands) and applies English common law directly, with a published USD fee schedule; DIFC is in Dubai with its own DIFC laws, DFSA regulator and cost structure. The right choice usually follows where your clients, investors and team sit — see our side-by-side ADGM vs DIFC comparison.
Do I need a physical office in ADGM?+
Yes — every ADGM entity must maintain a registered office address in the zone and register its lease (a lease registration fee applies). The one exception is SPVs, which can be set up without a physical presence, typically through a company service provider. Offices and co-working options are available on Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands.
What legal structures does ADGM offer?+
Companies (public and private limited by shares, limited by guarantee, unlimited, protected and incorporated cell companies, investment companies), branches of foreign companies, partnerships (LLP, general and limited partnerships and their branches), foundations, and DLT foundations designed for blockchain projects, DAOs and Web3 entities.
Why set up with ZETUP PRO
ZETUP PRO is an independent advisor — no zone pays us more than another. We will tell you straight whether ADGM's common-law jurisdiction is worth it for your case or whether a Dubai zone or mainland licence serves you better, and we put the full cost in writing, line by line, before you commit. Government and authority fees are always passed through at cost.
Compare with other free zones
ADGM vs IFZA
from AED 12,900
Consultants, freelancers, service firms, marketing/IT agencies, holding companies and traders who want an affordable Dubai free zone with flexible visa numbers and a wide activity list. Ideal for solo founders and small teams who do not need a physical mainland storefront.
ADGM vs Meydan
from AED 12,500
E-commerce sellers, freelancers, consultants, agencies, small service businesses and holding companies that want a credible Dubai address, a low starting cost and a quick online setup, while keeping their visa needs modest (up to three on a flexi-desk).
ADGM vs DMCC
from AED 35,484
Commodities and trading houses (gold, diamonds, metals, energy, agri), crypto/Web3 and blockchain founders, fintech, established SMEs and serious entrepreneurs who want a prestige Dubai address, a credible ecosystem and smoother banking. Ideal when reputation, sector clustering and a physical presence in central Dubai matter more than the lowest possible licence price.
ADGM vs RAKEZ
from AED 6,000
Cost-conscious SMEs, traders, freelancers and consultants, e-commerce sellers, and especially industrial or manufacturing businesses needing warehouses or land. A common pick for Dubai-based founders who want a cheaper free zone licence and don't need a Dubai address on the trade licence.
ADGM vs Shams
from AED 5,750
Budget-conscious founders, freelancers, media and creative professionals, consultants, and online or service businesses who want a cheap, credible UAE licence and don't need a Dubai address or to trade directly on the mainland.
ADGM vs DAFZA
from AED 15,020
Aviation, freight forwarding, logistics, electronics, pharma, luxury goods and trading companies that need physical airport proximity, a prestige Dubai address, and an office or warehouse on-site. Suits funded businesses that value reputation over the lowest possible cost.
ADGM vs JAFZA
from AED 15,000
Import-export and trading houses, distribution and re-export businesses, logistics and freight-forwarding firms, manufacturers and light-industrial operations, and regional headquarters serving Asia, Africa and Europe. Ideal for companies that physically move, store or process goods and want to sit on top of Jebel Ali Port with bonded warehousing and on-site customs.
ADGM vs DIFC
from AED 5,500
Financial-services firms, fintech and Web3 startups, investment managers, funds, family offices, holding companies, and international law, advisory and insurance firms that need a credible common-law jurisdiction, DFSA standing and access to capital. The DIFC Innovation Hub specifically suits early-stage, non-regulated tech and fintech founders who want the DIFC address and ecosystem at a subsidised price.
ADGM vs Dubai South
from AED 12,500
Logistics, freight and e-commerce fulfilment operations, aviation and aerospace businesses, and traders who want airport-side operations in the corridor Dubai is building around Al Maktoum International. Also a practical government-run package option (Business Hub) for SMEs and startups that want a published-price Dubai licence with same-day issuance.
ADGM vs SPC
from AED 5,750
Startups, solo founders and consultants who want one of the cheapest published entry prices in the UAE with fast, fully online licensing; e-commerce and trading businesses choosing from the 2,000+ activity list; and publishers and media businesses, given the zone's publishing heritage and Publishers Hub.
ADGM vs UAQ FTZ
from AED 5,500
Online sellers, dropshippers and solo founders who want the cheapest credible published package in the UAE (UAQ LYTE at AED 5,500); founders who need licence-plus-visa in one transparent bundle (UAQ START at AED 12,500); and light-industrial, trading and logistics businesses using its warehouses, land and UAQ Port.
ADGM vs Innovation City
from AED 6,600
AI, Web3/blockchain, gaming, robotics and healthtech founders who want a specialist tech free zone with published package pricing; DAOs and token projects needing the UAE's dedicated DAO Association Regulations; and digital-asset businesses that value an ecosystem with crypto-experienced banking and infrastructure partners.