How to Set Up a Company in ADGM

What is ADGM?

The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is an international financial centre established in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Launched in 2013 on Al Maryah Island, ADGM operates as a financial-free zone, offering 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate and personal tax, and an English common law framework. It is further governed by three key authorities, including:

• Registration Authority (RA)
• Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA)
• ADGM Courts

ADGM is an appealing international financial centre in Abu Dhabi due to its strategic location, which provides access to the MENASA region. It provides a business-friendly environment with full foreign ownership, tax benefits, and an efficient setup. Furthermore, ADGM’s dedication to global standards and a strong legal system attract international businesses seeking stability and growth.

Continue reading to learn how to set up a company in ADGM.

Choosing Your Company Type

The first step in setting up a company in ADGM involves selecting a legal form that suits your business. ADGM allows various entity types, including:

• Private Company Limited by Shares: A private company limited by shares is the most common form, similar to a limited liability company (LLC). It requires at least one director and one shareholder. As of May 2021, 2,624 out of 3,520 ADGM entities were private companies limited by shares​.
• Foundation: A foundation is a not-for-profit entity that helps manage family wealth or hold assets.
• Limited Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership: A limited partnership is suitable for professional services or joint ventures.
• Branch of a Foreign Company: A branch office of your existing foreign company (like in the US or Europe).
• Specialised/Restricted Entities: For certain activities (e.g. crypto, fintech, venture capital), ADGM offers categories with tailored rules.

Each option has specific requirements, such as share capital and the number of owners. You can discuss your plan with ADGM or a consultant to pick the right type. In the past, ADGM used to recommend a minimum share capital of AED 50,000 for private companies, although it wasn’t strictly enforced.

As of 2025, ADGM does not require a minimum share capital by law for a standard private company limited by shares (LTD). However, AED 50,000 is still often declared by companies voluntarily as a benchmark to appear credible or meet internal business planning needs.

Reserving a Company Name

Once you’ve chosen your company type, reserve a unique company name through the ADGM Registration Authority’s online system. Your name cannot conflict with existing ADGM entities or contain prohibited terms such as “bank” or “government,” which usually require special approval.

Use the ADGM portal (ACCESS ADGM) to check availability and reserve a name. A non-refundable fee of $200 applies. Once reserved, the name is held for a limited time while you prepare your application.

Preparing a Business Plan and Checking Requirements

Prepare a business plan that outlines your activities, market, and financial projections. This is especially important if you are seeking FSRA authorisation for financial services or visa approvals. Even for non-financial firms, a plan helps clarify your activities to the RA.

Meanwhile, gather the required documents and confirm the prerequisites, such as:

• Office Space: ADGM mandates a registered office on Al Maryah Island. You can lease a flexible office space through providers like Office Hub. ADGM’s rules note that every entity must “maintain a registered office address in ADGM and pay the associated lease registration fee.”
• Share Capital: Prepare to deposit the minimum share capital in a UAE bank account (often around AED 50,000).
• Attested Documents: Obtain notarised or legalised copies of passports, CVs of directors, NOCs for local partners (if any), and board resolutions (for branches). Non-financial firms apply to the RA; financial firms, such as banks and asset managers, must first apply to FSRA.
• Licensing Category: Determine the business activities and corresponding license type. ADGM uses five categories (A, B, C, etc.) with corresponding business activity fees.

Submitting Documents and Paying Fees

Submit your application to the ADGM Registration Authority via the ACCESS ADGM online portal. You will upload the application forms and the company’s constitutional documents, such as the Memorandum of Association (MoA) or Articles of Association (AoA), along with other supporting documents. The RA reviews your submission and may request clarifications.

When approved, pay the incorporation and licensing fees. ADGM’s fee schedule (effective 2025) includes:

• Name Reservation: $200 (approx. AED 734) 
• Incorporation Application: $300 (≈AED 1,101) 
• Data Protection Registration: $300 (≈AED 1,101)
• Initial Commercial License: This fee has seen significant changes based on the business categories, such as:

The non-financial category is reduced from USD 10,000 to USD 5,500 for initial registration. The retail category is reduced from USD 6,000 to USD 2,500 for initial registration. The financial category has been increased from USD 15,000 to USD 16,700 for initial registration. Meanwhile, the tech startups have adjusted their fees from USD 1,000 to USD 1,500 for new registrations.
 

• Business Activity Fee: This fee varies significantly by category. You can consult the official 2025 fee schedule for confirmation based on your specific activity.

Obtaining Your License

After fees are paid and paperwork is in order, the Registration Authority issues your commercial license. This process can take a few days once the RA has all the documents. With your license, your ADGM entity is officially live. You’ll also receive an incorporation certificate, allowing you to trade in ADGM legally.

While you complete all of this, don’t forget to renew the license annually by paying the renewal fee before the due date to maintain the company's good reputation.

Opening a Bank Account

Once all is cleared and sorted, you can open a corporate bank account in the UAE using your ADGM license. Both local and international banks in the UAE will require your company’s documents, including its license, incorporation certificate, MoA or AoA, resolutions, and the IDs of its directors and owners.

Some banks may require a business plan or proof of a business office lease. Having an ADGM license and address typically streamlines the process. Once the account is active, you can transfer the share capital deposit and start operations.

The Benefits of Operating in ADGM

The benefits of operating in ADGM are listed below.

• 100% Foreign Ownership: Whether you are an expatriate or foreign national, no local partner is required. Profits and capital can be fully repatriated.
• Zero Tax: ADGM companies enjoy a 0% corporate tax rate for a specified period and are exempt from personal income tax under free-zone incentives, subject to recent federal tax reforms and compliance requirements.
• Reputation & Ecosystem: ADGM is Abu Dhabi’s globally recognised finance hub. You’ll be neighbours with banks, venture capital funds, and startups, notably in the fintech and cryptocurrency sectors. The world-class infrastructure and networking events fuel growth.
• Regulatory Quality: With its English common law foundation and a well-established regulatory system, ADGM instils confidence in investors and partners. Meanwhile, the FSRA is also friendly to fintech and innovation​.
• Visa Access: ADGM companies can sponsor visas for employees under UAE immigration, attracting international talent.
• Double-Tax Treaties: Being in the UAE means access to its global tax treaties, which can reduce withholding taxes on cross-border income.
• Tech Start-Up Incentives: ADGM offers special incentives (reduced fees, visa support) for qualifying tech and innovation companies​

Additional Information to Learn about ADGM

Apart from knowing the procedure of how to set up a company in ADGM, there are additional factors you should be aware of.

ADGM Authorities Explained: RA, FSRA & Courts

Setting up in ADGM means interacting with its three authorities.

• Registration Authority (RA): Handles registration, incorporation, and licensing of all non-financial businesses in ADGM​. The RA provides one-stop support for company formation and corporate governance.
• Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA): Regulates financial firms (banks, investment companies, crypto platforms, etc.). The FSRA’s framework is modelled on international standards, focusing on transparency and investor protection. If your activities are “financial,” as defined by FSRA, you must secure FSRA approval before incorporating.
• ADGM Courts: An independent judiciary applying English common law, with its own First Instance and Appeal Courts. ADGM Courts resolve commercial disputes and contractual issues in accordance with familiar common law rules. The Chief Justice is an internationally respected jurist, Lord Hope of Craighead.

This governance structure gives ADGM-based companies a high degree of legal certainty. As the Registration Authority notes, ADGM’s legal framework is “structured on international standards” with “application of English common law,”​ which is a major draw for global investors.

Office Hub: Your Gateway to Joining the ADGM!

In conclusion, the answer to the question ‘How to set up a company in ADGM?’ involves selecting the appropriate entity, reserving a unique name, preparing your plan and documents, submitting them through the ADGM portal, paying the applicable fees, and obtaining your license.

Along the way, you’ll work with the Registration Authority and (if applicable) the FSRA under a transparent legal framework. Meanwhile, benefits such as zero tax, full ownership, strategic location, and a supportive ecosystem make ADGM a compelling choice for entrepreneurs in the UAE.

While ADGM companies do not need a physical retail location, a registered office is mandatory. Many new businesses use flex workspaces to save costs. In Abu Dhabi and across the UAE, Office Hub is a reliable platform for finding and renting flexible office spaces, such as co-working desks or meeting rooms that meet the requirements of ADGM. Our onboarding workspace partners are Regus, WeWork, Cloud Spaces, and The Executive Centre, among others.

Contact us now to get started!