Company in ADGM: 2026 guide & costs
A complete guide to ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market): Abu Dhabi’s financial centre applying English common law directly. SPVs, holdings, funds, fintech and foundations. We work with ADGM: we prepare and file your application end to end, coordinating registry, compliance and banking.
5.0 Verified reviews on Google
ADGM applies English law, literally.
Abu Dhabi Global Market, on Al Maryah Island, is Abu Dhabi’s financial centre: it adopted English common law with direct application, has its own courts and a financial regulator (FSRA). Its SPV regime has made it the favourite for holding and investment vehicles.
Direct common law
ADGM applies English law as is, case law included: maximum predictability for investors and contracts.
SPVs and holdings
Holding vehicles with contained requirements and cost, widely used for shares, real estate and investments.
Regulated ecosystem
The FSRA for financial activities, RegLab for fintech and frameworks for funds, foundations and family offices.
Which businesses fit ADGM.
Holding vehicles
Shares, real estate, intellectual property and investments under common law.
Group structures
Group parents and joint ventures with Anglo-Saxon governance.
Asset management
FSRA-authorised funds and managers with international standards.
RegLab
A pioneering regulatory sandbox for fintech testing models under supervision.
ADGM Foundations
Succession and asset protection; an alternative to DIFC and RAK ICC.
Support services
Law firms and consultancies serving Abu Dhabi’s financial ecosystem.
ADGM versus DIFC and DMCC.
ADGM and DIFC are the UAE’s two common-law financial centres; DMCC is the premium commercial free zone. The choice depends on the activity and on where your capital and counterparties sit.
| Jurisdiction | Main difference | Practical advantage | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADGM | Abu Dhabi’s financial centre (2015) applying English common law directly, with the FSRA as regulator. | An agile, cost-competitive SPV regime and proximity to Abu Dhabi’s institutional capital. | SPVs and holdings, funds, fintech in RegLab and wealth structures. |
| DIFC | Dubai’s financial centre (2004) with the DFSA, its own courts and the region’s most established ecosystem. | The reference financial brand, an affordable Innovation Licence and foundations and wills frameworks. | Funds, asset managers, fintech, family offices and foundations. |
| DMCC | Dubai’s premium commercial free zone in JLT, without its own financial regulator or common law. | Lower cost than a financial centre and a broad commercial catalogue. | Trading, commodities, non-regulated crypto and professional services. |
ADGM and DIFC publish fees in USD and they vary by activity (regulated or not). Before comparing prices, define whether your activity requires a financial-regulator licence.
When ADGM tends to pay off.
ADGM shines for holding and investment structures where the governing law and vehicle cost matter more than a commercial address.
SPV per deal
Per-asset or per-deal vehicles with common law and contained cost.
Property holding
ADGM SPVs accepted for structuring property in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Corporate reorganisation
Parents and sub-holdings with English governance and contracts.
Regulated models
RegLab allows testing financial products with the regulator close by.
Families and succession
Foundations and wealth structures under English law.
Institutional capital
Proximity to the emirate’s sovereign funds, family offices and banks.
The right vehicle depends on the asset and the investor.
ADGM fits when you need common law and an efficient vehicle; it stops fitting as a generalist operating base.
It may fit less well if your business is commercial or operational with no investment or wealth component: a commercial free zone is simpler and cheaper. Note also that ADGM SPVs must justify a reasonable nexus with the region, and regulated financial activities go through the FSRA with a business plan, capital and compliance.
Compare options →What a real ADGM budget includes.
Registration and licence
Fees in USD by entity type: SPVs carry contained entry and renewal fees; operating and regulated entities, higher ones.
FSRA regulation
Financial activities add authorisation, regulatory capital and ongoing compliance.
Registered address
SPVs can use a registered agent; operating entities need presence on Al Maryah Island.
Annual compliance
Renewal, accounting, annual confirmation and, depending on the entity, audit and reporting.
How to set up your ADGM company step by step.
In ADGM, the first decision is the entity type: SPV, non-regulated operating company or regulated financial entity.
- 01
Define vehicle and purpose
Holding SPV, operating company or regulated entity: each route has different requirements.
- 02
Validate that ADGM pays off
Compare with DIFC, RAK ICC or commercial free zones on law, cost and banking.
- 03
Prepare the file
Structure, shareholders, assets to hold and, for SPVs, the regional nexus.
- 04
Reserve name and entity
The Registration Authority validates the name, legal form and structure.
- 05
Submit KYC and UBO
Passports, source of funds, organisation chart and ultimate beneficial owner declaration.
- 06
Obtain approvals and pay
Registrar (and FSRA where applicable) approval and incorporation fees.
- 07
Resolve address and visas
Registered agent or office, and visas if the entity needs them.
- 08
Activate banking and compliance
Corporate account, tax registration, accounting and the annual calendar.
Mistakes to avoid with ADGM.
A financial centre rewards preparation: improvised files get stuck at the registry or the bank.
Using an SPV as an operating company
The SPV is a holding vehicle; invoicing commercial operations requires another entity.
Forgetting the SPV nexus
ADGM expects a reasonable link with the region: assets, shareholders or activity in the UAE/GCC.
Underestimating the FSRA
Financial activities require a solid plan, capital and real compliance.
Ignoring banking
A flawless vehicle without a bank account is useless; banks review substance and purpose.
Assuming zero tax
QFZP treatment has strict conditions; holding income and dividends need their own analysis.
Copying other people’s structures
The DIFC/ADGM/RAK ICC choice depends on assets, family and objective, not templates.
Official sources on ADGM.
We cross-check entities, licences, fees and requirements against the centre’s official information and federal tax law.
ADGM: setting up▸
Official licensing and registration authority. Original information: adgm.com/setting-up
ADGM: official portal▸
Official licensing and registration authority. Original information: adgm.com
FSRA: Financial Services Regulatory Authority▸
Official licensing and registration authority. Original information: adgm.com/operating-in-adgm/fsra
Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on Corporate Tax▸
Official legislation. Original text: mof.gov.ae/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Federal-Decree-Law-No.-47-of-2022-EN.pdf
Key terms for incorporating in ADGM.
Concepts worth mastering before choosing a vehicle in Abu Dhabi’s financial centre.
ADGM · Abu Dhabi Global Market ▸
Abu Dhabi's international financial centre, created in 2015 on Al Maryah Island, applying English common law directly.
FSRA · Financial Services Regulatory Authority ▸
ADGM's financial regulator, responsible for authorising and supervising the centre's financial activities.
SPV · Special Purpose Vehicle ▸
A holding company with no operating activity, used to hold shares, real estate or investments under common law.
RegLab ▸
ADGM's regulatory sandbox that lets fintechs test financial products under FSRA supervision.
ADGM Foundation ▸
A wealth vehicle with no shareholders for succession, asset protection and family governance under common law.
Registration Authority ▸
ADGM's companies registrar, responsible for incorporations, renewals and the public register of entities.
Al Maryah Island ▸
The Abu Dhabi island that hosts the ADGM financial district.
QFZP · Qualifying Free Zone Person ▸
A free-zone person that can apply 0% Corporate Tax to qualifying income if it meets all the conditions.
Compare before incorporating.
UAE Holding
Holding structures: when to use ADGM, DIFC or RAK ICC.
Learn more → 02UAE Foundation
ADGM Foundations versus DIFC and RAK ICC for succession.
Learn more → 03Company in DIFC
The other common-law financial centre, in Dubai.
Learn more → 04UAE company formation
Return to the hub to compare emirate, jurisdiction and structure.
Learn more →What clients most often ask.
How is ADGM different from a normal free zone?
ADGM is a common-law jurisdiction: it adopted English law with direct application, has its own courts and a financial regulator, the FSRA. A commercial free zone issues licences; ADGM additionally defines the law governing your company and contracts.
What is an ADGM SPV and what is it for?
A Special Purpose Vehicle: a holding company with no operating activity, used to hold shares, real estate, intellectual property or investments. It has contained requirements and costs, can use a registered agent as its address and is governed by common law — which is why it is one of the most used vehicles in the UAE.
How much does an ADGM company cost?
Fees are published in USD and depend on the entity type: SPVs carry contained incorporation and renewal fees; operating entities pay more, and FSRA-regulated financial activities add authorisation and regulatory capital. Fees change: confirm the official fee schedule before budgeting.
Can I set up an ADGM SPV without living in the UAE?
Yes, residence is not required. ADGM does expect a reasonable nexus with the region: assets, shareholders, investments or activity in the UAE or GCC that justify the vehicle. The KYC file and UBO declaration are standard.
Do I need an FSRA licence?
Only if your activity is regulated financial business: managing third-party money, funds, investment advice, payments or insurance. SPVs, holdings, foundations and professional services operate as non-regulated entities.
What is an ADGM Foundation?
A wealth vehicle with no shareholders under common law for succession, asset protection and family governance. It competes with the DIFC and RAK ICC foundations; the choice depends on assets, family and cost. We cover it in our foundations guide.
Which is better, ADGM or DIFC?
Both are excellent common-law financial centres. ADGM stands out for SPVs (cost and agility) and proximity to Abu Dhabi capital; DIFC has the most established ecosystem and the most recognised brand in Dubai. For holding vehicles, always compare both; for operating with Dubai clients, DIFC is usually the natural fit.
Does an ADGM company pay Corporate Tax?
ADGM is a free zone for Corporate Tax purposes: an entity can use the QFZP regime (0% on qualifying income) if it meets the conditions. For holding vehicles, dividends and capital gains need their own analysis; review it before incorporating.
The trust of those already working with us
Your ADGM company, structured precisely from day one.
Tell us which assets or activity you want to structure. We will validate whether ADGM pays off against DIFC, RAK ICC or a commercial free zone before filing anything.
Book a consultation →Dubai Marina, UAE