Business Setup in Abu Dhabi: Free Zones, Costs and the 2026 Process
Abu Dhabi does not work like Dubai or Sharjah on price. None of the Abu Dhabi free zones publish a fixed starter package, so any figure quoted online is an estimate rather than an authority rate. Cost is driven by your activity, facility and visa count. ADGM is the financial and holding-company jurisdiction, KEZAD serves industrial and logistics operators, Masdar City suits clean tech, and twofour54 covers media.
Who this is for
Founders choosing Abu Dhabi for regulated, industrial, media or holding-company activity.
Who this is for: Founders choosing Abu Dhabi for regulated, industrial, media or holding-company activity.
Key caution: Prices are indicative and may change without notice. Final setup cost depends on business activity, licence type, legal structure, shareholder count, visa allocation, office/facility requirement, establishment card, immigration file, medical, Emirates ID, insurance, approvals, government fees, renewal terms and current authority offers. Always verify the final quote with the relevant authority or authorised partner before payment.
Get a costed setup plan
Tell us what you're planning and we'll send a transparent breakdown within 24 hours.
Your details stay private. No obligation.
What your setup actually costs
We do not publish a headline price, because the figure that matters depends on decisions you have not made yet. Anyone quoting you a single number before asking these questions is guessing.
Your business activity
The activity decides which authorities can licence you at all, whether a regulator has to approve you first, and how many visas you are allowed.
How many visas you need
Visa quota is tied to your package tier and facility. Buying the right tier upfront is consistently cheaper than upgrading later.
Facility type
A flexi-desk, a serviced office and a warehouse are different orders of cost. Mainland companies generally need physical premises with a registered Ejari tenancy.
Free zone, mainland or offshore
This single decision drives ownership, where you are allowed to trade, and whether you can sponsor residence visas at all.
What the quote leaves out
Licence fees are rarely the whole bill. Establishment card, immigration file, medical testing, Emirates ID and insurance are usually charged separately.
Tell us what you are planning and we will come back with an itemised written quote — every line visible, nothing bundled.
Compare the zones
ADGM — Abu Dhabi Global Market
Regulated finance, fintech, funds, family offices, private wealth, holding structures, sophisticated governance
View detailsMasdar City Free Zone
Sustainability, climate, clean tech, AI, life sciences, mobility, innovation brands
View detailsKEZAD — Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi
Manufacturing, industrial land, logistics, warehousing, supply chain, food processing, heavy operations
View detailstwofour54
Media, creative, content production, Abu Dhabi positioning
View detailsAbu Dhabi Airports Free Zone
Airport/logistics businesses, Abu Dhabi operations
View detailsThe process, step by step
- 1
Match the zone to your activity
ADGM for finance, funds and holding structures under common law. KEZAD for industrial and logistics. Masdar City for clean tech and R&D. twofour54 for media and content.
- 2
Request a written quote
Because Abu Dhabi zones price per case, get the figure in writing with an itemised breakdown before you commit.
- 3
Confirm regulatory approvals
ADGM financial services activity requires FSRA authorisation, which is a separate and substantially longer process than a standard licence.
- 4
Reserve the name and submit documents
Standard incorporation documents plus any activity-specific approvals.
- 5
Receive licence and establishment card
Non-regulated activity moves once approvals are in place; the facility allocation is usually what sets the pace. We confirm the current timeline with the authority before you commit.
- 6
Apply for visas and open banking
ADGM entities generally find banking onboarding smoother given the regulatory standard, but no zone can guarantee an account.