Abu Dhabi · Free zone
ADGM
Abu Dhabi Global Market
The honest read
What it is actually good at.
English common law applied directly, its own courts, and a registrar built for holding structures. The SPV regime is the cleanest in the region — a holding vehicle can be incorporated without premises or visas and is recognised by international counsel without explanation.
Who is actually based here
Holding companies and SPVs, family offices, funds, asset managers, fintech firms and the professional services around them.
What it costs
Generally below DIFC for equivalent permissions. The SPV is the cheapest serious holding vehicle in the region — no premises, no visas, incorporated in days.
How banks receive it
Very good. ADGM entities are well received, and the SPV regime is familiar to international counsel and banks alike.
Commonly licensed here
- Emirate
- Abu Dhabi
- Type
- Free zone
- Location
- Al Maryah Island
- Established
- 2015
- Licence issuance
- 3–6 weeks
- Residence visas
- By leased area; SPVs carry none
- Ownership
- 100% foreign
- Premises
- Offices; SPVs need only a registered agent
Timelines, quotas and package contents are indicative and change without notice. We confirm every one against the current schedule before you commit to anything.
Premises
Where the office actually goes.
ADGM sits in Al Maryah Island, so choosing this free zone is also choosing this neighbourhood — the commute, what your staff can walk to at lunch, and who your clients pass on the way up.
Abu Dhabi's financial centre, on a small island connected to the main city, housing ADGM, the Galleria mall, Cleveland Clinic and a cluster of towers. What ADGM itself offers by way of premises: Offices; SPVs need only a registered agent.
- District
- Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
- Typical rent
- Upper band, generally below DIFC for equivalent quality
- Licence type there
- Free zone
Questions
A special purpose vehicle for holding assets — shares, property, IP — requiring no premises and no visas, incorporated in days and recognised by foreign counsel without explanation.
Generally yes, both for regulated permissions and for the holding structures. DIFC has the deeper ecosystem; ADGM has the better SPV regime.
No. If shareholders need UAE residence, the structure needs an operating company beneath the holding entity.