ADGM.
Abu Dhabi Global Market — the UAE's English common-law jurisdiction.
ADGM is the preferred home of UAE venture-backed startups, holding structures and fund vehicles. Independent courts staffed with English judges, a legal system founded on direct application of English common law, and an SPV regime designed for international structuring. Where a free zone licence elsewhere is a commercial document, an ADGM company is a structuring instrument.
ADGM is usually suitable for VC-backed startups, holding companies, fund vehicles. It is not ideal for selling directly to UAE-mainland retail customers, or regulated financial services without the appropriate licence. Year-one cost starts from USD 29,500 (single shareholder, all-in; residency-visa government fees quoted separately where applicable). Typical time to licence is 14-28 (commercial); 120-365 (FSRA-regulated) working days after KYC clearance. Corporate tax is 0% on qualifying income (QFZP) and 9% on non-qualifying income above AED 375,000; a QFZP must keep audited financial statements to claim the 0% rate.
When ADGM is the right answer.
- VC-backed startups raising from US/UK investors
- Holding companies for multi-jurisdiction groups
- Fund vehicles (private equity, venture, hedge)
- Family offices needing English law trust integration
- Crypto / virtual asset providers under FSRA
When ADGM is overkill.
- Solo consultants and small services businesses
- E-commerce and small online businesses
- Direct retail / B2C in the UAE
- Cost-sensitive setups (IFZA at 1/3 the price)
- Operations needing a Dubai-side presence
What you actually pay, line by line.
| Line item | Year 1 | Year 2 onwards |
|---|---|---|
| ADGM Application & Registration Fee | USD 1,500 | — |
| Commercial Licence (Category B, non-financial) | USD 10,300 | USD 10,300 |
| Data Protection Notification | USD 300 | USD 300 |
| Registered office (flexi-desk / virtual) | USD 4,900 | USD 4,900 |
| ArxSetup professional fee | USD 4,500 | USD 5,800 |
| Articles of Association, share certificate, KYC, bank intros | Included | — |
| Audit (annual, mandatory) | USD 8,000+ | USD 8,000+ |
| All-in total (excl. audit) | USD 29,500 | USD 29,300 |
Regulated financial services activities (FSRA Categories 2–4): significantly higher fees and capital requirements. ADGM SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) regime available from USD 13,000 all-in for pure holding structures with no operating activity.
A legal regime your investors already know.
When you raise from a US or UK venture fund, their lawyers will draft term sheets, SAFEs and shareholders' agreements against the body of English (or Delaware) law they know. An ADGM company sits comfortably inside that body of law — same contract doctrines, same equitable remedies, same court precedents.
- ADGM Courts — independent court system, English-trained judges, judgments directly enforceable in the UAE and many foreign jurisdictions.
- ADGM Companies Regulations — modelled on the UK Companies Act 2006.
- Trust and foundation regimes — full English-law trust law and a Liechtenstein-style foundation framework.
- FSRA — Financial Services Regulatory Authority, internationally respected, member of IOSCO.
Tier 1 banking, by default.
ADGM companies open Tier 1 UAE bank accounts faster than any other free zone — the regulatory framework gives banks the comfort they need on KYC.
FAB
First Abu Dhabi Bank. The home-bank of choice for ADGM companies.
Emirates NBD
2–4 weeks. Strong with ADGM holding cos and SPVs.
ADCB
Abu Dhabi-based, deep ADGM familiarity.
DBS Singapore
Routine for ADGM SPVs with Asia investor base.
Standard Chartered
Private banking for ADGM family offices.
Wio · Mashreq Neo Biz
For ADGM operating subsidiaries needing quick multi-currency.
Itemised cost guides.
Prepared and reviewed by qualified counsel within ArxSetup and our affiliated practices, Neo Legal (UAE) and Cornwalls (Australia). Figures verified against primary regulator sources. Last reviewed: May 2026. How we review →
Common questions on ADGM.
These are the questions UAE-resident founders most often ask before signing an engagement letter. Each answer is current as of 2026 and reviewed by our incorporation team.
How much does it cost to set up a company in ADGM in 2026?
From USD 1,500/year for the Tech Startup Licence; from USD 1,900/year for an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle). Standard non-financial commercial licences run USD 5,500 registration plus USD 5,000 annual licence — realistic year-one all-in is USD 20,000–30,000 with office, two visas and CSP fees.
How long does ADGM company registration take?
2–4 weeks for non-financial commercial licences and the Tech Startup Licence; 4–12 months for FSRA-regulated financial-services licences (Categories 1–5) due to two-stage authorisation.
What is an ADGM SPV?
A Special Purpose Vehicle — a passive ADGM holding company that ring-fences specific assets or liabilities. It cannot conduct operational activities or employ staff and is widely used for cap-table structuring, IP holding, and family-office wealth vehicles.
How much does an ADGM SPV cost?
USD 1,900 annual ADGM licence fee plus USD 2,500–5,000/year for the mandatory Corporate Service Provider (CSP), which also supplies the registered office. No physical-office lease is required.
What is the ADGM Tech Startup Licence?
A discounted operational commercial licence at USD 1,500/year (vs USD 5,500 standard), available to early-stage technology companies for up to 5 years, with simplified incorporation in 2–4 weeks.
ADGM vs DIFC — which is better in 2026?
ADGM is cheaper (FSRA fees USD 5,000–30,000 vs DFSA USD 10,000–70,000), more flexible for SPVs and holding structures, and stronger for crypto and Web3. DIFC has deeper banking, advisory, HNW and private-banking ecosystem and is preferred for institutional wealth and operational financial services.
Does ADGM operate under English common law?
Yes — ADGM directly applies nearly 50 English statutes (Companies Act 2006, Insolvency Act 1986, etc.) and English common-law principles, with its own independent courts staffed by common-law judges.
Can ADGM companies have 100% foreign ownership?
Yes — 100% foreign ownership, full repatriation of capital and profits, 0% UAE Corporate Tax on qualifying income, 0% personal income tax.
Does ADGM require a physical office?
Yes for operational commercial licences (must be leased within ADGM-approved buildings). SPVs, Foundations and Restricted Scope Companies use a CSP-provided registered office and do not require a physical lease.
How much is an ADGM Foundation?
AED 75,000–200,000 setup (ADGM filing fees AED 10,000–15,000 plus legal/CSP from AED 50,000) with AED 40,000–80,000 annual maintenance. Used by HNW families for succession and asset protection under English common-law trust principles.
Is ADGM regulated by the FSRA?
Yes — the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) oversees all financial activities in ADGM, independent of the UAE Central Bank, with an innovation-friendly approach known for early adoption of crypto and tokenisation frameworks.
How much does an ADGM crypto licence cost?
Year-one all-in typically USD 500,000–2 million, covering FSRA fees (USD 30,000–125,000), regulatory capital (USD 250,000 broker-dealer to USD 5 million custodian), legal, compliance hires and ADGM office.
What is an ADGM Restricted Scope Company (RSC)?
An ADGM private company structure offering enhanced confidentiality — shareholder details are not publicly searchable. Used for co-investment vehicles, sensitive family-office structures, and bespoke holding entities.
Does ADGM allow foundations to hold SPVs?
Yes — Ministerial Decision 261 of 2024 explicitly allows ADGM Foundations to hold SPVs without triggering UAE Corporate Tax, making ADGM the leading UAE jurisdiction for tax-efficient family-wealth structuring.
What is the ADGM corporate tax rate?
0% UAE Corporate Tax on qualifying income for Qualifying Free Zone Persons; 9% applies to non-qualifying income above AED 375,000. The ADGM regime aligns fully with UAE federal corporate-tax law.
Quick answers on ADGM.
Is ADGM tax-free?
ADGM entities are 0% UAE Corporate Tax on qualifying income (QFZP status); 9% applies only above AED 375,000 of non-qualifying income. There is no personal income tax in the UAE.
Can a foreigner own 100% of an ADGM company?
Yes — 100% foreign ownership with no UAE-national partner, sponsor or local-service-agent requirement for any ADGM activity.
Why use ADGM over BVI for an SPV?
ADGM gives onshore UAE substance, English common law, UAE tax-residency access, and the option to bank with UAE/global private banks. BVI is cheaper but offers no UAE-substance benefit and no treaty access.
How ADGM stacks up.
The most common shortlists we see for ADGM candidates, and the reason each appears. Each link opens the dedicated jurisdiction page.
ADGM vs DIFC
From USD 26,500 — English common law, DFSA-regulated, private banking, foundations.
Why people compare: banking + HNW ecosystem.
Open DIFC pageADGM vs VARA
From USD 150,000 — Dubai virtual-asset regulator, 8 licence categories.
Why people compare: crypto-native.
Open VARA pageADGM vs DMCC
From USD 17,800 — JLT free zone, mandatory office, strongest banking.
Why people compare: cheaper commercial.
Open DMCC pageADGM vs BVI
From USD 8,500 — zero tax, English common law, 24–72hr incorporation.
Why people compare: cheaper offshore SPV.
Open BVI page