ADGM is Abu Dhabi's international financial centre. 12,671 active licences, 347 financial institutions, and a legal system that applies English Common Law directly. No reinterpretation, no local adaptation. Your contracts mean exactly what they say.
Active Licences
12,671
Legal System
English Common Law
Foreign Ownership
100%
Workforce
44,339
Financial Institutions
347
ADGM sits across Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, covering 14.38 million square metres. That makes it one of the largest financial districts in the world. It was established in 2015, and the jurisdiction directly applies English Common Law. Not a version of it, not principles inspired by it. The actual law. This gives international businesses a level of legal certainty that is hard to find anywhere else in the region. The ecosystem includes banks, asset managers, law firms, FinTech companies, and a growing number of virtual asset businesses. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) oversees regulated activities, while the Registration Authority handles commercial licensing. There is also an independent court system with internationally experienced judges.
12,671 businesses already operate here. These are the reasons most of them give.
ADGM is the only jurisdiction in the Middle East that directly applies English Common Law. Your contracts, shareholder agreements, and dispute resolutions follow the same legal principles used in London. The ADGM Courts are staffed by internationally experienced judges, and the system draws on over a century of established case law.
Qualifying Free Zone Persons pay 0% corporate tax on qualifying income. There is no withholding tax and no customs duty within the zone. You also get 100% foreign ownership and full capital repatriation. No local sponsor needed.
ADGM was the first jurisdiction in the MENA region to create a comprehensive virtual asset regulatory framework. The FSRA's RegLab lets FinTech companies test products in a supervised sandbox for up to two years. Binance received its FSRA authorization in January 2026.
The ecosystem includes 347 licensed financial institutions and 171 asset and fund managers overseeing 244 funds. Assets Under Management grew 36% in 2025. This is not just a place to get a license, it is an active financial market.
ADGM operates with a clear separation of powers. The Registration Authority handles company formation and licensing. The FSRA supervises financial services firms across five licence categories. The ADGM Courts resolve commercial disputes. Each authority operates independently.
ADGM hosts the largest Special Purpose Vehicle regime in the Middle East. SPV registration starts at USD 1,900. These structures work well for asset holding, investment protection, succession planning, and financing transactions. No minimum share capital for private companies.
ADGM fees are denominated in USD and converted to AED at the 3.673 rate. Here is what a standard non-financial setup looks like.
Billed annually
AED Pricing
ADGM fees are denominated in USD and converted to AED at the 3.673 rate. Here is what a standard non-financial setup looks like.
Total Estimated Cost (Year 1)
Estimated first-year setup fees derived from landing page content.
Cost Phase Timeline
Active Phase 1
AED 2,935
AED 3,670
ADGM issues licenses through two authorities. The Registration Authority handles non-financial licences. The FSRA handles regulated financial activities.
ADGM supports 102 business activities across regulated and non-regulated categories.
| Activity Name | Category |
|---|---|
| Dealing in Investments as Principal or Agent | Financial and Investment |
| Managing Collective Investment Funds | Financial and Investment |
| Advising on Investments or Credit | Financial and Investment |
| Providing Credit and Arranging Deals | Financial and Investment |
| Legal Consultancy | Professional and Consultancy |
| Management and Strategy Consultancy | Professional and Consultancy |
| Accounting, Auditing, and Bookkeeping | Professional and Consultancy |
| Corporate Services | Professional and Consultancy |
| Operating a Virtual Asset Exchange | Technology and Innovation |
| Blockchain and DLT Development | Technology and Innovation |
| Software as a Service (SaaS) | Technology and Innovation |
| Artificial Intelligence Products | Technology and Innovation |
The entire process is digital. Non-financial companies typically complete incorporation in 2 to 4 weeks.
Phase 1 Focus
Decide on your legal structure (private company, branch, SPV) and submit your preferred company name through the ADGM Online Registry Solution.
Upload your business plan, constitutional documents, shareholder passports, proof of address, and source of funds documentation via the digital portal.
The ADGM Registration Authority reviews your application, conducts due diligence on shareholders and directors, and may request additional information. For FSRA-regulated activities, a separate regulatory approval is required before incorporation.
Once approved and fees are paid, ADGM issues your Certificate of Incorporation and Commercial License. You can then proceed with office setup, bank account opening, and visa processing.
Apply for your company's Establishment Card through the e-Channel system, followed by entry permits, medical testing, Emirates ID, and visa stamping for your team.
You need a regulator that understands digital finance. ADGM's RegLab lets you test your product in a supervised environment for up to two years before committing to a full FSRA licence. The virtual asset framework is the most comprehensive in the region.
Primary Benefit
RegLab Sandbox and Virtual Asset Framework
Your clients expect English Common Law. ADGM delivers exactly that, with independent courts and judges who have decades of experience in commercial law. You can serve clients across the Gulf from a single office here.
Primary Benefit
Direct Application of English Common Law
You want clean holding structures for wealth preservation and succession planning. ADGM's SPV regime starts at USD 1,900, with no minimum share capital for private companies. Foundations are also available for estate planning.
Primary Benefit
Flexible SPV and Foundation Structures
171 asset and fund managers already operate in ADGM, managing 244 funds. AUM grew 36% in 2025. The FSRA offers a clear regulatory pathway with capital requirements starting at USD 10,000 for Category 4 advisory licences.
Primary Benefit
Established Fund Management Ecosystem
A factual comparison based on verified data. Your best fit depends on what your business actually needs.
| Feature Highlight | ADGM | DIFC | Saudi Arabia (Onshore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Framework | Direct English Common Law | Own statutes modelled on English Law | Sharia-based Civil Law |
| Corporate Tax | 0% for QFZP | 0% for QFZP | 20% standard rate |
| Non-Financial License Cost | From USD 5,500/yr | From USD 12,000/yr | Varies by activity |
| Virtual Asset Regulation | Comprehensive FSRA framework | Comprehensive DFSA framework | Developing framework |
| SPV Regime | Largest in the region (from USD 1,900) | Established regime | Limited framework |
| Established | 2015 | 2004 | N/A |
This is a general comparison for illustrative purposes. Specific advantages depend on your business activities and structure.
Get the legal certainty of English Common Law, 0% corporate tax eligibility, and access to one of the fastest growing financial ecosystems in the Middle East.
