Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
ADGM is Abu Dhabi's international financial centre, favored for family offices, asset management, and fintech. Operates under English common law.
AED 65,000
Starting Cost
AED 35,000
Flexi-Desk
150+
Max Visas
2015
Established
Key Highlights
- ▸Common-law jurisdiction
- ▸FSRA-regulated
- ▸Al Maryah Island location
- ▸Strong for family offices
About ADGM
ADGM is Abu Dhabi's international financial centre, operating under English common law with its own court system and regulatory authority, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). Established in 2013 on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi's designated financial district: ADGM has built a strong reputation for family offices, asset managers, sovereign-adjacent firms, and the growing Abu Dhabi fintech ecosystem. The zone's physical environment is compact by design: Al Maryah Island is purpose-built, with direct road connections to Abu Dhabi's main network and proximity to ADIA and Mubadala. This institutional proximity creates deal flow for financial services firms that operates differently from Dubai's fragmented private sector market. ADGM has been aggressive in developing its fintech regulatory framework, including a regulatory laboratory that allows fintech businesses to test products under structured supervision. Family office structures are particularly well-served: ADGM's foundations framework supports Abu Dhabi-based family wealth vehicles with governance, succession planning, and asset protection provisions. Setup costs are comparable to DIFC for regulated financial services and lower for non-regulated professional services companies. For businesses that derive significant revenue from Abu Dhabi government or government-linked entities, an ADGM presence signals proximity that other UAE registrations cannot credibly replicate.
Plan your setup
Use our UAE Business Setup Cost Calculator to estimate your total Year 1 cost when setting up in ADGM, including visas and office fees.
If you're operating in the UAE, you may need to calculate VAT on your invoices (mandatory registration if taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000/year).
ADGM companies that qualify as QFZP may pay 0% on qualifying income — use our Corporate Tax Calculator with Advanced Options to model your QFZP tax position.
ADGM fees are published in USD, not AED. Read our ADGM 2026 cost breakdown guide for real USD figures across all license types, worked AED totals, and the costs most agent quotes leave out.
License Types Available
Banking Support
🏦 Excellent
Hiring employees in ADGM? Calculate end-of-service gratuity entitlements under UAE Labour Law — payable within 14 days of contract end.
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