Government and enterprise contracts
A mainland licence lets you bid for contracts across the emirate and the wider UAE.
Start your company in Abu Dhabi with 100% foreign ownership, licence fees from AED 790 and a licensing process that runs fully online through TAMM. A&A Associate guides you from choosing the right ADRA licence to opening your bank account, so you can trade with the capital's government and enterprise clients from day one.
Let's Talk Free Consultation
Abu Dhabi is the UAE capital and its largest economy. It is home to ADNOC, Mubadala, ADQ and most federal ministries, which makes it the place to be if your clients are government or large enterprises.
A mainland licence lets you bid for contracts across the emirate and the wider UAE.
Most commercial, professional and industrial activities no longer need an Emirati partner.
0% personal income tax. Corporate tax is 0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable profit and 9% above.
The ADRA Virtual Licence lets investors outside the UAE register a company before they arrive.
Applications, renewals and amendments run through the TAMM government platform.
Khalifa Port, Zayed International Airport and a 90-minute drive to Dubai.
Choose the mainland if you sell to UAE customers or government; choose a free zone if you trade internationally or need a sector-specific regulator. The ADRA Dual Licence lets an Abu Dhabi free zone company also operate on the mainland.
Not sure which fits? We compare mainland and free zone options for your activity, free of charge. Ask an expert →
| Compare | Abu Dhabi mainlandADRA, part of ADDED | Abu Dhabi free zonesADGM, KEZAD, Masdar, twofour54, ADAFZ |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing body | Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA) | Each free zone authority |
| Where you can trade | Anywhere in the UAE and abroad | Inside the zone and abroad; mainland via Dual Licence or a distributor |
| Foreign ownership | 100% for most activities | 100% |
| Government contracts | Yes | Limited |
| Office | Tawtheeq-registered tenancy (not needed for Virtual or Freelancer licences) | Flexi-desk to warehouse, by package |
| Typical first-year cost | AED 20,000–35,000 for an LLC with office and one visa | AED 15,000–50,000+ depending on zone |
| Best for | Trading, contracting, consultancy, F&B, government suppliers | Finance (ADGM), industry and logistics (KEZAD), tech and sustainability (Masdar), media (twofour54) |
Comparing free zones across the UAE? See our UAE free zone comparison
Get a free comparisonADRA offers several licence routes. Picking the right one is the single biggest cost decision in your business setup.
The full mainland licence for any activity, with a physical office and a visa quota.
Fast-tracked for UAE nationals, residents and GCC nationals. Documents can follow within one month.
For foreign investors living outside the UAE. Sole proprietorship or LLC, with just a passport and photo.
A home-based licence for UAE nationals and residents working on their own.
Small-scale trading and online selling for eligible Emirati and GCC owners.
Lets an Abu Dhabi free zone company operate on the mainland too.
Commercial, professional, industrial, tourism, agricultural or crafts. Extra activities cost AED 100 each on the Instant and Virtual licences, and some activities need approval from Abu Dhabi Municipality, the Department of Health or the Department of Culture and Tourism.
Each free zone has its own regulator, packages and focus sectors. Pick the one that matches your activity.
Abu Dhabi Global Market: an international financial centre on Al Maryah Island with English common law. Financial services, holding companies, family offices and the Hub71 tech ecosystem.
Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi: industrial and logistics zones next to Khalifa Port for manufacturing, warehousing and trading.
Technology, sustainability, R&D and start-ups, with flexible desk packages.
Masdar City Free Zone guideThe Abu Dhabi free zone for media, gaming, film and entertainment companies.
ADAFZ: logistics, trading and aviation businesses at Zayed International Airport.
Your legal form decides who can own the company, how much personal liability you carry and which licence routes are open to you.
The official ADRA sequence, from choosing your activity to opening your bank account. Our PRO team handles TAMM, ADRA, Tawtheeq and the Chamber for you.
Instant licences can be issued within days; standard licences follow once documents and any external approvals are ready.
Start my companyPick your activities from the ADRA list and the licence route that suits them.
LLC, sole establishment, civil company or branch, depending on ownership and liability.
Register a unique name on TAMM that follows UAE naming rules.
ADRA confirms it has no objection to your activity and shareholders.
Lease an office or shop and register the tenancy contract on Tawtheeq (not needed for Virtual or Freelancer licences).
A Memorandum of Association for LLCs, or a Local Service Agent agreement where required.
If your activity needs them: Abu Dhabi Municipality, the Department of Health or the Department of Culture and Tourism.
Your licence is issued through TAMM once all documents and approvals are in place.
Abu Dhabi Chamber registration, establishment card, residence visas and your corporate bank account.
Official ADRA fees for the Instant and Virtual licences start at AED 790 and go up to AED 5,500 including six activities. A standard mainland LLC with a small office and one investor visa usually costs AED 20,000–35,000 in the first year.
Typical first-year total Extra activities cost AED 100 each on the Instant and Virtual licences. The Virtual Licence needs no office, which removes the biggest cost line. Renewals cost less than year one because your Memorandum, establishment card and bank account are already in place.
What every new Abu Dhabi company needs to plan for once the licence is issued.
For investors, family and staff, with mainland quotas linked to your office size.
With UAE banks that onboard Abu Dhabi licences; we prepare the compliance file.
0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable profit and 9% above. Registration with the Federal Tax Authority is mandatory.
Mandatory once taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000 a year; optional from AED 187,500.
Keep records for at least seven years. Emiratisation targets apply to larger private companies.
Ten years setting up mainland, free zone and offshore companies.
We compare the Standard, Instant, Virtual and free zone routes for your activity before you spend.
Agreed in writing before we start, with no hidden government charges.
Handles TAMM, ADRA, Tawtheeq, Chamber and immigration. PRO services
Bank account, visas, accounting, VAT and corporate tax after your licence.
Weighing Abu Dhabi against a free zone or another emirate? See how the options compare.
Quick answers on cost, ownership, licences, timelines and tax for Abu Dhabi companies.
Speak to an Abu Dhabi business setup consultant today. The first consultation is free.
+971 50 483 6190 info@aaconsultancy.ae Chat on WhatsAppTell us your activity and budget. An Abu Dhabi setup consultant will call you back with a written quote and the right licence route.
