ADGM Company Formation
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ADGM company formation is the setup of a company in Abu Dhabi Global Market — the capital’s financial free zone and the MENA region’s largest international financial centre, with over 11,000 active licences. It runs on English common law with its own independent courts and the FSRA regulator, which is why funds, fintech, family offices and holding structures choose it. You get 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, residence visas, and a low-cost SPV route for holding assets. Legarithm handles the whole path — licence, office, visas, plus corporate-tax and accounting registration. Selling to the local market instead? See an Abu Dhabi mainland company. Comparing hubs? The Dubai equivalent is DIFC; for trade, DMCC; or the full UAE company formation hub.
Why Legarithm for ADGM
ADGM is the MENA region’s largest international financial centre — over 11,000 active licences, English common law, independent ADGM Courts and the FSRA regulator. That framework is exactly why it rewards getting the structure right: the correct licence class, the right substance for FSRA where it applies, and clean corporate-tax and VAT registration from day one.
We are a licensed corporate-services provider with hands-on ADGM experience. We handle ADGM company formation end to end — mapping your model to the right route (SPV, tech startup, professional, or a fully FSRA-regulated licence), taking every step the registry requires, and getting you bank-ready. One accountable team, from the first call to your first invoice, with a fixed, transparent scope
ADGM company formation: key benefits
These are the outcomes the setup is built to deliver.
Who ADGM suits
ADGM fits regulated finance and holding structures — each profile below links to the page that fits it best.
Funds & asset managers
A regulated home for funds and asset management under FSRA, with English common law and ADGM Courts. The Dubai equivalent is DIFC.
Fintech & VASP
ADGM’s FSRA runs a respected fintech and virtual-asset framework — a credible base for exchanges, payments and blockchain firms that banks recognise. For a trade-focused crypto base, compare DMCC.
Family offices & holding (SPV)
ADGM’s low-cost SPV consolidates assets, IP and shares with no office or visas. For a pure offshore holding vehicle, compare a UAE offshore company.
Professional & advisory firms
Legal, consulting and advisory firms use ADGM for its common-law contracts and prestige. Serving UAE clients directly may also need an Abu Dhabi mainland licence.
Local market & government work
If you sell to customers or bid for public tenders in the UAE, that’s a mainland matter, not a free zone — see Abu Dhabi mainland company formation or a mainland LLC.
ADGM company formation: what’s included
Setup with Legarithm is a full turnkey package — not just a licence.
Route & licence class
The right ADGM route — SPV, tech startup, professional or FSRA-regulated — for what you actually do.
Name & registration
Name reservation, application and submission to ADGM.
Office or flexi-desk
Flexi-desk or a serviced ADGM office matched to your visa quota (SPVs need none).
Establishment & immigration
Establishment card and immigration registration to sponsor visas.
Residence visas & Emirates ID
Investor and employee visas, medical, Emirates ID and stamping.
Tax & VAT
Corporate-tax registration with the FTA and VAT where thresholds are met.
Bank account support
A bank-ready application and introductions to ADGM-friendly banks.
Ongoing compliance
Licence renewal, UBO register, economic substance and annual accounting.
Not sure ADGM is the right base?
A free call maps the cheapest route to what your business actually needs.
ADGM vs other routes
How ADGM compares with DIFC, the Abu Dhabi mainland and offshore — pick by what your business needs, not by price alone.
| Parameter | ADGM | DIFC (Dubai) | Abu Dhabi mainland | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal system | English common law · own courts | English common law · own courts | UAE civil law | Offshore statute |
| Regulator | FSRA | DFSA | ADDED | Registry only |
| Best for | Funds, fintech, family offices, holding | Same, Dubai-based | Local market, gov tenders | Pure holding |
| Ownership | 100% | 100% | 100% (most activities) | 100% |
| Residence visas | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| SPV / holding licence | Yes — low-cost SPV | Yes | No | Yes |
| Licence from | SPV ~AED 3,000; operating ~AED 15,000+ | ~AED 12,000–30,000+ | ~AED 12,000–20,000 | ~AED 8,000–15,000 |
ADGM is the base for financially regulated and holding structures in the capital. Selling to the UAE market instead? An Abu Dhabi mainland company. The Dubai equivalent is DIFC; for trade, DMCC. Compare every route on our UAE company formation hub.
We'll set up your ADGM company efficiently and in full legal compliance.
Our experts guide you through the whole process — vehicle choice, Registration Authority, FSRA where needed, compliance and visas — so your ADGM structure is sound from day one.
Eligibility Criteria & Papers
ADGM company formation is open to almost any nationality — the documents depend on who owns the company and which licence class you choose.
- Valid passport copy (all shareholders and directors)
- Recent passport-size photograph (white background)
- Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement, usually not older than 3 months)
- UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy (if already a UAE resident)
- CV and business plan for FSRA-regulated activities
How ADGM company formation works
Setup with Legarithm is a five-step process; an SPV can be days, an operating or FSRA licence longer.
ADGM company formation cost
Cost depends on the licence class, office and visas — here are indicative 2026 ranges.
| Item | Indicative 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| SPV / holding licence | from ~AED 3,000–5,500/yr |
| Tech startup licence | from ~AED 5,500–12,000/yr |
| Operating / professional licence | from ~AED 15,000–35,000+/yr |
| Financial services (FSRA) licence | Individual · scoped after review |
| Flexi-desk / office | ~AED 15,000–45,000+/yr |
| Residence visa (per person) | ~AED 3,000–5,000 |
| Corporate tax & VAT registration | Individual · after a free consultation |
| Legarithm fee | Individual · after a free consultation |
Ranges are indicative for 2026 and depend on activity, office and visas; FSRA-regulated activities are scoped individually. Corporate tax registration with the Federal Tax Authority is mandatory even at 0%; bookkeeping runs through our UAE accounting services.
ADGM company formation: FAQ
Still have questions?
How much does ADGM company formation cost?
Indicatively for 2026: an SPV from ~AED 3,000/yr, a tech startup from ~AED 5,500/yr, an operating or professional licence from ~AED 15,000/yr, plus office and ~AED 3,000–5,000 per visa. FSRA-regulated activities are scoped individually — confirmed after a free call; bookkeeping runs through our UAE accounting services.
What is ADGM and who regulates it?
The Abu Dhabi Global Market is the MENA region’s largest international financial centre — 11,000+ active licences, English common law, its own courts and the FSRA financial regulator.
What is an ADGM SPV?
A Special Purpose Vehicle — a low-cost holding company for assets, IP or shares, with no office or visas required. It’s ADGM’s most popular structure for family offices and holding.
ADGM or DIFC — which is better?
Both are common-law financial centres with their own courts. ADGM is in Abu Dhabi (FSRA); DIFC is in Dubai (DFSA). The choice usually follows where your team, banks and clients are.
ADGM or Abu Dhabi mainland?
ADGM is a free zone for finance and holding; the mainland is for selling to the UAE market and government tenders. If you need both, we structure them together — see Abu Dhabi mainland company formation.
What tax will an ADGM company pay?
0% corporate tax up to AED 375,000 and on qualifying income, 9% above; VAT is 5% once turnover passes AED 375,000. Registration with the Federal Tax Authority is mandatory even at 0% — handled by our UAE tax services.
Can an ADGM company sponsor residence visas?
Operating licences with an office sponsor investor and employee visas; an SPV does not carry visas, since it has no office.
Can foreigners own 100% of an ADGM company?
Yes — as a free zone, ADGM has always allowed 100% foreign ownership, with no local sponsor.
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Our team ensures your business setup is smooth, efficient, and compliant with local laws. Contact us today to discuss your project.
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