Abu Dhabi Free Zone License Cost 2025: Complete Pricing Guide
ADGM, Masdar City and KEZAD price their licences differently, and the licence fee is only part of the budget
How the business activity decides the licence type in an Abu Dhabi free zone, followed by the 2025 fee tables for ADGM, Masdar City Free Zone and KEZAD. It then lists the costs beyond the licence fee, such as visas, office space and legal and professional fees, and closes on getting a tailored quote.
Reviewed by Mohamed Noureldin, Founder, Managing Partner & Senior Legal Consultant
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, has several free zones. Each caters to different industries and business types, and each has its own rules, regulations and costs. What you pay for a licence varies significantly depending on the free zone, the business activity and the specific needs of your company. On the 2025 figures below, a financial business in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) pays an initial registration fee of USD 16,700. The startup package in Masdar City Free Zone costs AED 7,000. The licence fee is also only one of the costs you need to factor into your budget.
Related services: Explore our free zone company formation services for practical legal support in this area.
Matching the licence to what the business does
A business licence is a legal document that permits you to conduct specific business activities within a particular jurisdiction. In Abu Dhabi's free zones, the respective free zone authority issues it. The type of licence you require will depend on the nature of your business activities. The most common types include:
- Commercial licence: for businesses involved in trading, import and export activities.
- Industrial licence: for companies engaged in manufacturing, processing and industrial activities.
- Professional licence: for service-oriented businesses and professionals, such as consultants, lawyers and accountants.
- E-commerce licence: for businesses conducting online trade and services.
Each free zone has its own specific regulations and procedures for obtaining these licences. Our free zone company setup team can support you with your business formation in Abu Dhabi.
ADGM sets separate fees for financial, non-financial and retail businesses
ADGM is an international financial centre and free zone on Al Maryah Island. It is a popular choice for financial services companies, but it also accommodates a wide range of non-financial businesses. Its licence costs vary depending on the business activity and legal structure.
| Fee type | Financial | Non-financial | Retail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial registration fee | USD 16,700 | USD 5,000 | USD 2,500 |
| Annual renewal fee | USD 16,200 | USD 5,000 | USD 2,500 |
For non-financial and retail businesses, the annual renewal fee is the same as the initial registration fee. For a financial business, renewal costs USD 16,200 against USD 16,700 at registration.
Masdar City Free Zone packages the licence with visa eligibility
Masdar City is a sustainable urban development and a hub for clean technology and renewable energy companies. It offers a range of business setup packages to suit different needs.
| Package | Cost (AED) | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Startup Package | 7,000 | Licence, one visa eligibility |
| Business One Package | 17,500 | Licence, two visa eligibility, shared office space |
Both packages include the licence. The Business One Package raises visa eligibility from one to two and adds shared office space.
KEZAD prices by licence term and number of visas
Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) is one of the largest industrial zones in the world, with connectivity to sea, air and land transport. It provides a variety of licence packages with different visa eligibility options.
| Visa package | 1-year licence (AED) | 2-year licence (AED) | 3-year licence (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 visa package | 9,350 | 17,600 | 22,275 |
| 2 visa package | 11,050 | 20,800 | 26,325 |
The price rises with a longer licence term and with a second visa.
Visa fees, office space and a possible bank guarantee
Beyond the licence fees, there are several other costs you need to factor into your budget when setting up in an Abu Dhabi free zone. These include:
- Registration fees: a one-time fee paid to the free zone authority for registering your company.
- Visa fees: costs associated with obtaining residency visas for yourself, your employees and your dependants.
- Office space: the cost of leasing or purchasing office space within the free zone.
- Bank guarantee: some free zones may require a bank guarantee as a security deposit.
- Legal and professional fees: fees for legal consultation, document preparation and other professional services.
Before you choose a free zone
The initial investment can be substantial. Set against it are the long-term benefits of operating in a low-tax environment with 100% foreign ownership. By researching the different free zones and their associated costs carefully, you can make a strategic decision for your business in the UAE.
Consulting a legal expert is essential to get a precise and tailored quote for your specific business requirements. Our free zone company formation and company formation teams can support businesses setting up in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should seek professional legal advice tailored to their specific circumstances before making any decisions or taking any action based on the content of this article.
Nour Attorneys Team
Further reading on free zones
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