Company registration in Abu Dhabi is quite simple and fast if all the documents are correctly prepared and if all the necessary licenses are obtained. Foreign investors may also register companies in Abu Dhabi if they partner with a local investor or in one of Abu Dhabi’s free zones, which allow 100% foreign ownership. Our agents for opening a companyin Dubai can also help you register a company in Abu Dhabi.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Types of companies available in Abu Dhabi | – limited liability company, – joint stock, – general & limited partnership, – subsidiary, – branch, – holding company, etc. |
| Business approvals made by | Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
| Trade name registration | Must be done with the Department of Economic Development (DED) in the UAE. |
| Legislation | Companies Act in the UAE |
| Most popular business structure | limited liability company |
| Required documents | – Articles of Association, – Memorandum of Association, – Shareholders’ Agreement, – lease contract, – proof of registered business address, – IDs/passports of business owners, etc. |
| Application for a business license | Mandatory, according to the type of activities in Abu Dhabi. The application is done with DED. |
| Business bank account required | YES |
| 100% ownership | YES |
| VAT registration | Compulsory. We assist business owners in VAT registration in Abu Dhabi. 5% is the standard VAT rate. |
| Business startup costs | Involve: – registration fee, – license fee, – consulting & representation expenses. |
| Optimal sectors for business formation in Abu Dhabi | – finance, – IT, – cryptocurrency, – tourism, etc. |
| Reasons to open a company in Abu Dhabi | – great location, – high-quality infrastructure, – varied business zones, – favorable taxation, etc. |
| Representative agent for a company in Abu Dhabi | Recommended. Our local agents can act as company representatives in Abu Dhabi. |
| Choosing our agents for company formation | We assist entrepreneurs from abroad in opening different types of business entities. We can manage the formalities and & procedures impose in registration. |
Table of Contents
Main steps to register a company in Abu Dhabi
When opening a new business in Abu Dhabi, local and foreign investors must follow the next steps:
- obtain a trade name approval from the Department of Planning and Economy,
- conclude a tenancy agreement,
- conclude a partnership agreement or a services agency agreement, which must be notarized,
- obtain a license from the competent authority.
All the above documents, together with other relevant information, must be submitted to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Abu Dhabi. You are invited to explore this infographic with details on this topic:
What are the types of companies to be registered in Abu Dhabi?
Foreign investors have two possibilities to incorporate a company in Abu Dhabi – a 100% foreign-owned company within a free zone or a company in which they must have a local partner. In the category of wholly foreign-owned companies, one may register:
- free zone limited liability company,
- a professional services company,
- a branch office,
- a representative office.
The other types of companies available for registration in Abu Dhabi are:
- sole proprietorships,
- general and limited partnerships,
- private and public joint-stock companies,
- limited liability companies,
- subsidiaries,
- branch offices.
You can rely on our experts in Dubai for details about the Companies Law in the UAE. They can also help you open a business in any UAE emirate, such as Dubai. The conditions are almost identical, and the registration can be completed in just a few days with the Company Register in Dubai. The Economic Department will approve your company, and it will issue a license, according to the industry in which your company operates.
What are the available types of business licenses in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi provides six types of business licenses for investors setting up companies in the Emirate. These are:
- the commercial license for conducting trading activities,
- the agricultural license,
- the professional license for individuals carrying out physical activities such as carpentry or masonry,
- the occupational license for consultants, lawyers, journalists,
- the industrial license,
- the tourism license.
Establishing a branch in Abu Dhabi
International companies have the opportunity of expanding the business in the UAE and particularly in Abu Dhabi, the capital of this country, by establishing a branch. Foreign investors can have 100% ownership in the branch they want to register, if the incorporation is made in Abu Dhabi’s free trade zones, with the mention that such a structure must develop the same activities as in the country of origin. All the operations of the branch must be reported to the parent company, due to its dependent status within such a structure.
It is important to know that the Ministry of Economy issues the approvals for opening a branch in Abu Dhabi. In matters of documents, the Articles of Association need to be drafted and submitted to the local Trade Register after the name verification and reservation are made. Finally, if all the documents are accepted, the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi will issue the Certificate of Incorporation. Instead of dealing with the formalities for establishing a branch in Abu Dhabi, we recommend you talk to one of our specialists in company formation in Dubai.
Establishing a subsidiary in Abu Dhabi
Subsidiaries are independent legal entities that can be easily established in Abu Dhabi by foreign company owners who want to develop their operations in the UAE. The private or public limited liability companies are the most common structures for establishing a subsidiary in Abu Dhabi, due to a series of advantages, like fast incorporation, a flexible structure, no personal liability of owners for the LLC obligations. Just like in the case of branches, the Articles of Association are the main documents of subsidiaries, with information about the owners, their nationality, the activities of the firm, voting rights, general rules and many more. International businessmen who want to set up subsidiaries in Abu Dhabi can get in touch with one of our company formation agents in Dubai for complete details and information.
How to register a joint stock company in Abu Dhabi
If you are interested in incorporating a joint stock company in Abu Dhabi, here are some of the most important formalities and procedures:
- the company name must be approved by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). Here too, a preliminary check of the trade name is carried out;
- the same institution issues approvals in the first phase to start the incorporation process of a joint stock company in Abu Dhabi.
- the applicant/company representative must provide proof of a physical office and present a lease agreement. This contract must be registered with the local municipality;
- AED 10 million is the minimum share capital for a public joint stock company, or AED 2 million for a private one. Once these amounts are deposited, depending on the business structure, the selected bank in Abu Dhabi will issue a certificate stating the paid-up capital for the JSC in question;
- a commercial license is required for opening a joint stock company in Abu Dhabi;
- Articles and Memorandum of Association are the main documents for the incorporation of a joint stock company in Abu Dhabi.
Those who want to start a JSC in Abu Dhabi are advised to keep in mind that the company documents must be in Arabic, they cannot be used. We provide complete company formation services in Abu Dhabi, including connecting you with translators, if you are a foreign entrepreneur and want to start a JSC here.
Joint ventures in Abu Dhabi
Those who want to start a business project can opt for opening a joint venture in Abu Dhabi. This business structure is quite flexible; it can be registered in the mainland or free zones for 100% ownership. If you choose the mainland for a joint venture in Abu Dhabi, you will need a local partner. On the other hand, a joint venture can be established based on an agreement that includes information about management, activities, business strategies, and even an expiration date, if this is taken into account. You can also discuss with us in this case if you want complete information about how to start a joint venture in Abu Dhabi, one of the available business forms here.
Can I open a representative office in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, a representative office can be the choice of international entrepreneurs interested in the business market in Abu Dhabi. Such offices cannot have financial operations, but they can develop varied marketing and promo activities, in order to verify the business sector in which your company will operate and to create connections and partnerships with potential customers and collaborators. It is quite easy to set up a representative office in Abu Dhabi and present your business in this city; however, it is recommended to ask for the support of our consultants. Our agents can help you with company incorporation in Dubai if you decide to open a legal entity after having a liaison office.
Making investments in Abu Dhabi
The UAE is a highly appreciated business destination for international players who want to thrive in this part of Asia and benefit from an appealing and solid climate for all sorts of activities. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, is an important and solid financial center that hosts a wide range of businesses and companies operating in the financial and services sector, tourism, insurance, engineering, IT & communication, research & development, healthcare, etc. The UAE is one of the strongest financial centers in the Middle East, and you might find it quite appealing for business and profits. Here are some facts and figures about the economy and business of the UAE:
Here are some interesting facts about the UAE economy that you can take into account if you want to start a company in Abu Dhabi:
- The real GDP of the UAE grew by approximately 3.9% in Q1 of 2025.
- The non-oil activities of the UAE sustained the country’s economic growth by around 5.3%.
- Around AED 455 billion was the real GDP value in Q1 of 2025.
- The manufacturing sector of the UAE grew by approximately 7.7% in the same period of 2025.
- The UAE’s GDP is predicted to reach around AED 3 trillion by the end of 2031.
For information about company licensing requirements in Abu Dhabi, please contact our Dubai company incorporation agents.