The Abu Dhabi Global Market ("ADGM") is a financial free zone on Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands that applies English common law directly, with companies registered by the Registration Authority ("RA") under the ADGM Companies Regulations 2020. It is a fast-growing base for fintech, holding structures, family offices, and digital-asset firms, offering 100% foreign ownership, the RegLab fintech sandbox, and the 0% qualifying free-zone tax regime.
Most founders use the Private Company Limited by Shares under the ADGM Companies Regulations 2020, with the Special Purpose Vehicle ("SPV") a popular low-cost holding option and the ADGM Foundation used for wealth structuring. Financial-services firms are additionally regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority ("FSRA"); a foreign parent may register a branch.
There is no minimum capital for non-regulated companies (regulated firms hold FSRA capital set by licence category), and ADGM permits 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor, though a company secretary and a registered office within ADGM are required (SPVs are exempt from the physical-office requirement). Registration is handled online through the AccessADGM platform, with licences split into financial (Category A), non-financial (Category B, including tech and holding companies), and retail (Category C). Government fees are USD-denominated and vary by activity and structure — an SPV licence starts at roughly US$1,000–1,900, with discounted tech-startup licences available — and setup typically takes about two to four weeks.
UAE federal corporate tax applies at 9% above AED 375,000 (≈ US$102,000), with 0% available to a Qualifying Free Zone Person meeting substance and income conditions, and a 15% Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax for large multinational groups. Federal VAT of 5% applies, there is no personal income tax or withholding tax, and the Federal Tax Authority ("FTA") administers tax. ADGM companies must keep accounting records and file audited accounts unless an exemption (such as for SPVs or small companies) applies, and must disclose beneficial owners to the Registration Authority.