DMCC vs ADGM
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) (Dubai) or Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) (Abu Dhabi)? Here is how the two compare on cost, visas, speed and fit, and which one we would pick for different founders.
Choose DMCC for…
- A lower starting price (about AED 2,060 less in year one)
- Cheaper yearly renewal
- Faster setup (around 14 vs 21 working days)
- Flexi-desk options
- A Dubai address on your licence
- Popular with commodity traders
- Popular with crypto and web3 businesses
DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is Dubai's flagship free zone in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, home to nearly 26,000 member companies across commodities, trading, technology and Web3. It suits firms that need a highly recognised name for banks, suppliers and investors. Expect a first year of roughly AED 35,000 to 50,000 for a flexi-desk setup with one visa, and around two to four weeks from application to licence.
Choose ADGM for…
- Room for more visas (up to 10 vs 6)
- More activities on one licence (up to 5)
- Popular with holding companies and spvs
- Popular with financial services and fintech
ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) is a financial free zone on Al Maryah and Al Reem islands that applies English common law directly and has its own courts and regulator. It suits holding structures, SPVs, family wealth vehicles, fintechs and regulated financial firms. Since January 2025 a non-financial licence costs around USD 5,500 to 5,800 to register, and a tech startup licence about USD 1,500. Simple companies are often incorporated in one to three weeks; regulated firms take months.
DMCC vs ADGM side by side
| DMCC | ADGM | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Abu Dhabi |
| Packages from | AED 26,780 | AED 28,840 |
| Renewal from | AED 24,720 | AED 25,750 |
| Visa quota | Up to 6 | Up to 10 |
| Typical setup | ~14 working days | ~21 working days |
| Activities per licence | Up to 3 | Up to 5 |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, Shared office, Private office | Shared office, Private office |
| Activity areas | Trading, Commodities, Consultancy, Tech & IT, Crypto & Web3, E-commerce | Finance, Holding / SPV, Tech & IT, Crypto & Web3, Consultancy |
| Crypto / Web3 | Yes | Yes |
| Banking ease | ||
| Established | 2002 | 2015 |
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
DMCC in brief
DMCC began in 2002 as a government push to make Dubai a trading centre for gold, diamonds and other commodities. Over two decades it built the Dubai Diamond Exchange, a gold and precious metals ecosystem, tea and coffee centres, and a clearing culture for physical trade. That history still shapes its reputation: banks and counterparties around the world know the DMCC name.
Strengths
- Globally recognised name that reassures banks and partners
- Deep ecosystem for gold, diamonds, tea, coffee and other commodities
- Large Crypto Centre and other sector hubs with regular events
- Walkable district with two metro stations and housing nearby
Watch out for
- Among the most expensive free zones for a small company
- Registration, licence and facility billed separately, so quotes need care
- Annual audit adds cost and admin work
ADGM in brief
Abu Dhabi Global Market opened for business in 2015 as the capital's answer to a simple question: where should international money and contracts sit if they want a familiar legal system inside the UAE? The answer was a separate jurisdiction where English common law applies directly, with its own courts, its own company registry and its own financial regulator.
Strengths
- English common law applied directly, with its own courts, which institutional investors and foreign lawyers trust
- Non-financial fees roughly halved from January 2025, bringing ADGM within reach of ordinary consultancies and holding companies
- SPV, foundation and family office regimes that most mainland and budget free zones simply do not offer
- FSRA is a respected regulator with a sandbox route for fintechs and virtual asset firms
Watch out for
- Office space on Al Maryah is among the most expensive in Abu Dhabi, and operating companies must have premises
- Ongoing compliance is heavier: registers, accounts, possible audit and stricter beneficial ownership checks
- FSRA authorisation for financial activity is slow and needs real capital, staff and compliance systems
DMCC vs ADGM: common questions
Which is cheaper, DMCC or ADGM?
On our current packages, DMCC starts lower at around AED 26,780, against AED 28,840 for ADGM. Compare renewal too: DMCC renews from about AED 24,720 and ADGM from about AED 25,750. Prices are estimates; confirm before you pay.
Which gives more visas, DMCC or ADGM?
ADGM allows up to 10 visas, depending on the office you lease. DMCC allows up to 6.
Which is faster to set up, DMCC or ADGM?
DMCC is typically quicker at around 14 working days for the licence once documents are complete. Visas take one to three more weeks in either zone.
Is a DMCC licence valid for business in Abu Dhabi?
A free zone licence lets you operate inside the free zone and trade internationally. To sell directly to customers on the UAE mainland you usually need a distributor, a mainland branch or the right activity approvals, whichever zone you choose.
Can I move my company from DMCC to ADGM later?
Moving between free zones is possible but it is not a simple transfer. You normally register the new company or a branch in the other zone and then close or keep the old one, which means extra fees and visa paperwork. It is cheaper to pick the right zone at the start.
DMCC or ADGM? Ask an advisor
Tell us about your business. An advisor will recommend the best free zone and send you a full cost breakdown — usually within one working hour.
- Honest advice across all free zones
- Full cost breakdown — no hidden fees
- Licence, visa, bank account and tax in one place