ADGM
Abu Dhabi
- Price
- fromAED 28,840Estimated price
- Setup time
- ~21 days
- Visa quota
- Up to 10 visas
Best for: Holding companies and SPVs, Financial services and fintech
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Free zones in Abu Dhabi
5 free zones compared, with packages from AED 12,875. Independent research, honest pros and cons, and packages you can buy online.
Setting up a company in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the UAE capital and its largest emirate by area, with an economy shaped by energy, government investment and a fast-growing tech and finance scene. Business here often connects to large public projects, sovereign funds and industrial programmes, which gives the emirate a more institutional feel than Dubai.
Its free zones are fewer but deeper. ADGM is an international financial centre with its own common-law courts and financial regulator. KEZAD offers industrial land, warehouses and port access at Khalifa Port. Masdar City focuses on clean energy, sustainability and technology start-ups, twofour54 serves media, gaming and content companies, and the Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone serves logistics and trading near the airport.
Costs vary widely. Entry-level licences at Masdar or twofour54 can be broadly comparable to mid-range Dubai zones, while a regulated ADGM financial firm or an industrial plot at KEZAD involves much bigger budgets. All figures are estimates that should be confirmed with the zone.
Abu Dhabi suits founders targeting government or corporate clients in the capital, regulated finance firms, industrial manufacturers needing land and port links, and tech or media start-ups that can benefit from the emirate's incentive programmes.
How to choose in Abu Dhabi
- Choose ADGM only if you need a financial services licence, a holding structure under common law, or a fund or family office setup.
- Pick KEZAD when you need industrial land, a factory or a warehouse close to Khalifa Port.
- Look at Masdar City for clean-tech, sustainability and early-stage tech companies that want a start-up community.
- Consider twofour54 if you create media, games or digital content and want access to production facilities.
- Check whether your target clients are in Abu Dhabi; if most are in Dubai, a Dubai zone may be more practical.
Lowest starting price
Masdar
AED 12,875
Largest visa quota
KEZAD
Up to 20 visas
Fastest typical setup
Masdar
~10 working days
All Abu Dhabi free zones
KEZAD
Abu Dhabi
- Price
- fromAED 15,450Estimated price
- Setup time
- ~14 days
- Visa quota
- Up to 20 visas
Best for: Manufacturers, Logistics near Khalifa Port
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Masdar
Abu Dhabi
- Price
- fromAED 12,875Estimated price
- Setup time
- ~10 days
- Visa quota
- Up to 6 visas
Best for: Clean-tech and sustainability startups, Tech companies wanting Abu Dhabi
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twofour54
Abu Dhabi
- Price
- fromAED 15,450Estimated price
- Setup time
- ~10 days
- Visa quota
- Up to 6 visas
Best for: Media, gaming and production, Content creators
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ADAFZ
Abu Dhabi
- Price
- fromAED 14,935Estimated price
- Setup time
- ~10 days
- Visa quota
- Up to 6 visas
Best for: Air-freight logistics, Traders in Abu Dhabi
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| Free zone | From | Visas | Setup | In short |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADGM | AED 28,840 | Up to 10 | ~21 days | Holding companies and SPVs, Financial services and fintech |
| KEZAD | AED 15,450 | Up to 20 | ~14 days | Manufacturers, Logistics near Khalifa Port |
| Masdar | AED 12,875 | Up to 6 | ~10 days | Clean-tech and sustainability startups, Tech companies wanting Abu Dhabi |
| twofour54 | AED 15,450 | Up to 6 | ~10 days | Media, gaming and production, Content creators |
| ADAFZ | AED 14,935 | Up to 6 | ~10 days | Air-freight logistics, Traders in Abu Dhabi |
Prices are “from” estimates and subject to free zone fees. Confirm the final quote with our advisor before you pay.
Abu Dhabi free zone FAQs
Is ADGM a free zone?
ADGM is a financial free zone on Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands with its own civil and commercial laws, courts and financial regulator. It is best known for finance, holding and fund structures.
Which Abu Dhabi free zone suits a small consultancy?
Small service firms often look at Masdar City or the business centre options at other Abu Dhabi zones. Compare costs with Dubai and northern zones, since Abu Dhabi is not always the cheapest.
Can an Abu Dhabi free zone company work on government projects?
Free zone companies can supply some clients directly, but government tenders often require mainland registration or a local presence. Check tender rules before choosing your structure.
Does KEZAD offer small warehouses or only large plots?
KEZAD offers a range of facilities, including ready-built warehouses and smaller logistics units, alongside large industrial land plots. Availability changes, so check current stock.
Are there incentive programmes for start-ups in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi has run several programmes for tech and innovation companies, including support linked to Hub71 and specific zones. Eligibility and benefits change, so confirm current terms.
Is living in Abu Dhabi required for an Abu Dhabi free zone visa?
Your residence visa is issued through the Abu Dhabi zone, and living in the emirate is common, but many residents work across emirates. Check any address or tenancy requirements with the zone.
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