Business Set-Up in ADGM

Business-focused legal support for business set-up in ADGM in the UAE, helping companies reduce risk and move forward with confidence.

Company Incorporation & Formation in ADGM

We guide businesses in choosing and establishing the right structure; covering liability, tax, and regulatory requirements to build a strong legal foundation.

In-depth description

Incorporation and Formation service offers expert guidance on choosing and establishing the right business structure. We provide insights into each structure’s liability, tax implications, and regulatory requirements, helping businesses make informed decisions for a strong legal foundation.

Scope of work

  • Prepare all required application forms for the chosen jurisdiction (mainland or free zone).
  • Draft the company’s constitutional documents (e.g., Memorandum of Association).
  • Manage the submission of the entire application file to the relevant authority.
  • Liaise with the authority until the trade license and corporate documents are issued.

Price range

AED 25,000 – AED 250,000
Cumulative assessment – billed Lump Sum.

Primary Determinants of Pricing
Existing structure, number of shareholders and stakeholders.
Private or public company.
Class of shares.

Deliverables

  • The company’s official Trade License.
  • The registered Memorandum of Association.
  • The Establishment Card and other ancillary corporate registration documents.

Is ADGM the right jurisdiction for your business?

Are you a financial firm or investment vehicle?

ADGM is Abu Dhabi's international financial centre, offering a common law framework and FSRA regulation for licensed entities.

Do you need to set up a family office or holding structure?

ADGM offers specific frameworks for family offices and private wealth vehicles, with strong legal and regulatory clarity.

Are you looking for a recognised offshore-style jurisdiction?

ADGM SPVs and LLPs are used by international investors for asset holding, fund structuring, and cross-border transactions.

Do your clients or investors require an ADGM-regulated entity?

Some mandates require ADGM-licensed counterparties. We manage the full formation and FSRA licensing application process.

Frequently asked questions

ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) operates under direct application of English common law and has its own independent courts and FSRA financial regulator. It is the preferred choice for sophisticated financial services, holding structures, family offices and any business wanting strong common law foundations in Abu Dhabi.
ADGM licenses include financial services (regulated by the FSRA), professional services, foundations, holding entities and SPVs. Crypto and virtual asset activities can be licensed under ADGM’s framework. Non-financial activities require ADGM Registrar approval. Activity confirmation at the outset prevents downstream complications.
 
ADGM is a leading jurisdiction for foundations, SPVs and family office structures. Its regulatory framework is purpose-built for these structures, with flexible governance, English common law trust principles, and recognition in international jurisdictions. Setup is typically efficient for clean, well-prepared applications.
ADGM entities are within scope of UAE corporate tax. They may qualify for the 0% rate as a Qualifying Free Zone Person on qualifying income, subject to substance requirements and activity tests. Non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. Tax structuring must be considered at the entity formation stage.

Yes. ADGM is widely used by international clients establishing holding structures, family offices or investment vehicles. UAE residency is not a prerequisite for shareholders or directors, though substance requirements under corporate tax and economic substance rules must be met for the structure to be effective.

Key contacts:

Romain Astruc

Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation

Gabriel Elmarzouki

Associate – Corporate, Commercial & Litigation

Robin Cordeiro

Associate – Corporate and Regulatory Consultant

Get in touch

Other services you might need

An ADGM entity brings regulatory and governance obligations from day one – these services are the natural and necessary next steps.

Regulatory Compliance for UAE Businesses

ADGM companies face specific FSRA and ADGM Authority compliance requirements. We map and manage them proactively.
Learn more

Accounting, Auditing & Tax - UAE Corporate Compliance

ADGM entities are within scope of UAE corporate tax. We ensure your tax structure and filings are correct from year one.
Learn more

Bank Account Opening Assistance in the UAE

ADGM entities need a UAE bank account. We manage the KYC process and coordinate with your chosen institution.
Learn more

WHAT SET US APART

Why ASTRUC & Co

ADGM offers a world-class common law environment for international businesses. We know it in detail and set up entities regularly.

1.

ADGM expertise

We incorporate companies, foundations and funds in ADGM regularly – knowing the ADGM Authority’s requirements, the FSRA regulatory framework and ADGM court procedure in

2.

Business-first advice

We help you determine whether ADGM – versus DIFC, mainland or another free zone – is the right fit for your business before you invest in setup. Jurisdiction choice is

3.

Cross-border fluency

ADGM is the preferred base for international financial and professional services businesses. We guide clients from France and internationally through setup with expertise on

More than legal counsel

With you, all the way

Life in the UAE brings extraordinary opportunities — and equally complex legal realities. Whether you’re relocating your family, navigating a divorce across jurisdictions, or structuring an inheritance that spans continents, you deserve a legal partner who understands both the technicalities and the human side of what you’re going through. At ASTRUC & Co, we treat every client’s situation as if it were our own.

From our offices in Dubai to our network spanning Riyadh, Paris, and Luxembourg, we bring senior-level attention to every matter — personal or financial. We believe the best legal advice is honest, clear, and delivered by someone who genuinely cares about the outcome. That’s why our clients stay with us, and why they come back when life presents its next chapter.

Ready to move forward?

Book a consultation with our team to discuss your situation and explore the right legal and strategic approach for your business.

Schedule a consultation

One hour consultation

book now

30-minute consultation

book now
Merger and Acquisition
  • Set-up of the Workstreams related to the Transaction
  • Legal Due Diligence
  • Tax Due Diligence
  • Negotiating and Drafting the SPA
  • Assistance related to Conditions Precedents
  • Registration of the Transaction with the Authorities
Private Equity
  • Advisory on PE life cycle from Fund Formation, Capital Deployment, M&A, etc.
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Banking &Finance
  • Banking loan documentation negotiation and review including requested securities
  • Account opening requirements and forms
  • Compliance controls upon onboarding as a bank customer and regular updates to allow flawless funds repatriation
  • Escalation if needed with banking authorities and preparing file for litigation
  • Arabic speaker for immediate translation or intermediation with third parties including local authorities.
Commercial
  • Commercial Agency – Contract Drafting and Litigation
  • Rent-Sales Contract – Contract Drafting, Contract Management and Litigation
  • Logistic Services Contract
  • IT Services Contract
  • Intermediary Contract
  • Other Services Contract
Construction
  • FIDIC Short Form of Contract
  • FIDIC Larger or more complex projects (the Construction Contract)
  • FIDIC Contractor doing the Design (Plant and Design-Build Contract)
  • FIDIC EPC/Turnkey Contract
  • Review of Ad Hoc Contracts
  • Assistance for Management of the Contract
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Employment Relationship
  • Assistance during Recruitment Phase with Executive Search Agents or Recruitment Agency
  • Drafting Offer Letter and Employment Contract
  • Drafting Disciplinary Policy and Documentation
  • Registration of Company with Labour Authorities
  • Registration of Employee with Labour Authorities
  • Assistance During Disciplinary Proceedings
  • Termination Strategy and Execution
  • Litigation Services
HR Strategy – Advisory Services
  • Labour Market Analysis
  • Labour Legislation Memo and Manual
  • Analysis of Remuneration Trends, Structures and Composition
  • Labour Taxation
  • Industry Practice reg. bonus, schedule, overtime, leave, length of service, etc.
Business Set-Up and Maintenance
  • Comparative Study on Options Available
  • Legal Memorandum on Corporate and Tax Laws
  • Set-Up Services (Company, Immigration, Labour, Banking, Tax)
  • Nominee Services (Regulated Activity)
  • Shareholders Agreements
  • Board of Directors Structuring
  • Dissolution, Liquidation, Bankruptcy Proceedings
  • Litigation/Arbitration (Manager or Shareholders Dispute)
  • Redomiciliation
Joint Venture and Investors Relationship
  • Set-up of Joint Venture Company
  • Drafting Joint Venture Agreement
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Expatriation Services
  • Employment Package and Contract Review
  • Wealth Management Advisory
  • Tenancy Opportunities and Contract Advisory
  • Medical Insurance Advisory
  • Banking Advisory
  • School Advisory
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
Relocation
  • Resignation Strategy
  • Tax Situation Review
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
  • Administration of the Departure and Legal Representation
Advisory
  • Advisory Services on the Developer (reliability check)
  • Review of Contract with Developer
  • Conveyance of Property and Supervision of the Sales Process
  • Legal Representation for the Purchase/Sales
  • Assistance with Engineers and Contractors
  • Assistance with tenants or holidays home management firm
Litigation
  • Cancellation of Contract
  • Cancellation of Project
  • Disputes regarding Lands
  • Disputes regarding Permits and Licenses
  • Dispute with Engineer or Contractor
Civil Status
  • Amendment of Civil Status (divorced/married) in Home Country
  • Change of Name
  • Transcription of Marriage or Divorce
  • Legalisation Services with Consulate and Embassies
Nationality and Immigration
  • Application for Nationality due to family reasons
  • Coordination Services for Obtaining Nationality based on Investment (more than 40 countries)
  • Immigration Services to Schengen Country (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to GCC countries (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Golden Visa, Nationality)
Succession Planning
  • Overall Estate Planning with Financial and Legal Experts
  • Set-up of Shariah Compliant Foundation or Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Trust (DIFC, UAE, ADGM, Foreign based)
  • Set-up of Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Last Wills in the UAE, Qatar, KSA and various territories, as needed
  • Family Counseling - Mediation of dispute between family members
Inheritance Proceedings
  • In any country where there are assets
  • Court proceedings based on Shariah Law
  • Court proceedings based on Deceased Law
  • Court Proceedings based on Last Will
Crime against the Person and Narcotics
  • Assault, Sexual Abuse, Murder
  • Kidnapping
  • Household Theft
  • Threat, Insult, Defamation, Harassment
  • Social Media Crimes
  • IT Crimes
  • Stealing or Misappropriation of Personal Data
  • Narcotics
Business Crimes
  • AML issues
  • Cryptocurrency and other Investment related Scams
  • Breach of Trust
  • Deception and Fraud
  • Theft of business secrets
  • Insolvency related Crimes
  • Accounting Crimes
  • Interpol
Marriages
  • Marriage between French nationals
  • Marriage involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Marriage involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Marriage involving two persons of different nationality
  • Marriage involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws
Divorces
  • Divorce between French nationals
  • Divorce involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Divorce involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Divorce involving two persons of different nationality
  • Divorce involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws