Hi Ryaan,

If you're setting up a business in an Abu Dhabi free zone, the licence cost mainly depends on your business activity, chosen free zone, and workspace or visa requirements. In 2026, a typical Abu Dhabi free zone licence costs around AED 7,000 to AED 25,000+ per year.

Here’s a general breakdown:

• Service / Consultancy Licence: Around AED 7,000–AED 12,500 for basic packages. These are commonly suitable for consultants, professional service providers, and tech startups.
• Commercial / Trading Licence: Approximately AED 10,000–AED 18,000 annually for activities such as general trading, import/export, and distribution.
• Industrial / Manufacturing Licence: Usually AED 15,000–AED 25,000+, as these businesses may require warehouses, industrial facilities, or operational land.
• Financial & Regulated Activities: Licences in specialised jurisdictions such as ADGM can start from around AED 15,000–AED 25,000+ for the basic registration, with additional compliance costs depending on the activity.

You should also budget for visa allocations, flexi-desk or office facilities, establishment-related fees, and any additional business activities. Basic zero-visa packages are generally cheaper, while packages that include workspace and employment visas can increase the first-year cost by approximately AED 3,500 to AED 12,000.

In my experience, it's better to compare the complete package cost rather than looking only at the advertised licence fee. The cheapest licence may not be the most economical once office space, visas, and other mandatory requirements are added.