Does My Business Require Physical Office Space in ADGM? Here’s What to Know!

Written by: Rick Kamikura

Last Update: 5 May, 2025Read: 7 minutes
Does My Business Require Physical Office Space in ADGM? Here’s What to Know!
Does my business require physical office space in ADGM?

Yes, your business must have a physical office space in ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market). Unlike some places that allow purely virtual licenses, ADGM requires all entities, except certain SPVS, to rent real space.

You must submit a signed lease or membership agreement when applying for your ADGM license. The ADGM registration process explicitly requires proof of office space on Al Maryah or Al Reem Island.

ADGM’s startup license rules are strict. For instance, their Tech Start-Up license requires at least one dedicated desk or office space. Hot-desking or only a PO box is not accepted. This license further allows for three employee visas per desk, catering to small teams.

Now that we've established the basic requirement for the physical office space requirement in ADGM. Let’s explore what constitutes an ADGM company and the context in which this requirement applies. Continue reading, as this blog post provides additional information on ADGM, physical office space options in the region, cost estimations, and other factors to consider when expanding your business in Abu Dhabi’s global market. Read on!

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