About these figures: Costs and timelines on this page are indicative planning figures compiled from public free zone fee information. They have not been individually verified for this page, may be out of date, and must be confirmed with the free zone before you pay. How we source prices · How we compile data.
UAE Free Zone vs. DIFC vs. ADGM — Choosing the Right Jurisdiction 2026
UAE has three distinct legal environments: standard free zones, DIFC (English common law), and ADGM (English common law). Here is the 2026 guide to choosing the right jurisdiction.
In this guide:
Standard UAE Free Zones (IFZA, SHAMS, RAKEZ, etc.)
- Law: UAE Civil Law; Federal Company Law
- Courts: UAE courts (Arabic proceedings; Arabic contracts may be required)
- Cost: AED 7,000-20,000/year depending on free zone
- Best for: Service companies, trading, general business; most SMEs
- Regulated services: Not available for most regulated financial services
DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre)
- Law: English common law; separate DIFC courts
- DIFC Courts: World-class; English-language; internationally recognized judgments
- Cost: USD 10,000-15,000+/year; physical office required
- Best for: Financial services, international law firms, global companies needing English common law jurisdiction, fintech
- Regulated: DFSA-regulated financial services available
ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)
- Law: English common law; separate ADGM courts
- FSRA regulation: Abu Dhabi financial services regulation
- Cost: USD 8,000-15,000+/year; physical office required
- Best for: Family offices, wealth management, Abu Dhabi-focused financial companies
Decision Guide
- Small service company or consultant: Standard free zone (IFZA, SHAMS, RAKEZ)
- Financial services (regulated): DIFC or ADGM depending on focus
- International law firm: DIFC
- Family office: ADGM preferred; DIFC also available
- Cost-sensitive startup: Standard free zone; upgrade to DIFC/ADGM if needed later
Disclosure: UAE Free Zone Compare is an independent research platform. We may receive partner commissions if you request a quote through our forms — this is disclosed on every page where it applies. Our research and recommendations are independent.