Abu Dhabi boasts first-class infrastructure and unparalleled global connectivity, making it a premier international destination. Its exceptional qualities make it an ideal location to live, work, and conduct business.
A financial centre that provides transparency, efficiency, and integrity, through its progressive frameworks, future focused infrastructure, all within a familiar independent legal jurisdiction – ADGM is the perfect platform for success.
AccessRP is a next-generation digital platform transforming the real estate experience in ADGM. Designed to streamline interactions across the ecosystem, AccessRP brings together landlords, developers, and tenants in one seamless environment, providing real-time access to services, data, and insights.
Our community of business professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors can depend on ADGM to provide timely news and reliable insights.
At ADGM, we offer various support options, including contact details, FAQs, enquiry forms, and a whistleblowing form.
ADGM distinguishes between proprietary activities, intra-group activities and activities carried on by way of business for third parties. This guidance explains how these activities are classified and which activity combinations may be licensed within a single ADGM entity.
Proprietary activities are carried out by an entity for its own account or within its corporate group. Third-party commercial activities involve providing goods or services to persons outside the corporate group by way of business (non-proprietary activities).
The classification determines which activities may be combined within a single commercial licence and whether separate ADGM entities are required.
Intra-group activities are a subset of proprietary activities and are carried out exclusively within the same corporate group. Proprietary and intra-group activities are distinct from non-proprietary activities involving the provision of goods or services to external customers, clients or counterparties.
The Registration Authority distinguishes proprietary and intra-group activities from non-proprietary activities. Proprietary business is carried out by an entity for its own account or within its corporate group. Non-proprietary activities involve providing goods or services to persons outside the corporate group by way of business.
An ADGM licensed entity carrying out proprietary or intra-group activities cannot combine those activities with non-proprietary activities within the same licence.
This policy applies with immediate effect to new applications submitted to Registration Authority. Existing ADGM licensed entities will not be affected and may continue to operate in accordance with the activities currently reflected on their licence, subject to ongoing compliance with applicable ADGM requirements.
Determine whether the proposed entity will operate for its own account (proprietary), exclusively within its corporate group (intra-group), or provide goods or services to external customers (non-proprietary).
Ensure that all selected activities fall within the same category — either proprietary/intra-group or non-proprietary. For proprietary and intra-group business activities, applicants may refer to the Proprietary and Intra-Group Business Activities list.
The application is submitted through ADGM's Online Registry Solution.
Proprietary activities are carried out by an entity for its own account, benefit or internal purposes. They do not involve generating revenue through the provision of goods or services to third parties. Examples include the activities of holding companies, proprietary investment, proprietary asset management and treasury functions.
Intra-group activities are carried out exclusively between entities within the same corporate group and do not involve external clients. Examples include group treasury services, internal accounting support, regional management functions, intra-group management support and internal administrative coordination. Intra-group activities are a subset of proprietary activities.
Non-proprietary activities involve providing goods or services by way of business to external customers, clients or counterparties for a monetary consideration. Examples include consulting, advisory, software, recruitment and other commercial or trading activities carried out for persons outside the entity's corporate group.
Proprietary activities may be combined with other proprietary activities, including intra-group activities. Proprietary and intra-group activities cannot be combined with non-proprietary activities within a single ADGM licensed entity. This distinction ensures that entities licensed for proprietary or intra-group purposes are clearly separated from entities providing goods or services to third parties. It avoids confusion regarding the nature of the entity's business and the services it is authorised to provide.
Incompatible activity combinations are identified at the application stage. The applicant is required to amend the activity selection before the application proceeds.
No. All ADGM entities have the legal capacity to own shares and other assets. A holding company licence is required only where holding, acquiring, managing or disposing of equity, assets or interests is itself the entity's primary licensed business activity. For example, an ADGM entity licensed to carry out other activities may hold shares in a subsidiary as part of its ordinary operations without adding the "Activities of Holding Companies" licence.
Two separate ADGM entities may be established: one licensed to carry on proprietary and/or intra-group activities, and another licensed to carry on the non-proprietary activities. For example, one entity may be established for holding or internal investment and another for providing services to external customers.
No. Existing entities that already hold licensed activity combinations that would not be permitted under this guidance will not be required to amend or restructure their existing licensing arrangements solely as a result of this policy.
A business is generally proprietary where it operates for its own account or within its corporate group. A business is generally considered non-proprietary where it provides goods or services by way of business to external customers. Where both business models are intended, they must be carried on through separate legal entities.
We use cookies and similar technologies that are necessary to operate the website. Additional cookies are used to perform analysis of website usage. By continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of cookies. For more information, please read our Cookies Policy.