Six Licenses that Constitute the Economic Activities in Abu Dhabi

MediaIn – Abu Dhabi

The law governing the issuance of licenses in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi defines all types of commercial activities. It also stipulates that no economic activity or branch of this activity may be carried out to any natural or legal person without obtaining a license from the competent authority and fulfilling the legal conditions.

The authority to issue the commercial license depends on the activity or activities intended to be carried out. Licenses are obtained from one of the following entities: the Department of Economic Development, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, the Supreme Economic Zones Corporation and the free zone authorities such as Masdar and the Media Zone Authority.

The Types of licenses for economic activities in Abu Dhabi include:

Commercial license: Issued to the owners of companies or institutions that carry out commercial activities such as general trade, construction, real estate, transport, clinics, hospitals and others. The Department of Economic Development is the competent authority to issue this type of commercial license.

Agricultural license: issued to owners of farms that work in plant production, marine or animal, and the Department of Economic Development is competent to issue agricultural licenses.

Professional license: issued to craftsmen who work in an independent craft and return to them using their physical effort or using some tools and equipment, including carpentry, blacksmithing, printing, etc. These licenses are issued by the Department of Economic Development.

Professional license: issued to professionals who rely on their work on their studies and mental abilities and scientific talents, such as consulting offices, law offices and audit offices and others, and the Department of Economic Development to issue professional licenses.

Industrial license: issued to the owners of all kinds of factories that work in manufacturing products to sell to earn profit, and the Supreme Institution for Specialized Economic Zones is the authority authorized to issue industrial licenses.

Tourist license: issued to the owners of tourist facilities and establishments that are engaged in various forms of tourism activities, including hotels, travel, tourist restaurants, cruise boats, floating restaurants, etc. The tourist licenses are issued by ADTA.

Free Zone entities such as Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) and the Media Zone Authority also issue commercial licenses to companies operating in these regions.