8 October 2026
Abu Dhabi issued 5% more new economic licences in the first half of 2026 than in the same period of 2025, according to data published on Thursday, 8 October 2026 by the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), the business regulation arm of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). The fastest growth came from individual entrepreneurs: Freelancer licences rose 224%, more than three times the H1 2025 level, and new crafts and occupational licences rose 136%. Renewed licences were up 5%, advertising permits up 14%, and 151 industrial licences with total investments exceeding AED 106 million moved to the construction or production stage.
What ADRA reported for January to June 2026
ADRA compares the first six months of 2026 with January to June 2025. The release gives growth rates by licence category, not the absolute number of licences issued in the half year. Overall, new economic licences grew 5% and renewals grew 5%, while advertising permits rose 14%.
By category, the release lists the following changes: Freelancer licences up 224%, new crafts and occupational licences up 136%, Mobdea licences up 10%, Tajer Abu Dhabi licences up 8% and commercial licences up 4%. In the industrial category, 90 licences moved to the construction stage and 61 completed construction and moved into production. ADDED puts the combined investment behind these 151 licences at more than AED 106 million.
Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of ADDED, said the result is particularly significant because it came amid challenging geopolitical and economic conditions in the region and on top of high levels recorded in previous years. Mohamed Munif Al Mansoori, Director General of ADRA, said that in the first half of 2026 the authority introduced 11 new economic activities, issued new policies and expanded service integration with government entities and private sector institutions.
Key figures
| Indicator, H1 2026 vs H1 2025 | Change |
|---|---|
| New economic licences | +5% |
| Renewed licences | +5% |
| Advertising permits | +14% |
| Freelancer licences | +224% |
| New crafts and occupational licences | +136% |
| Mobdea licences | +10% |
| Tajer Abu Dhabi licences | +8% |
| Commercial licences | +4% |
| Industrial licences moved to construction | 90 |
| Industrial licences moved to production | 61 |
| Investment behind these 151 licences | Over AED 106 million |
| New economic activities added | 11 |
How the half year compares with Q1 2026 and 2025
The half-year figures follow a stronger first quarter. For January to March 2026, ADRA reported a 21% increase in new economic licences, a 12% rise in active licences, 261% growth in freelance licences, 17% in Tajer Abu Dhabi and 15% in Mobdea. By region, new licences in Q1 grew 58% in Al Ain, 28% in Al Dhafra and 18% in Abu Dhabi. Across the full six months, growth in new licences stood at 5% and freelancer growth at 224%, so the pace slowed after the first quarter. ADRA has not published a separate figure for April to June.
The base is also high. For full-year 2025, ADRA reported 29% growth in new and active economic licences, 20% growth in renewals and 13.5% growth in active licences. Freelancer licences rose from 2,065 in 2024 to 3,502 in 2025, up 70%, after doubling from 1,013 in 2023. Tajer Abu Dhabi licences went from 7,187 to 8,901, up 24%, and Mobdea licences from 2,503 to 3,306, up 32%.
What the Freelancer, Tajer and Mobdea licences are
The categories with the strongest growth are designed for individuals and small businesses rather than for classic companies with an office and staff.
- Freelancer licence. According to ADDED, it allows UAE nationals and residents with specialised skills and expertise to engage in more than 100 economic activities at minimal cost. It is aimed at individual professionals rather than companies with employees.
- Tajer Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi Trader). Open to UAE nationals, UAE residents and GCC nationals. ADRA describes it as suited to one person companies owned by Emiratis or GCC nationals and to limited liability companies owned by residents in partnership with Emiratis. No office lease is required for the first three years, more than 1,200 activities are available, and the basic licence costs AED 790 with six activities, within a range of AED 790 to AED 5,500. In September 2026 Abu Dhabi gave Tajer holders an extra year without an office if their three-year term expires in 2026.
- Mobdea. A licence for Emirati women who turn creative skills into commercial ventures. In the first half of 2026 ADRA issued 3,058 new economic licences to Emirati businesswomen, up 6.4% from 2,873 a year earlier, and Mobdea licences grew 10.1%.
The renewal fine waiver has already ended
ADRA named one specific measure behind the half-year result: a three-month exemption of economic establishments from outstanding fines for late renewal of their licences. The initiative ran until 15 August 2026. According to an ADRA release of 8 September 2026, 7,823 commercial and industrial establishments used it, and the total value of the exemptions exceeded AED 11.6 million. The window is now closed, and ADRA has not announced a new round. In 2025 a separate initiative allowed owners of licences expired for three years or more to update their status.
What it means for companies and entrepreneurs
For someone already living in the UAE, the data shows that Abu Dhabi’s light licence formats are in demand. An individual professional can work under a Freelancer licence, and a resident who needs a company structure can look at Tajer Abu Dhabi, where the route for residents is a limited liability company with an Emirati partner.
For a foreign founder who is not yet a UAE resident, these formats are not the starting point, because both are limited to nationals and residents. The usual route is a mainland or free zone company, which then becomes the basis for residence visas. Our UAE company formation guide walks through the steps, and the comparison of mainland and free zone companies explains where each structure fits.
The 11 new economic activities added in the first half of 2026 are not listed in the release. Before choosing a licence, check the current activity list with ADDED: according to ADRA, the fee depends on the activities and the legal form selected.
Checklist for starting a business in Abu Dhabi
- Confirm your status first: Freelancer licences are for UAE nationals and residents, Tajer Abu Dhabi also for GCC nationals.
- Choose the activity and check it in the current ADDED list, including activities added in 2026.
- Decide whether you need a company with partners, staff and visas or an individual licence for your own work.
- For Tajer Abu Dhabi, check when your three-year no-office period ends and whether the 2026 extension applies.
- Put the licence renewal date in your calendar: the late renewal fine waiver ended on 15 August 2026.
- Plan banking early: a bank will ask for the licence, the activity and evidence of real business.
How Atlant Capital can help
We help founders choose between mainland Abu Dhabi, Dubai and free zones, select activities, prepare documents and obtain the licence through our company setup service. After licensing we support corporate bank account opening and residence visas for founders and staff. If you already work under a Tajer Abu Dhabi or Freelancer licence and are growing, we can assess when it makes sense to move to a full company structure.
Conclusion
ADRA’s half-year data shows steady growth in Abu Dhabi licensing: 5% more new economic licences, 5% more renewals and 14% more advertising permits than in H1 2025. The sharpest increases came from individual formats, with Freelancer licences up 224% and crafts and occupational licences up 136%, while 151 industrial licences worth more than AED 106 million moved closer to production. Growth slowed from the 21% recorded in Q1, but it comes on top of a strong 2025. For residents, the light formats remain the fastest way to start; for non-residents, the entry point is still a full company.
Source: Gulf News, Abu Dhabi Media Office.
FAQ
How many new business licences did Abu Dhabi issue in H1 2026?
ADRA reported that Abu Dhabi issued 5% more new economic licences in January to June 2026 than in the same period of 2025. The release gives growth rates only, without the absolute number of licences. Renewals also rose 5% and advertising permits 14%.
Who can get a Freelancer licence in Abu Dhabi?
According to ADDED, the Freelancer licence allows UAE nationals and residents with specialised skills and expertise to engage in more than 100 economic activities at minimal cost. Demand is growing fast: the number of these licences rose 224% in H1 2026, after growing from 2,065 in 2024 to 3,502 in 2025.
Can a foreigner get a Tajer Abu Dhabi licence?
Only if they are a UAE resident or a GCC national. Tajer Abu Dhabi is open to UAE nationals, UAE residents and GCC nationals; residents use it through a limited liability company with an Emirati partner. It requires no office for the first three years, and the basic licence costs AED 790 with six activities.
Is the Abu Dhabi late licence renewal fine waiver still available?
No. ADRA’s three-month exemption from outstanding fines for late licence renewal ended on 15 August 2026. It was used by 7,823 commercial and industrial establishments, with exemptions exceeding AED 11.6 million. ADRA has not announced a new round.
