WhatsApp quoteAn Abu Dhabi mainland licence, issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), lets your company trade anywhere in the UAE, bid for government work and open as many branches as you need. Mainland company formation in Abu Dhabi is the right choice when your customers are inside the UAE, when you need a shop, clinic or contracting classification, or when visa quota matters. In practice, serving ADNOC and other operators requires supplier registration and often an In-Country Value score, which favours Abu Dhabi mainland entities. Equipment traders can work from Jebel Ali or Hamriyah free zones. The most common businesses Greeks open through GoldenKey are in shipping, hospitality, food exports and construction, although Abu Dhabi supports almost any activity.
Why Abu Dhabi
Businesses that benefit most from Abu Dhabi mainland licensing include oil and gas services, contracting, engineering, healthcare and education, because they serve customers on site across the emirate. Abu Dhabi holds around 90% of the UAE's oil reserves and most sovereign wealth.
How Abu Dhabi works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
We pick the precise activity codes from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) list and settle on the legal form — normally a LLC, or a sole establishment for individual professionals. For opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Greek founder this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and obtains sector approvals where needed.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
The memorandum of association is signed (online or before the notary), your tenancy is registered and the complete file is submitted to the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Greek founder is audit-ready.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Your Abu Dhabi mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Greek founder; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- Company profile
- A bank statement from your Greece bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- Attested parent-company supporting documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
Pricing
In short, all prices for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Greek founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. Put simply, the figures below for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Greek founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
| Additional visa | AED 3,200 |
|---|---|
| Annual renewal | AED 10,000 |
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-06.
Why the UAE
On the ground, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Greek founder for international founders. The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Greek founder and makes international pricing simple.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Greek founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. To be clear, we speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Greek founder. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Greek founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
In practice, ready to start? Send us a WhatsApp message with your nationality, the activity you have in mind and the number of visas you need, and we will reply shortly with a written quotation for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Greek founder.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Abu Dhabi mainland company formation take?
From day one, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) typically issues the licence within 5 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Abu Dhabi mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a Abu Dhabi mainland LLC. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation, and GoldenKey checks your activity before you commit.
What is the difference between Abu Dhabi mainland and a free zone?
Importantly, mainland companies can trade directly with any UAE customer and take government contracts; free zone companies have lower costs and customs benefits but trade with the mainland through distributors. GoldenKey compares both for your specific activity.
Can a Greek citizen own 100% of a company in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Greeks can own the full share capital of a Abu Dhabi company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Is oil & gas services allowed in Abu Dhabi?
It can. Greeks can own 100% of an oil and gas services company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Abu Dhabi for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
