WhatsApp quotePut simply, since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Abu Dhabi mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection company owners used to have. In short, abu Dhabi is the capital — government contracts, energy supply chains and the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence, and GoldenKey registers mainland companies there with the economic department week in, week out. Greek shipowners and hospitality groups are deeply connected to the UAE market, which gives Greek entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Abu Dhabi licence is released. In short, payments between Greece and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, euro (EUR) transfers settle quickly and UAE banks are familiar with Greek business profiles.
Why Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi mainland licences are released by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), which currently processes most standard files in around 5 working days. As we tell every client, in-Country Value (ICV) certification boosts success in government and ADNOC tenders. From day one, for Greeks, the practical advantages of Abu Dhabi are the ease of travel between Greece and the UAE, English is the business language, and a banking system that processes euro (EUR) transfers daily.
How Abu Dhabi works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
GoldenKey maps your business to the right Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) activity codes and recommends the legal form that fits ownership and liability needs.
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. Your portal shows the status of this step for Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Greeks in real time.
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).
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
With the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas. If the authority raises a query on Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Greeks at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Documents required
Just as important, for Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Greeks the issuing authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visa
- Passport photographs on a white background
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
Pricing
In our experience, pricing for Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Greeks depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. All prices for Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Greeks are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before a single dirham changes hands.
- 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
Importantly, the UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many company owners choose it as a base for Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Greeks. Importantly, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Greeks for international founders.
Why GoldenKey
Crucially, most of our Abu Dhabi clients come to us through referrals from other business owners, and for that reason we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. We speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Greeks. In our experience, every Abu Dhabi package we quote already includes the licence, registration, the establishment card where applicable and our full assistance, with no hidden add-ons at the end.
Tell us about your plans for Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Greeks and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
How much office space do I need for a Abu Dhabi mainland licence?
As we tell every client, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) requires a registered tenancy for most licences. A small office or a desk in a business centre is enough for a few visas, and the visa quota increases with the floor area.
How long does Abu Dhabi mainland company formation take?
With documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) in most cases issues the licence within 5 working days (Monday to Friday). External approvals for regulated activities add time.
What is the difference between Abu Dhabi mainland and a free zone?
Just as important, 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.
Do Greeks need a UAE visa before applying for Abu Dhabi?
No. You can apply for the licence from Greece with scanned paperwork, and the investor residence visa is completed afterwards.
Can a Greek citizen own 100% of a company in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, it can. Greeks can own the full share capital of a Abu Dhabi company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
