WhatsApp quoteIn practice, choosing Abu Dhabi mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate customers recognise without a second thought. Day to day, 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. Day to day, for Swiss entrepreneurs, the UAE is around 6.5 hours from Bern, the UAE is 2 to 3 hours ahead of Switzerland, and English, German and French speakers all operate comfortably in the UAE. Swiss nationals are a discreet but significant presence in wealth management, commodities and precision industries, so the Abu Dhabi authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Swiss applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Why Abu Dhabi
Day to day, abu Dhabi holds around 90% of the UAE's oil reserves and most sovereign wealth. 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. For Swiss nationals, the practical advantages of Abu Dhabi are the ease of travel between Switzerland and the UAE, English, German and French speakers all operate comfortably in the UAE, and a banking system that processes Swiss franc (CHF) transfers daily.
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 Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Swiss nationals, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
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). For Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Swiss nationals, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Just as important, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas.
Documents required
Crucially, the document list for Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Swiss nationals is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- A bank statement from your Switzerland bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Passport photographs on a white background
- A police clearance certificate from Switzerland if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
Pricing
The figures below for Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Swiss nationals are updated by GoldenKey whenever the registrar changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. As we tell every client, use the table below to compare packages for Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Swiss nationals; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
- 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 2026-10-07.
Why the UAE
Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Swiss nationals a route to relocation as well as a business decision. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Swiss nationals can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
Crucially, we speak the languages our customers speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Swiss nationals. Most of our Abu Dhabi customers come to us through referrals from other founders, so we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. In our experience, our quotations for Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Swiss nationals list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before any payment anything.
If you would like a written quotation for Abu Dhabi mainland company formation for Swiss nationals, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
How much office space do I need for a Abu Dhabi mainland licence?
In short, 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.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Abu Dhabi mainland company?
On the ground, you cannot convert directly, but you can open a mainland branch of your free zone company or set up a new mainland LLC and transfer the business. GoldenKey advises on the most tax-efficient route.
Can a Abu Dhabi mainland company trade in other emirates?
It can. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
Can a Swiss citizen own 100% of a company in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Swiss nationals can own the full share capital of a Abu Dhabi company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Is there a double taxation agreement between Switzerland and the UAE?
It can. The UAE and Switzerland have a double taxation agreement, and a UAE tax residency certificate lets you claim treaty relief on qualifying income. GoldenKey can obtain the certificate once your company is established.
