ADDED — Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development
The government authority empowered to issue commercial, industrial and professional licences for all economic activities in Abu Dhabi outside free zones. The official gateway to starting a business in Abu Dhabi.
🔗 Official ADDED WebsiteADDED's Role in Business Setup & Licensing
ADDED is the mandatory starting point for any business activity in Abu Dhabi. Before operating any facility — whether a warehouse, factory, office or restaurant — the appropriate trade licence from ADDED is required.
ADDED coordinates with dozens of other government entities to complete licensing, most notably: ADCDA for the civil defence certificate, Abu Dhabi Municipality for the building completion certificate, DOH for the health sector, and MOIAT for the industrial sector.
Since 2020, most licensing procedures can be completed via the TAMM digital platform, which consolidates ADDED services and hundreds of other government entities in a single window.
Licence Types Issued by ADDED
Commercial
Buying, selling, distribution, retail and wholesale trade
Shops, supermarkets, distribution warehouses, agencies
Industrial
Manufacturing, production, assembly and industrial transformation
Factories, manufacturing workshops, production facilities
Professional
Consultancy, professional and trade services
Consulting offices, engineering firms, law offices
Tourism
Tourism, hospitality and entertainment sector
Hotels, hotel apartments, travel agencies, tourist restaurants
Steps to Obtain an ADDED Trade Licence
Choose the Activity Type & Economic Code
Select your commercial activity from the approved ISIC codes list — the code determines licence requirements and relevant authorities.
Obtain Initial Approval
Submit an initial approval request via the TAMM platform or directly to ADDED. Valid for 6 months.
Secure a Location & Sign a Lease
Secure a licensed location suitable for the activity — some activities require specific industrial or commercial zones.
Complete Approvals from Other Authorities
ADCDA certificate, Abu Dhabi Municipality certificate, and any sector-specific approvals (DOH for health, MOIAT for industry...).
Submit Final Application & Receive Licence
Upload all required documents to ADDED, pay the fees, and receive the trade licence.
Frequently Asked Questions about ADDED
What is ADDED?
What types of licences does ADDED issue?
Do you need an ADCDA certificate to get an ADDED licence?
What is the difference between ADDED and Dubai's DED?
How much does an ADDED trade licence cost?
Know What You Need Before Applying to ADDED
A complete compliance map covering ADDED and all other authorities — before you start
Calculate requirements →