Masdar City is Abu Dhabi’s flagship sustainable urban development and free zone, established in 2006 by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company. Located 17 km from central Abu Dhabi and 5 minutes from Zayed International Airport, it covers 6 km² and is powered entirely by solar and renewable energy. Masdar City blends traditional Arabic architecture with state-of-the-art technology to create one of the world’s most energy-efficient urban environments, featuring one of the largest clusters of LEED Platinum buildings globally.
As a free zone and science and technology park, Masdar City hosts over 1,000 companies ranging from startups to multinationals, including Siemens Energy, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), G42 Healthcare, and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). It is also home to The Catalyst, the region’s only clean-tech focused venture investor, a joint venture between Masdar City and BP.
Masdar City stands apart from every other UAE free zone through its sustainability-first design, world-class innovation ecosystem, and strategic location. It is purpose-built for companies seeking more than just a business address. Main benefits include:
The most common structure in Masdar City, supporting single or multiple shareholders, individuals or corporate entities, with 100% foreign ownership and limited liability. A minimum capital deposit of AED 50,000 is required for LLC registration.
Extends an existing overseas company into Masdar City under the parent company’s legal identity and trade name. The branch must conduct activities similar to those of the parent, and the parent entity bears full legal responsibility. No separate share capital is required.
Designed for individual professionals operating as sole proprietors without forming a full company. It is suited to consultants, creatives, and technology specialists. A flexi-desk lease within Masdar City is required.
Import, export, storage, and distribution of goods within approved product categories.
Consultancy, IT services, professional services, business support, and logistics coordination.
Manufacturing, assembling, packaging, and clean-tech production within approved facilities inside Masdar City. Heavy industry and hazardous materials are not permitted.
R&D, renewable energy, AI, smart mobility, agritech, biotech, and sustainability-focused operations.
Individual professional services under a personal name without forming a full company.
Note: Activities involving hazardous materials or heavy industry are not permitted. Some activities require pre-approval from sector regulators such as the Department of Health or the Department of Energy.
Masdar City Free Zone operates under the Masdar City Free Zone Authority, which oversees company registration, licensing, renewals, compliance, and lease agreements. The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) plays an overarching regulatory role, and sector-specific activities may require additional approvals from relevant UAE federal or emirate-level regulators. Visa and immigration processing is handled by the UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.
Ready to setup your company in Masdar City Free Zone? Contact CorpLex today for a free consultation.
Setting up in Masdar City requires matching your activity to the right license category, choosing the correct legal structure, and coordinating with the Free Zone Authority and sector regulators. CorpLex offers end-to-end Masdar City free zone company formation support so your setup is done right from the start.
We support your Masdar City business setup by:
Masdar City is Abu Dhabi’s flagship sustainable urban development and free zone, established in 2006. It is powered entirely by renewable energy and hosts over 1,000 companies, including Siemens Energy, IRENA, and G42 Healthcare. It is located 5 minutes from Zayed International Airport and 17 km from central Abu Dhabi.
Masdar City is the UAE’s most sustainable free zone, featuring LEED Platinum buildings, smart energy infrastructure, and a world-class clean-tech ecosystem. It offers dual licensing, 100% foreign ownership, 0% tax on qualifying income, and license issuance in as little as 3 to 5 working days.
Masdar City supports over 800 activities across 19 categories, including renewable energy, AI, IT services, consultancy, healthcare, trading, e-commerce, media, education, and oil and gas support. Up to 15 activities can be combined under a single license.
Setup costs start from AED 13,500 for a zero-visa package. Business packages with visas and office space start from AED 20,000+. License renewal costs approximately 60% of initial setup fees annually.
Most licenses are issued within 3 to 5 working days via the Masdar City digital portal. Full incorporation, including workspace and visa processing, typically takes 2 to 3 weeks.
FZ-LLC registration requires a minimum capital deposit of AED 50,000. Branch offices and Freelancer Permits have no mandatory minimum capital requirement.
Not directly. However, Masdar City offers a dual licensing option allowing free zone companies to operate in the Abu Dhabi mainland for selected activities, subject to ADDED approvals.
Passport copies, business plan, completed application form, and constitutional documents, where applicable. Documents for branch offices must be attested by the UAE Embassy. All submissions are made through the Masdar City e-services portal.
Yes. All commercial licenses require a leased facility within Masdar City. Options include flexi-desks from AED 6,000 per year, serviced offices, labs, retail units, and build-to-suit spaces.
Yes. Masdar City’s fully digital e-services portal supports 100% remote KYC verification and application submission. CorpLex manages the entire process on your behalf.
