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Already run a cleaning company, in the UAE or abroad, and want to take on work in Abu Dhabi? The usual route is a branch licence on the Abu Dhabi mainland, issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). This guide explains what it costs, which documents you need and how long it takes, based on a real 2026 quote from a licensed UAE setup company.
Quick answer
- Total to set up: about AED 8,570 including VAT (government fees plus a typical setup company’s service fee).
- Every year after: the licence fee of AED 3,625, plus your office rent.
- Time: around 2 to 3 weeks, plus any extra approvals your activity needs.
- You also need: an office in Abu Dhabi of at least 10 sq m, with a tenancy contract.
Source: setup-company quotation, October 2026. Government fees can change; confirm current fees on TAMM or with ADDED before paying.
Is a branch right for you?
A branch is not a new company. It is an extension of a company you already own (the “parent company”), so the parent stays legally responsible for it. This route suits you if:
- You already have a cleaning company and want to win contracts in Abu Dhabi.
- You want to trade under your existing company name.
- You don’t need new shareholders or a separate legal entity.
Starting from scratch with no existing company? Compare a new Abu Dhabi mainland company or a free zone company in Abu Dhabi instead.
Cleaning activities covered
The quote covered two cleaning activities from the Abu Dhabi activity list:
| Activity | Activity code |
|---|---|
| Buildings Cleaning Services | 8121001 |
| Tanks and Reservoirs Cleaning | 8129004 |
The authority decides which activities you can add, and some need extra approvals depending on the work involved. Search cleaning activities to see the exact names each authority uses.
Steps to open the branch
- Security approval. Every shareholder of the parent company goes through a background check. Usually 1 to 3 working days.
- Trade name and initial approval from ADDED. You reserve the branch name and get approval for the licence and activities.
- Civil Defence approval. Required for this type of licence and paid for up front.
- UBO registration. You declare the Ultimate Beneficial Owners: the real people who own or control the parent company.
- Trade licence issued. ADDED issues the branch licence, usually in 10 to 15 working days, plus any external approvals.
Documents you need
- Parent company documents: commercial licence, Memorandum of Association (MOA), commercial registration and the list of partners. Documents from outside the UAE usually need to be legalised and attested first, so allow extra time for this.
- Passport copies of all shareholders: clear colour scans with all four corners of the passport visible.
- Tenancy contract: for an office inside the emirate of Abu Dhabi, at least 10 sq m.
Cost breakdown
| Fee | Amount | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name | AED 220 | Once |
| Civil Defence approval | AED 500 | Once |
| UBO registration | AED 1,000 | Once |
| Licence fee | AED 3,625 | Every year |
| Setup company service fee | AED 3,000 | Once |
| Total quoted (including VAT) | AED 8,570 |
The fees listed add up to AED 8,345, or AED 8,495 with 5% VAT on the service fee. The quote’s total of AED 8,570 includes about AED 75 of smaller charges, so ask your setup company for a fully itemised breakdown.
Not included: office rent, document attestation, staff visas, Emirates IDs, medical tests and any extra approvals your activity needs.
Good to know before you pay
- Government fees are paid in advance. Ask for the official receipt for each one.
- The service fee is usually non-refundable, and 5% VAT is added to it.
- Unused government fees are normally refunded if the application doesn’t go ahead. Get this in writing.
- Authorities can ask for more. ADDED or other departments may request extra documents, approvals or fees during the process, and the owners pay these.
- Quotes expire. Fees change, so check how long your quote is valid.
- Government delays are not usually the setup company’s responsibility, so build some buffer into your plans.
After you get your licence
- Renew the licence every year: the AED 3,625 licence fee plus any renewal charges.
- Renew the tenancy contract, because the licence depends on a valid office.
- Staff visas and Emirates IDs each have their own expiry dates.
- Business bank account: most banks want to see the new branch licence. Compare business bank accounts.
- Corporate tax: check with your accountant whether the branch is covered by the parent company’s registration or needs its own.
Not sure a branch is right for you? Compare every mainland and free zone option for cleaning services, with official fees side by side.
startwith.ae is independent and not a government body. Fees and rules can change; always confirm with the official authority before you pay.