Is Al Reem Island Part of ADGM? (Yes — Here's What That Means)

People ask us this in slightly worried tones, as if Al Reem might be ADGM-adjacent rather than the real thing. Let us settle it clearly: yes, Al Reem Island is fully part of Abu Dhabi Global Market. It has been since 24 April 2023. A company registered there is an ADGM company in every legal sense — not an associate, not an affiliate, not a special economic appendix. Because the change is recent, plenty of advice online still treats Al Reem as somewhere outside the jurisdiction. This article explains what actually happened, what it means in law, and which misconceptions to ignore.

What changed in 2023

On 24 April 2023, UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 41 of 2023 extended ADGM's jurisdiction to include Al Reem Island. Before that date, ADGM was contained to Al Maryah Island. The resolution roughly tripled the financial centre's physical footprint and brought Al Reem under the same legal and regulatory umbrella that Al Maryah had operated under since 2015. This was not a marketing rebrand. It was a formal extension of the geographic boundary of the jurisdiction, enacted at federal level.

The scale of the expansion

The numbers give a sense of how significant the move was:

• Around 500,000 square metres of additional office space came into the jurisdiction.
• Over 14.38 million square metres is the combined size of the two islands as one ADGM district.
• More than 1,100 entities that were already operating on Al Reem were integrated into ADGM.

That last point matters. Al Reem was not an empty plot waiting to be developed — it was already home to over a thousand businesses, and the resolution folded them into ADGM's framework rather than starting from scratch.

The transitional period

Because so many existing companies needed to align with ADGM's rules, the authorities set a transitional period that ran until 31 December 2024. During that window, businesses already on Al Reem moved their registrations, licences and compliance onto the ADGM framework in an orderly way. That period has now closed. As of today, Al Reem operates as settled, fully integrated ADGM territory — the transition is history, not an ongoing process you need to worry about.

What "full ADGM entity" means legally

When we say a company on Al Reem is a full ADGM entity, here is the concrete substance behind that phrase:

• It is incorporated under ADGM Companies Regulations, the same statute used on Al Maryah.
• It sits under English common law, applied directly rather than translated through local civil law.
• If it conducts financial services, it is licensed and supervised by the FSRA.
• Its disputes are heard by the independent ADGM Courts.
• It is registered and renewed by the same Registration Authority that handles every ADGM company.

There is no separate Al Reem register, no separate Al Reem court, and no separate Al Reem rulebook. If you are weighing the practical case for choosing the island, our article on why to set up your ADGM company on Al Reem in 2026 goes deeper.

Common misconceptions worth clearing up

A few myths come up again and again, and they are all wrong:

• "Al Reem is a different free zone." No. It is part of ADGM, which is a financial free zone, but Al Reem is not a separate zone with its own laws.
• "Companies there get a lighter or cheaper licence." No. The licence and its fees are identical to Al Maryah; only office rent differs.
• "Banks treat an Al Reem address as second-rate." No. It reads as an ADGM address, full stop.
• "The integration is still in progress." No. The transitional period ended on 31 December 2024.

The only genuine, practical difference between the two islands is cost, which we compare openly in our piece on Al Reem versus Al Maryah. A dedicated desk with us on Al Reem is AED 1,200 a month against roughly AED 3,500 on Al Maryah — for the very same licence.

So what does this mean for your setup?

It means you can incorporate on Al Reem with total confidence that you are getting the real ADGM, then point your savings at growth. The mechanics of forming the company are the same wherever your registered office sits. If you are ready to understand the process end to end, our step-by-step ADGM company formation guide covers each stage.

Frequently asked questions

When exactly did Al Reem join ADGM?

On 24 April 2023, via UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 41 of 2023. That is the date the jurisdiction's boundary formally extended to include the island.

Do I need to do anything special because Al Reem is "new" to ADGM?

No. The transitional period for previously existing companies ended on 31 December 2024. A new company you form today on Al Reem follows the standard ADGM process with no extra steps tied to the expansion.

Is my Al Reem company governed by Abu Dhabi mainland law?

No. Like any ADGM entity, it is governed by English common law within ADGM, not by UAE onshore civil law. That is one of the core reasons businesses choose the jurisdiction.

Will the regulator or courts treat me differently for being on Al Reem?

No. The FSRA and ADGM Courts apply one framework across the entire jurisdiction. Your island has no bearing on how you are regulated or how a dispute would be heard.

Talk to MY Coworking

If you would like an ADGM address on Al Reem without the Al Maryah price tag, talk to us — we will explain exactly what your licence type needs and nothing it does not.

We're on Al Reem Island — 2312 Addax Tower, City of Lights, Abu Dhabi. Email contact@mycoworking.ae to book a tour or get a same-day quote.