Abu Dhabi reports rising business licences and new holiday home regulations

Abu Dhabi is experiencing significant economic and tourism sector growth, driven by an increase in business licensing and updated holiday home regulations. Official figures from the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority show that new economic licences rose 21% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026. Notable surges include a 193% increase in professional licences and a 261% rise in freelance licences. This expansion is visible across various regions, including a 58% increase in new licences in the Al Ain Region.

In the financial sector, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) reported that its total active licences surpassed 13,353 during the same period.

Simultaneously, the emirate has updated its regulations for the holiday home sector to support its Tourism Strategy 2030. The new framework broadens the eligibility for individuals and entities to operate holiday homes while mandating stricter transparency for digital listings. This follows a period of rapid expansion in the sector, where the supply of eligible units and guest volumes both grew by 77% in 2023.