In December 2025 Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) issued the following set of rules:
1. Commercial Permits Regulations (Entertainment and Events) Rules 2025,
2. Permits Regulations (Temporary Commercial) Rules 2025,
3. Commercial Permits Regulations (Sales and Promotions) Rules 2025,
4. Commercial Permits Regulations (Fees) Rules 2025.
Commercial Permits Regulations (Entertainment and Events) Rules 2025
The above rules are applicable to Entertainment and Events Permits and Permit Holders, wherein Events means any temporary organised gathering in a public or private space which has been advertised to the public, involving the provision of any conference, seminar, training, exhibition, use of temporary structures or facilities, or commercial activities such as charging for entry or selling goods.
The Rules state that a person seeking to conduct an Event must be a licensed person, hold a valid commercial license, and be a Temporary Commercial Permit Holder. The application for the Entertainment and Events Permit shall be reviewed by the Registrar, taking into account matters of public health and safety, the location of the premises and the surrounding environment, and matters of cultural sensitivity.
Permits Regulations (Temporary Commercial) Rules 2025
Temporary Commercial Permit means a permit issued by the Registrar to a person permitting such person to temporarily conduct business for up to a maximum of 12 months in or from the premises. Where a Temporary Commercial Permit has been suspended or revoked by the Registrar, the Temporary Commercial Permit holder must immediately discontinue temporarily conducting business in the Premises, or the Temporary Commercial Permit holder will be liable to a fine not exceeding level 8 on the Fines Scale
Commercial Permits Regulations (Sales and Promotions) Rules 2025
A person who seeks to conduct a Sales and Promotions Activity at the Premises must obtain a Sales and Promotions Permit before conducting a Sales and Promotions Activity. Sales and Promotions Activities refer to the separate activities of Discounts and Promotions. It includes activities like clearance discounts, instant prizes, prize draws, product launches, promotional stands, temporary sales discounts etc.
Commercial Permits Regulations (Fees) Rules 2025
These rules lay down the fee structure for permits for commercial activities. For instance, issuance of sales and promotions permit cost around AED 1,000 per month and is valid for up to three months for some activities. Issuance of Events Permit costs around AED 500 per month, and Entertainment permit costs around AED 1500 per month. A temporary Commercial Permit for a three-month period costs around AED 3,000, and a twelve-month temporary commercial permit costs around AED 12,000. Issuance and renewal of an alcohol permit for food and beverages establishments costs around AED 25,000 for a twelve-month period, and for retailers selling alcohol, the permit will cost around AED 120,000.
Conclusion
Businesses aiming at conducting the above-mentioned activities in the ADGM must ensure their compliance with these rules along with the principle Commercial Permits Regulations 2024. All these rules carry fines up to Level 8 on the fine scale for violations done by permit holders.
“This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice”.
