Offices in Abu Dhabi 2026: Occupancy, Rents, Tawtheeq and ADGM

The office market

The office market
Measure	Figure	Source
Office stock	About 3.4 million sq m, up 0.3%	ADREC, H1 2026
Occupancy	95%, including prime and Grade A	ADREC, H1 2026
Rents on new leases	Up 13%	ADREC, H1 2026
Average rent	AED 2,182 per sq m a year, up 32% year on year	Cushman & Wakefield Core, H1 2026
Prime and Grade A occupancy	About 99%	Cushman & Wakefield Core, H1 2026
Prime rents in ADGM	More than AED 6,000 per sq m a year	Cushman & Wakefield Core, H1 2026
Average rents and occupancy	Rents up nearly 16%, occupancy about 96%	CBRE, Q2 2026

Source: ADREC: Abu Dhabi Real Estate Market Report for H1 2026; Cushman & Wakefield Core: Abu Dhabi H1 2026 mid-year market update; CBRE: UAE Real Estate Market Review Q2 2026^1,2,3

The research houses measure different samples and periods, so their figures differ. Use them as a range, and ask for a quote on the building you want.

ADGM sits outside the emirate's rental cap. Cushman & Wakefield notes that its high prime rents are pushing some occupiers to look at Al Reem Island, which is also part of the ADGM jurisdiction.^2,7

Rent increases: the 0% cap

On 3 June 2026 ADREC cut the maximum rent increase on renewal from 5% to 0% for residential, commercial and industrial leases. ADREC describes the measure as temporary and in force until further notice.⁴

Registering the lease in Tawtheeq

Leases in Abu Dhabi are registered in Tawtheeq. A company registering a lease provides its trade licence, or the initial approval from the Department of Economic Development if the licence is not yet issued.⁶

Registering the lease in Tawtheeq
Fee	Amount
Register a lease	AED 100
Renew a lease	AED 100
Open a Tawtheeq account	AED 200
Municipal fee paid by the tenant	5% of the annual rent, at least AED 450, billed over 12 months on the water and electricity bill
VAT on a commercial lease	5%

Source: ADREC: Tenancy rules and regulations; Federal Tax Authority: VAT FAQ on real estate^5,12

Offices in ADGM

Every ADGM entity must have a physical presence in the jurisdiction, on Al Maryah Island or Al Reem Island. Special purpose vehicles are the only exception.
You upload the lease or proof of lease registration with the incorporation application.
Tech Startup Licence holders need at least one dedicated desk or office on Al Maryah Island; a hot desk is not accepted. They can apply for 3 employee visas for each dedicated desk.
Certain ADGM tech start-ups can obtain an Abu Dhabi DED licence without a second office, under a dual-licence agreement.

Source: ADGM: Setting up in ADGM; ADGM: Setting up FAQs (Tech Startup Licence)^7,8

ADGM publishes a list of business centres and coworking operators on both islands that offer dedicated desks and private offices.⁹

Hub71 for start-ups

Hub71, based in ADGM, runs a 12-month Access programme. Selected start-ups receive about AED 250,000 of in-kind incentives, including office space, housing and health insurance, and at least one founder must relocate to Abu Dhabi.^10,11

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my landlord raise the office rent in Abu Dhabi?

Not at renewal for now. Since June 2026 ADREC has set the cap on rent increases at renewal at 0% for residential, commercial and industrial leases, until further notice.

Sources

Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.

Renting an Office in Abu Dhabi