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The 100% Online Developer Journey

From your first commercial license to handing over the keys, manage your entire developer journey in Abu Dhabi online. 

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11

Journey Steps

5

Steps

100%

Digital Process

Step 01

Set Up Your Development Project

Set up your project and secure the necessary credentials to operate in Abu Dhabi's real estate sector.
01
Issued by Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED)

Obtain Your Commercial License

Your valid commercial license issued by Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) serves as official proof that your business is authorized to operate as a real estate developer in Abu Dhabi.

  • Select your development activity type (master developer, sub-developer, or both).
  • Submit your company and shareholder documents to ADDED.
  • You will receive your commercial license, enabling you to proceed with your ADREC registrations.
timeline Timeline

As per DED

fee

Fee

diram

120  

02
Issued by ADREC

Developer Registration

Register officially with ADREC to obtain your Developer ID, which will be linked to all your registered projects. This ID gives you access to ADREC’s developer services and enables you to operate within Abu Dhabi’s real estate ecosystem.

  • Submit your company registration, ADDED license, and shareholders’ documents through the ADREC portal.
  • Your application will then be reviewed for financial and compliance requirements by ADREC.
  • You will receive your Developer ID, your unique identifier across all ADREC services.
timeline Timeline

As per DED

fee

Fee

diram

120  

select devloper
  • Selected developers may be eligible to participate in an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, enabling early access to prime land opportunities based on their contribution to Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector.
  • Master developers and sub-developers follow the same registration process, with applicable fee structures.
03
Issued by ADREC

Register Your Legal Development Rights

Register your land acquisition with ADREC, whether through outright purchase or a development agreement with a landowner. This step formally links your developer profile to a specific piece of land.

  • Option A: Purchase land — register the sale and purchase agreement (SPA), with a registration fee of 2% of the sale value.
  • Option B: Development agreement — register the agreement with the landowner, with a registration fee of 3.6% of the agreement value.
  • You will receive official land title or development rights documentation.
timeline Timeline

As per DED

fee

Fee

Step 02

Design & Approvals

Transform your land into an approved development concept, progressing from the master plan to detailed design.
04
Issued by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT)

Planning Approvals

Obtain all master planning approvals for your development before registering a project. This involves both a Concept Master Plan (CMP) and a Detailed Master Plan (DMP), along with NOCs from relevant authorities and finalization of the schematic design.

Concept Master Plan (CMP)
  • Submit high-level land use and development concept.
  • Define plot uses, density, and infrastructure vision.
Detailed Master Plan (DMP)
  • Finalize schematic design and building parameters.
  • Obtain NOCs from all relevant government authorities.
timeline Timeline

As per DED

fee

Fee

diram

120  

Step 03

Project Activation

Register your project, open your escrow account, and start your sales activities, marking the most exciting phase of your development journey.
05
Issued by ADREC

Register Your Project

Official project registration with ADREC makes your development visible, credible, and market-ready. It signals to buyers that your project meets Abu Dhabi's standards and that their investment is protected.

  • Submit your full project details, including unit types, floor plans, projected handover dates, and pricing. .
  • Sign escrow agreement with an ADREC-approved bank trustee.
  • You will receive your Project ID, which is published on ADREC’s verified project register.
timeline Timeline

10 days

fee

Fee

diram

135,000

select devloper Sub-developers are required to provide a bank guarantee (BG) equivalent to 20% of the total construction cost prior to project registration completion.
06
Issued by ADREC

Madhmoun License & Escrow Opening

The Madhmoun license authorizes you to market and sell your project off-plan. Once issued, you can advertise your project, participate in exhibitions, and work with licensed brokers. All buyer funds are deposited directly into your ADREC-approved escrow account.

  • Receive your Madhmoun license, allowing you to advertise and sell your project off-plan.
  • Activate broker listings on the ADREC platform to connect with licensed agents.
  • Obtain an exhibition license to participate in launch events and real estate exhibitions. .
  • Launch your project to the market and begin your sales journey.
timeline Timeline

3 days

fee

Fee

diram

120  

select devloper Select developers may be eligible for an EOI (Expression of Interest) process — granting early access to prime land based on the value they bring to Abu Dhabi's real estate market.
07
Issued by ADREC Per Absorption Rate

Conduct Post Sales Activities

Every off-plan sale is registered with ADREC through a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA), protecting both buyers and developers throughout the transaction. All buyer payments are then securely held in a regulated escrow account.

  • Execute SPA with each buyer and submit for registration within the required timeframe.
  • Ensure all buyer deposit payments are received directly into the escrow account.
  • Each registered SPA is visible to the buyer on the ADREC portal, building trust and transparency.
timeline Timeline

Ongoing

fee

Fee

diram

2% of unit sale price

Phase 04

Build & Manage

Execute your construction plan with full regulatory oversight, milestone reporting, and managed escrow releases.
08
Issued by ADREC + Building Permits — DMT

Construction Activities

Once construction begins, your project enters a period of continuous oversight. ADREC-approved engineering companies audit your progress at defined milestones, and escrow funds are released to you only upon verified completion of each stage.

Your responsibilities

  • Obtain all construction permits from DMT/Building Permits.
  • Submit certified progress reports at each milestone.
  • Request escrow drawdowns as milestones are verified.

ADREC oversight

  • ADREC-approved engineering firms conduct physical site audits.
  • Escrow bank releases funds only on ADREC clearance.
  • Project status visible to buyers on ADREC's public register
timeline Timeline

Per construction schedule

fee

Fee

No Fee

Step 05

Handover

Deliver your project, hand over units, and fulfil your post-handover obligations.
09
Issued by ADREC

Project Handover

Upon receiving your Certificate of Completion, you can begin the official handover of units to buyers. This step includes title deed issuance, snagging, appointing a community manager, and getting service charge budgets approved.

  • Receive Certificate of Completion from Building Permits (DMT).
  • Complete the snagging process with buyers and issue title deeds for each unit.
  • Appoint an ADREC-approved community manager for the development.
  • Submit the service charge budget.
timeline Timeline

Per handover plan

fee

Fee

No Fee

10
Issued by ADREC

Defects Liability Period

The Defects Liability Period is the final safeguard after project completion, ensuring all reported defects are resolved. Retained funds are released once all issues are addressed and confirmed by ADREC.

  • 5% of total construction cost is withheld in a retention account from the date of the Taking Over Certificate.
  • Address and resolve all defects reported by buyers during the liability period.
  • Retention funds are released upon ADREC confirmation that all issues have been resolved.
timeline Duration

12 months from TOC

fee

Fee

No Fee

11
DMT — Building Permits

Community Registration & Completion

Register your community for service charges and complete your development obligations. With all units handed over, retention released, and the community registered, your journey is complete.

  • Certificate of Completion officially issued by Building Permits (DMT).
  • Register your community with ADREC for ongoing service charge collection and management.
  • Congratulations — your development is complete and fully handed over.
ratings Journey Complete
fee

ADREC Fee

No Fee

Ready to start your development journey?

Register on the ADREC portal as a developer and start your first project today.