Private foundation: ADGM: sourced answers
9 answers to specific questions — each with a verbatim quote from an official source and a link to it.
Every answer is checked against a verbatim quote from a stored copy of its source and has passed an independent review. This is reference information, not legal advice: rules change, and the outcome depends on your circumstances.
Foundation and personal foundation: supplement to the legal-form questionnaire
May the founder sit on the foundation council
founder may sit on the council (ADGM, DIFC)
«ation must have a Council to administer its property and to carry out its objects. (2) The Council shall comprise at least two (2) members. (3) A Founder or a body corporate may be appointed as a member of the Council. (4) A member of the Council: (a) must be so named in the Register; (b) must ensure that the Council keeps accurate Accounting Records for the Foundation; and (c) must comply with the provisions of this Law, the Charter and By-laws. (5) A person must not be appointed as a member of a Coun»
Source: assets.difc.com · source copy as of 2026-10-03
«Foundation Council 19. Foundation Council (1) A Foundation is required to have a Council which consists of at least two Councillors. (2) The Founder or a Legal Person may be appointed as Councillor. (3) The duties of a Council are – (a) to carry out the objects of the Foundation; (b) to manage and administer the Assets of the Foundation; and (c) to do any other acts which may be required by the Charter, By-laws or under these Regulations. (4) The duties of the Co»
Source: assets.adgm.com · source copy as of 2026-10-03
Legal form in a country
On which EU and FATF lists is the structure's jurisdiction
UAE off the FATF grey list since February 2024 and the EU AML list since 2025
«uela to the list of high-risk third countries which have provided a written high-level political commitment to address the identified deficiencies and have developed an action plan with the FATF, and to remove Barbados, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, Senegal, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates from that list Documents AMLD IV - Implementing and delegated acts: full list 9 January 2026 English Download (87.75 KB - PDF) AMLD IV - Commission delegated acts 9 January 2026 English Download (82.43 KB - PDF) AMLD IV - Regulatory technical standards 19 June 2020 English Download (59.42 KB - PDF) Related links»
Source: finance.ec.europa.eu · source copy as of 2026-10-03
«engagement decision announced on 23rd February 2024, the with the public and private sector also embeds a Financial Action Task Force (“FATF”) removed whole-of-government approach to all aspects of Type of Licence Total as of 2024 Total as of 2023»
Source: centralbank.ae · source copy as of 2026-10-03
What is the minimum capital (minimum endowment) on formation of the structure
USD 100
«OUNDATION ASSETS Assets 13. Minimum Initial Asset Value In order to be registered by the Registrar the Charter must require the Foundation to have Initial Assets with a value of 100 US dollars or its equivalent in any other currency. 14. Undertakings to Endow a Foundation Where a Charter or other legal documents record an undertaking by a Founder or any other Person to endow Assets to a Foundation, the Foundatio»
Source: assets.adgm.com · source copy as of 2026-10-03
What is the minimum number of members of the governing body (directors, council)
Council of 2 or more
2 or more
«19 Foundation Council 19. Foundation Council (1) A Foundation is required to have a Council which consists of at least two Councillors. (2) The Founder or a Legal Person may be appointed as Councillor. (3) The duties of a Council are – (a) to carry out the objects of the Foundation; (b) to manage and administer the Assets of the Foundation; and (c) to do any other acts which may be required by the Charter, By-laws or under these Regulations. (4) The duties of the Councillors are – (a) to act in accordance with the Foundation’s Charter; (b) to only exercise powers for the pur»
Source: assets.adgm.com · source copy as of 2026-10-03
Which statute (act) establishes the legal form
Foundations Regulations 2017
«may be cited as the Foundations Regulations 2017. 46. These Regulations shall come into force on the date of their publication. 47. In these Regulations – (1) “Accounting Records” is defined as follows: (a) Accounting Records means records that are sufficient– i. to show and explain the Foundation’s transactions, ii. to disclose with»
Source: assets.adgm.com · source copy as of 2026-10-03
Is the structure's beneficial ownership information filed with a central register (registrar, regulator)
UBO file with the Registration Authority
«must be kept up to date during the life cycle of the legal entity. In particular, applicable ADGM entities must keep a record of the required particulars of their beneficial owners in a ‘record of beneficial owners’ and notify the Registrar of any changes in beneficial ownership. Applicability Identification of Beneficial Owners and Controllers FAQs Resources Applicability ADGM’s Beneficial Ownership and Control Regulations 2022 (the ‘BOCR 2022’) apply to all legal entities operating within ADGM, except for branches of foreign companies or foreign partnerships. BOCR 2018 was repealed on 26 April 2024. On 22 February 2024, an amendment to BOCR 2022 was enacted (the Beneficial Ownership and Control Regulations (Amendment No. 1) 2024 (the “Amendment”)). The purpose of the Amendment is to clarify the so called ‘cascade’ approach to identifying ben»
Source: adgm.com · source copy as of 2026-10-03
Who has access to the structure's beneficial ownership information
UBO file with the Registration Authority, non-public
«must be kept up to date during the life cycle of the legal entity. In particular, applicable ADGM entities must keep a record of the required particulars of their beneficial owners in a ‘record of beneficial owners’ and notify the Registrar of any changes in beneficial ownership. Applicability Identification of Beneficial Owners and Controllers FAQs Resources Applicability ADGM’s Beneficial Ownership and Control Regulations 2022 (the ‘BOCR 2022’) apply to all legal entities operating within ADGM, except for branches of foreign companies or foreign partnerships. BOCR 2018 was repealed on 26 April 2024. On 22 February 2024, an amendment to BOCR 2022 was enacted (the Beneficial Ownership and Control Regulations (Amendment No. 1) 2024 (the “Amendment”)). The purpose of the Amendment is to clarify the so called ‘cascade’ approach to identifying ben»
Source: adgm.com · source copy as of 2026-10-03
«mply with respective provisions of the regulations is subject to maximum of a Level 9 fine ($54,000,000). Accessibility The Record of Beneficial Owners is not published publicly for privacy reasons. Access to the Record of Beneficial Owners is limited to designated personnel of ADGM Registration Authority only. The Registrar may only disclose beneficial ownership information to third parties in accordance with the requirements of section 967 of the Companies Regulations or on the consent of the legal entity to whom the information relates. Frequently Asked Questions Find answers to common questions on beneficial ownership requirements in ADGM, including identifying ben»
Source: adgm.com · source copy as of 2026-10-03
Does the structure need an office or registered address in the country (zone)
registered office in ADGM
«to the Foundation. Registered Office 5. Registered office (1) A Foundation must at all times have a registered office in the Abu Dhabi Global Market to which all communications and notices may be addressed and which may be the same address as that of its Registered Agent. (2) A Foundation may change the address of its registered office by giving notice to the Registrar. The change takes effect upon the notice being registered by the Registrar, but until the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date on which it is registered a Person may validly serve any document on the Foundation at the address previously registered. 6.»
Source: assets.adgm.com · source copy as of 2026-10-03
Is a local registered agent (registered office with a licensed provider) mandatory
agent optional
«FOUNDATION OFFICIALS Registered Agent 18. Registered Agent of Foundations (1) A Foundation may have a Registered Agent. (2) Prior to the registration of a Foundation, the Founder or Founders may appoint a Registered Agent by including the name and address (in the Abu Dhabi Global Market) of such Person in the Charter forming part of the Foundation’s Registration Application. (3) The Councillors may effect an appointment or change of Registered Agent by - (a) passing a Resolution of Councillors; (b) giving the relevant contractual notice; and»
Source: assets.adgm.com · source copy as of 2026-10-03
«a CSP Since 12 July 2021, all new applications to incorporate a non-exempt SPV or foundation must be submitted by an ADGM licensed CSP. A list of all ADGM licensed Company Service Providers is available here . Note: existing non-exempt SPVs and foundations are required to notify the Registrar of the appointment or cessation of a CSP within fourteen (14) days of the appointment or cessation. Guidance and Forms Guidance and Resources for Foundations CSP Appointment Form - Foundations CSP Cessation Form - Foundations Guidance and Resources for SPVs CSP Appointment Form - SPV CSP Cessation Form - SPV Guidance on Exemptions Guidance on Exemptions from the requirement to appoint a CSP We’re here to help If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out. We offer various support options. Contact & Support About Overview Jurisdiction Authorities Initiatives ADGM Academy Dispute Resoluti»
Source: adgm.com · source copy as of 2026-10-03
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