Business Setup

How to Open a Medical Clinic in Abu Dhabi: Setup Guide

Published 27 Jul 2026 · 1 min read

Opening a medical clinic in Abu Dhabi involves health authority approval on top of the standard ADDED trade licence, since medical practice is a regulated activity requiring facility inspection and practitioner licensing.

Licensing and health authority approval

A medical clinic needs a healthcare activity licence through ADDED, alongside approval from the relevant Abu Dhabi health authority covering facility standards and practitioner licensing. Every practising doctor, dentist or specialist must hold their own individual professional licence, separate from the clinic's business licence.

Facility and staffing requirements

Health authority approval typically covers equipment, hygiene standards, and space requirements specific to the medical specialty offered — a materially more involved process than a standard trading licence's premises approval.

Costs and timeline

Costs vary enormously by clinic specialty, equipment needs and facility size. Engage the relevant Abu Dhabi health authority directly for facility-specific requirements, and model your base licensing cost with this site's Business Setup Cost Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a single doctor open a clinic in Abu Dhabi?

Yes, though the doctor still needs their own individual professional medical licence in addition to the clinic's business and health authority approvals.

How long does health authority approval typically take in Abu Dhabi?

Health authority approval, including facility inspection, generally takes longer than a standard trade licence given the additional compliance and safety checks involved.

Can a clinic operate from a free zone in Abu Dhabi?

Medical practice is generally licensed as a mainland activity given the health authority approval and patient-facing nature of the business.

Does a physiotherapy clinic face the same requirements as a general clinic in Abu Dhabi?

Allied-health services are generally regulated, though specific facility and staffing requirements can differ from a general medical clinic.

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