Opening a salon or spa in Abu Dhabi requires a specific professional/personal-care activity licence through the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), alongside health and safety approvals that go beyond a standard trading licence, given the hands-on personal-care nature of the business.
Licensing and approvals
Salons and spas typically need ADDED's personal-care or beauty-services activity licence, and depending on the specific treatments offered (medical-adjacent treatments, certain spa therapies), additional approval from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi may apply. Staff practising treatments that are considered medical or semi-medical in nature may need their own professional licensing separate from the business licence itself.
Mainland vs free zone in Abu Dhabi
A salon or spa serving walk-in clients at a physical location generally needs a mainland licence, since the business is inherently retail/service-facing rather than something a free zone company can typically operate outside its own zone. This site's Free Zone vs Mainland Tool can help confirm this for your specific service model.
Costs and timeline
Costs depend heavily on premises size, fit-out standard, and the specific treatments licensed — a nail bar and a full-service spa with treatment rooms are very different budgets beyond the base trade licence itself. Model your licensing cost with this site's Business Setup Cost Calculator, and budget separately for fit-out and any additional health-authority approvals your specific treatments require.