Home > Global Holding Company > UAE
Launch Your UAE Holding Company
Strategic, Tax‑Efficient, and Globally Respected
Set up a United Arab Emirates (UAE) holding company through Orbit. We coordinate incorporation in your chosen free zone (ADGM, DIFC, JAFZA, RAKEZ, and others), manage compliance under the UAE corporate tax regime, and ensure full economic‑substance and reporting compliance — so you can hold shares, receive dividends, and operate tax‑efficiently with onshore credibility.
Quick facts
| Feature | Value | Why it matters | |
| Best for | Global and regional holding company, investment holding, family office, SPV | 0% tax and easy banking | |
| Setup speed | ~5–10 business days | Quick and predictable | |
| Minimum share capital | Varies by free zone (often USD 1 – 5,000) | Low entry cost | |
| Local director needed | No | 100% foreign ownership allowed | |
| Company secretary | No (some zones require an authorized signatory) | Low admin | |
| Registered office | Yes (often provided by the free zone) | Included in setup | |
| Corporate income tax | 0% for qualifying free zone persons (QFZPs); 9% otherwise | Extremely tax efficient | |
| Capital gains tax on shares | No | Efficient exits | |
| Withholding tax on dividends (outbound) | None | Tax-free repatriation | |
| Foreign-sourced income | Usually not taxed | Perfect for holding activities | |
| VAT | 5% if taxable activity | Simple and limited | |
| Audit | Varies by free zone | Needed in DIFC/ADGM, optional in some others | |
| Treaty network | ~140 treaties | Global tax efficiency | |
| Banking ease | Moderate to strong | Improved fintech support |
Key Considerations
- Free zone choice matters — ADGM and DIFC are ideal for institutional or fund‑linked structures; RAKEZ and JAFZA work well for corporate SPVs.
- Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status is key to maintaining a 0% tax rate — requires adequate substance, correct activity classification, and timely filings.
- Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) apply to holding entities; pure holding companies benefit from reduced requirements but must still file annually.
- Corporate tax filing is now mandatory (even if 0%) under the 2023 UAE CT regime.
- UBO registers, accounting records, and license renewals must be maintained with your free zone authority.
Cost snapshot (USD)
| Cost item | One-time setup | Annual ongoing | |
| Incorporation and license | 1,500 – 3,000 | 1,000 – 2,000 | |
| Economic substance support (optional) | – | 1,000 – 3,000 | |
| Registered office | – | 500 – 1,000 | |
| Accounting & bookkeeping | – | 800 – 1,500 | |
| Corporate income tax filing | – | 800 – 1,500 | |
| Audit (only if required) | – | 1,500 – 3,000 | |
| Estimated total | 1,500 – 3,000 | 4,000 – 8,000 / year |
Pricing depends on the selected free zone, license type, and scope of ongoing compliance.
Why UAE works for holding companies
The UAE combines offshore tax efficiency with onshore credibility. It offers:
Tax Regime for Holding Companies
- Corporate income tax: 0% for Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZPs) meeting activity and substance criteria; 9% for non‑qualifying income.
- Dividends: Exempt from corporate tax; no withholding tax.
- Capital gains: Exempt from corporate tax.
- Foreign-sourced income: Generally not taxed.
- Tax treaties: ~140 DTAs; enables withholding tax reduction for inbound dividends, interest, royalties.
- Pillar Two compliance (from 2025): Affects only large MNEs with >€750M revenue.
What you get with Orbit
Pre-incorporation planning
Free zone selection, shareholding mapping, tax treaty and substance strategy.
Company setup
Name reservation, filings, and incorporation with free zone partners (ADGM, DIFC, JAFZA, RAKEZ, and others).
Registered office & governance
License package setup, registered address, and statutory record maintenance.
Substance services
Local directors, virtual office, and UAE‑based board meetings to maintain QFZP status.
Accounting & filings
Bookkeeping, corporate tax registration, and return preparation.
Audit & compliance
Coordination with licensed auditors (mandatory zones) and ESR/UBO filings.
