As with property purchases anywhere in the world, you should consult a lawyer for the transaction. We recommend local lawyers who speak German and English and will take care of all your needs. We will guide you through the entire purchase process so that there are no problems with communication. 

The lawyer's fee is calculated according to the purchase price of the property. 
 

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If you are planning to relocate your company headquarters to Dubai or set up a new company, Dubai offers you a number of advantages as a business location. In addition to low taxes and numerous subsidies for start-ups, the city also offers you warm temperatures all year round, an excellent infrastructure, comfortable living with a wide range of leisure activities and a high standard of living. 

Prices for setting up a company currently start at EUR 4,500 without a visa or EUR 6,900 including a visa authorisation and all costs for the first year.

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The main advantages of setting up a company in Dubai are:

‍100% ownership: Foreign investors can have full control over their companies in Dubai without the need for local partners or shareholders.

‍100% repatriation of capital and profits: Companies in Dubai can transfer all their capital and profits abroad without restrictions.

‍Very low tax rates: Dubai offers attractive tax conditions, including low corporate tax rates, which is only levied on a certain amount of annual income, and NO personal income tax.

‍No minimum capital requirement: Companies do not need to have a certain minimum capital to be incorporated in Dubai.

‍Flexible incorporation options: Both free zone companies and branches of foreign companies can be registered in Dubai.

‍Fast and efficient incorporation processes: Dubai is known for its speedy company formation process, which enables investors to set up and operate their businesses quickly.

‍No physical presence required: Entrepreneurs do not need to be personally present in Dubai during the incorporation process, saving time and resources.

UK/EU citizens do not require a visa to enter the UAE for tourism, business (without taking up employment) or visiting purposes for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.

If you are planning a longer stay in Dubai or wish to work there, you will require a so-called "Residence Visa". 

 

How do I get a residence visa?

 

- by setting up a company in Dubai

- as a property owner

  (there are gradations in the value of a property; the minimum value for a 2-year visa, for example, should be €185,000. With a property value of €500,000, you receive a visa for 5 years, whereby the property does not have to be completed. Since the new law of 08/2022, an application for a property from the plan is also valid).

- as a company employee

  (if you are employed by a local company. In this case, the employer will take care of your visa). 

- as a pensioner

  (for people aged 55 and over, there is the possibility of a so-called "retirement visa". One of the following requirements must be met - you will receive a visa for 5 years:

   - Property investment of at least €500,000

   - Financial savings/reserves of at least €250000

   - A monthly net income of at least 5000€

- as a relative/family member

  (if you are a close/closest relative such as wife, child of a visa holder, then a family visa can be obtained. Depending on the type of visa, there may be further requirements to be met, e.g. fixed income). 

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While it is still possible to do business in Dubai almost tax-free and private individuals still pay no tax on their earnings, politicians are currently implementing reforms that have already succeeded in removing Dubai from the European blacklist of tax havens.

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However, Dubai continues to levy very few taxes at a very low rate. Inheritances, for example, remain completely tax-free and property sales are still only subject to a 4% tax.

 

It is important to note that there is no income tax in Dubai. Instead, there is a corporate tax that only applies to companies. This tax is applied to the company's taxable income and amounts to 9%.

According to the Dubai government, there are currently no plans to change the income tax. This means that private income can continue to be legally collected tax-free in Dubai. Incidentally, this also applies to all other United Arab Emirates. Dubai can therefore also be an attractive location for employees, where even high salaries are not taxable.

 

Since 2018, Dubai has levied VAT at a rate of 5 %. As in Germany, this tax is purely a pass-through item for companies doing business in Dubai and is always passed on to customers.

It is therefore effectively a pure consumption tax, which is very low at 5%. Companies with an annual turnover of less than approx. 93,000 euros are also not obliged to register for VAT, which is intended to favour start-ups and smaller companies.

 

Since 1 June 2023, the government has levied a corporation tax of 9% on the profits of companies. The tax-free amount of around 93,000 euros in annual profits will also apply here, meaning that small companies and start-ups will remain exempt. Companies can deduct losses from previous years from their current income. 

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Despite the introduction of the new tax, Dubai remains one of the most attractive places in the world for investment and business due to its low tax rate and good infrastructure. 
 

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