Why set up a family office in the UAE
When assets are spread across companies in several countries, property, bank accounts and business stakes, they are hard to manage without a single structure — and harder still to pass on. A UAE family office addresses several needs:
- central ownership and management of family assets;
- decision-making rules and the roles of family members;
- succession: what happens if the founder becomes incapacitated or dies;
- separating family wealth from operating businesses.
DIFC or ADGM: the two financial centres
Both the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) operate their own common-law-based legal systems with their own courts and registries, which makes them well suited to family structures.
- DIFC. The single family office regime is set by the Family Arrangements Regulations 2023. The minimum is USD 50 million in aggregate family net assets (operating businesses and real estate count). A single family office serving one family does not need a DFSA licence.
- ADGM. Has a separate single family office registration with the Registration Authority and its own net-asset threshold, lower than DIFC's; we confirm the current figure under ADGM rules at the time of application.
Families with less capital can use simpler tools: a free zone holding company, a foundation, a family charter.
Structuring tools
- Holding company — holds operating businesses and property;
- foundation in DIFC or ADGM — a separate entity with no shareholders, suited to succession and to managing assets under its charter;
- family charter and shareholder agreements — rules for family participation;
- wills, including through the DIFC Wills Service — see wills and inheritance.
How we work
- Asset map. We list assets, jurisdictions, family members and goals.
- Structure options. We propose one to three options with pros, cons, indicative costs and timing.
- Registration. We register companies and foundations and draft constitutional documents and the charter.
- Banking and compliance. We support account opening and KYC — see bank compliance.
- Ongoing support. Annual renewals, changes and filings on a retainer.
Tax and risk
A UAE structure does not remove obligations in your country of tax residence. For Russian citizens, controlled foreign company rules and account-reporting duties matter; in the UAE, Corporate Tax and beneficial ownership (UBO) disclosure apply. We explain how these regimes generally apply to the chosen structure and recommend aligning the tax side with an adviser in your home country. More on UAE tax and compliance.
Who a UAE family office suits
Families usually consider a UAE family office when they have already moved to the Emirates or plan to, own businesses in several countries and are thinking about passing wealth to the next generation. For entrepreneurs from Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, a DIFC or ADGM structure is also familiar to international banks and counterparties, with disputes decided under predictable common-law rules. Structure should not run ahead of need, though: sometimes a will and a single holding company are enough.
Fees
Designing and setting up the structure is a fixed-price project from AED 5,000 (the total depends on the number of entities and jurisdictions); ongoing support is a retainer from AED 3,500 a month. DIFC/ADGM and free zone registration fees are paid separately.
FAQ
For a DIFC single family office, aggregate family net assets of at least USD 50 million.
ADGM has a lower threshold, or a holding company and foundation can be used without family office status.
A foundation has no shareholders: a council manages the assets under its charter for the beneficiaries, which helps with succession.
Yes, most work is done under a power of attorney, though banks sometimes ask for an in-person meeting.