The UAE has four distinct financial services regulators. The DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) regulates financial services within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) — a common law jurisdiction with its own courts. The FSRA (Financial Services Regulatory Authority) regulates financial services within Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), similarly a common law free zone. The CBUAE (Central Bank of the UAE) regulates payment services, stored value facilities and certain financial activities across UAE mainland. The CMA (Securities and Commodities Authority) regulates UAE capital markets outside DIFC and ADGM. Each has its own licensing requirements, minimum capital, and timelines.

Both DIFC (DFSA) and ADGM (FSRA) are strong choices for fund managers. DIFC has a longer-established track record, particularly for hedge funds, real estate funds and fixed income structures. ADGM has become increasingly preferred for private equity, venture capital and family office structures. Key differentiators include the specific fund type, target investor base (retail vs. professional), minimum capital requirements and operational cost. Neo Legal analyses the business model before recommending a regulatory pathway — selecting the wrong regulator can add months and significant cost to a go-live timeline.

Free zone companies in the UAE offer 100% foreign ownership and simplified incorporation processes but cannot directly sell goods or services to UAE mainland customers without using a local distributor or agent. Mainland companies (licensed through the relevant Department of Economic Development) can sell directly to UAE mainland customers but may require a local service agent for certain business types. For businesses whose primary customers are UAE-based, the mainland structure may be necessary despite the additional requirements; for businesses serving international markets from the UAE, a free zone is typically the better starting point.

Without a registered UAE Will, UAE inheritance law — which includes Sharia principles for certain asset classes — may apply to a deceased person's UAE-situated assets, regardless of their nationality or religion. This means bank accounts can be frozen, real estate may be distributed contrary to the deceased's wishes, and family members may not receive the inheritance they expected. Non-Muslims can avoid this by registering a Will through the DIFC Wills Service Centre or the ADGM Wills Registration Service, both of which apply common law succession principles.

There is no inheritance tax, capital gains tax or wealth tax in the UAE at the personal level. This is one of the UAE's primary attractions for UHNW individuals and families. Corporate entities are subject to the 9% corporate tax on profits, but there is no exit tax, no transfer tax on gifts to family members, and no annual wealth tax. However, individuals relocating from countries with inheritance or capital gains taxes (such as the UK or Australia) must carefully manage their departure from the home country tax system to ensure those taxes do not continue to apply to UAE gains and disposals.

The UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year renewable residency visa that does not require an employer sponsor and allows holders to maintain residency without minimum days-in-country requirements. Investment pathways include UAE property purchase of at least AED 2 million, business ownership meeting value thresholds, and professional qualification categories (doctors, engineers, lawyers, scientists and other recognised professions). Golden Visa holders can sponsor immediate family members, including spouses, children, and in many cases parents.

The DIFC requires family offices to demonstrate aggregate net assets of at least USD 50 million (raised from USD 10 million under previous rules). ADGM has similar thresholds for its regulated family office framework. For families below these thresholds, alternative structures including DIFC Prescribed Companies, UAE holding companies, DMCC Single Family Office licences, and appropriate offshore vehicles can achieve similar wealth structuring objectives without the full family office regulatory requirement.