The UAE offers an ideal jurisdiction for holding companies due to its favourable tax regime, strategic location, robust legal framework, and world-class infrastructure.
Shield personal assets from subsidiary liabilities through corporate separation. Each subsidiary operates as an independent legal entity.
Benefit from participation exemption on qualifying shareholdings under UAE Corporate Tax. Dividends and capital gains from subsidiaries may be tax-exempt.
Manage multiple business interests, investments, and assets through a single parent company structure with unified governance.
Expand regionally across Asia, Africa, and Europe from a strategic UAE base. Access 200+ bilateral investment treaties.
Hold real estate, stocks, intellectual property, and subsidiary shares under one umbrella. Mix mainland and free zone entities.
Open corporate bank accounts across all major UAE banks. Holding structure is widely recognized by local and international financial institutions.
What a UAE holding company can do for your business structure.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Asset Types | Real estate, stocks, subsidiaries, IP, bonds |
| Ownership Threshold | Minimum 5% for participation exemption (12-month holding) |
| Subsidiary Types | Mainland, free zone, and offshore entities |
| Dividend Income | Exempt from corporate tax under participation exemption |
| Capital Gains | Exempt from corporate tax on qualifying shareholdings |
| Banking | Corporate accounts at all major UAE banks |
| Visa Sponsorship | Employee and investor visas based on office space |
| Multi-Currency | Operate in AED, USD, EUR, GBP and more |
Select between ADDED (mainland) or ADGM based on your investor base, tax preferences, and whether you need government contract access.
Gather documents, reserve your trade name, and submit the license application through Tasreea. We handle all government liaison.
Obtain your holding company trade license, register with the commercial registry, and set up your corporate bank account.
Common questions about holding company formation, corporate tax, and structuring in the UAE.
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