Open a Holding Company in the UAE
A UAE holding company lets you own shares, real estate, intellectual property and investments under one tax-efficient structure. MSZ Consultancy sets you up in the right jurisdiction, DMCC, ADGM, DIFC or RAK ICC, and handles the licence, documents and bank introduction from start to finish.
- 0% corporate and personal tax on qualifying holding income
- 100% foreign ownership, no local partner required
- Four leading jurisdictions, matched to your assets
- Licence, documents and bank introduction handled
Get your free holding company consultation
Tell us what you want to hold and whether you need residency. An MSZ specialist recommends the right jurisdiction and calls you back.
Built for founders, families and groups consolidating their assets
If any of these sound like you, a UAE holding company is worth a short conversation.
Group and multi-company founders
B2B · operating groups
Own two or more operating companies under a single parent. Ring-fence risk, simplify shareholding and prepare cleanly for investment or exit.
Ring-fence risk
Family offices and private investors
B2C · private wealth
Hold real estate, equities, private company stakes and intellectual property in one privacy-protected vehicle, with succession and asset protection built in.
Asset protection
International businesses entering the UAE
B2B · global groups
Place a UAE holding entity above your global operations to access 0% tax on qualifying income, strong treaty access and credible banking, without relocating your team.
0% on qualifying incomeThe Basics
What is a UAE holding company?
A holding company is an entity whose purpose is to own and manage assets rather than trade. It can hold shares in other companies in the UAE mainland, free zones or abroad, plus real estate, intellectual property and investment portfolios. The operating businesses sit underneath it, which isolates risk, centralises control and makes ownership easier to transfer or sell.
What it can do
Own shares in subsidiaries, hold property and IP, receive dividends, and act as the parent for an entire group.
What it does not do
A pure holding company does not trade, invoice customers or run day to day operations. Those activities belong to the operating companies it owns.
Why structure matters
The right jurisdiction depends on what you are holding, whether you need residence permits, your privacy preference and your budget. That is the decision below.
Choose Your Jurisdiction
DMCC, ADGM, DIFC or RAK ICC. Which holding structure fits you?
All figures are indicative starting points combining government and typical service fees, verified June 2026 and confirmed per client.
| Feature | DMCC | ADGM (SPV) | DIFC (Prescribed Co.) | RAK ICC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal system | Free zone (civil law) | Common law | Common law | Common law (offshore) |
| Best for | Onshore prestige, trading groups | Investment and asset SPVs | Funds, finance, premium holdings | Low-cost asset holding |
| Physical office | Required | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Residence permits | Yes (with office) | No (passive SPV) | Via DIFC operating entity | No |
| Hold UAE and global shares | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hold Dubai freehold property | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (via DLD MoU) |
| Privacy of register | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | High (not publicly searchable) |
| Corporate tax | 0% on qualifying income | 0% on qualifying income | 0% on qualifying income | 0% (offshore, no UAE trade) |
DMCC
The world's most awarded free zone, based in Dubai. A fully onshore UAE entity with a recognised address, the option of residence permits with an office, and strong banking. Best when you want prestige, residency and the option to add trading activity later.
ADGM SPV
Abu Dhabi Global Market runs an English common-law system. Its Special Purpose Vehicle is a passive, low-cost holding vehicle to ring-fence assets and structure investments, with no office or staff required. Best for investment holdings, joint ventures and asset protection under common law.
DIFC Prescribed Company
The Dubai International Financial Centre is the region's leading financial hub, on English common law and regulated by the DFSA. Its Prescribed Company is a light-touch holding vehicle. As of 2026 the regime is opening to all applicants, with a corporate service provider required in most cases. Best for funds, fund managers and premium holding structures.
RAK ICC
Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre is the most cost-effective UAE holding jurisdiction. It offers 100% ownership, a private register, and the ability to hold shares in UAE and overseas companies, plus Dubai freehold property under a Land Department arrangement. It cannot sponsor residence permits or trade inside the UAE. Best for clean, low-cost asset holding without UAE residency.
How MSZ sets up your holding company
One team for structure, documents, incorporation and banking.
- 1
Consultation and structure
We map what you are holding and recommend the jurisdiction and ownership structure that fits, in plain terms.
- 2
Documentation
We draft the incorporation documents, shareholder structure and resolutions, and collect KYC. Completed in around 24 hours once details are confirmed.
- 3
Incorporation and licence
We file with the authority and issue your holding company, typically within 7 to 14 days.
- 4
Bank introduction
We introduce you to suitable UAE banks and support the account opening for your new structure.
Get your free holding company consultation
Tell us what you want to hold and whether you need residency. An MSZ specialist recommends the right jurisdiction and calls you back.
- Callback within 2 hours during business hours
- Licensed across DMCC, ADGM, DIFC and RAK ICC
- Prefer to talk now? Call +971 58 982 7842
Why choose MSZ Consultancy
Jurisdiction-neutral advice across DMCC, ADGM, DIFC and RAK ICC.
Jurisdiction-neutral advice
We are licensed across DMCC, ADGM, DIFC and RAK ICC, so we recommend the right fit, not a single product.
Proven track record
3,200+ companies formed and a 4.9 Google rating across client reviews.
One team, end to end
Licence, documents, corporate tax registration and banking, handled by a single team.
Satisfaction guarantee
A 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee on our service fee.
Trusted to structure UAE assets
Outcomes from founders, family offices and groups.
“We had three operating companies under different owners. MSZ consolidated them under a single holding entity and the shareholding is finally clean and investment-ready.”
“As a family office we wanted privacy and common law. MSZ recommended ADGM over the options we had shortlisted and handled the SPV from documents to bank introduction.”
“They compared DIFC and RAK ICC honestly and steered us to the lower-cost route that still did everything we needed. No upselling at all.”
Holding companies, answered
The questions investors ask us most before structuring their assets.
Which is the cheapest UAE holding company?
RAK ICC is the most cost-effective route. It suits pure asset and share holding where you do not need UAE residency. We confirm exact costs for your chosen jurisdiction on your free call.
Can a UAE holding company own property in Dubai?
Yes. DMCC, ADGM and DIFC entities can hold Dubai freehold, and RAK ICC can now hold Dubai freehold property under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dubai Land Department.
Do I pay tax on a UAE holding company?
Qualifying holding income such as dividends and capital gains is generally taxed at 0% under UAE corporate tax rules. MSZ confirms your position and handles corporate tax registration where required.
Can a holding company sponsor my UAE residency?
A DMCC holding company can sponsor residence permits when you take an office. ADGM SPVs, DIFC Prescribed Companies and RAK ICC offshore entities are passive and do not sponsor residence permits on their own.
Which jurisdiction is best for a family office?
ADGM and DIFC, both common-law jurisdictions, are popular for family offices and investment holdings. RAK ICC is chosen when privacy and low cost are the priority.
Build your UAE holding structure the right way
Tell us what you want to hold. We will recommend the best jurisdiction and handle the setup.