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Family Office Setup

Legacy That Lasts Beyond Generations

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                  A family office is a private wealth management entity established to manage the financial and personal affairs of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and their families.

Family Office Ensures Effective
Wealth Preservation and Continuity by

01


Centralized Governance

Family office consolidates management of various assets such as real estate, stocks, and private businesses under one entity.

02


Strategic Legacy Planning

Family office facilitates succession planning by creating legal structures, such as trusts or foundations, to transfer ownership of assets to future generations.

03


Professional Wealth Management

Family office engages financial experts to optimize asset allocation and risk management.

                  Several UAE free zones, including DWTC, DIFC, DMCC, RAK ICC, and IFZA, offer the opportunity to establish a family office. It can be structured as either a single-family office or a multi-family office, depending on the number of individuals or families the office is planning to manage.
Single Family Office (SFO)

An SFO is established to exclusively manage the assets of a single individual or a single family.

Multi-Family Office (MFO)

An MFO serves multiple individuals or families and typically offers a broader range of services. Depending on the nature of these services, additional licenses may be required. MFOs are subject to stricter regulatory oversight, especially when providing restricted services like investment management or financial advisory.

                  We offer comprehensive support in getting licenses for SFOs and MFOs as well as acting as an MFO. Whether you are creating a private office for a single individual or family or a multi-family structure, we are here to guide you every step of the way.

How to Set Up SFO / MFO

DWTC

01


For an SFO – a minimum AED 500,000 (USD 136,000) in liquid assets retained on account for at least 12 consecutive months, for an MFO - a list of family offices, individuals or family businesses that Multi Family Office wishes to service with supporting documentation such as passports, licenses, etc.

02


An SFO / MFO should have office space(s) in DWTC.

03


An SFO / MFO should be set-up as an independent parent entity, i.e. a license for a family office is a standalone license which does not allow to add or conduct any other activities under it (permitted activities include wealth and assets management, investment management, succession and financial management, management of legal affairs, administrative & concierge services).

DIFC

01


Higher incorporation cost and longer compliance process upon establishment.

02


A confirmation that an individual or a family that an SFO or an MFO will serve owns in aggregate a minimum $50,000,000 in net assets.

03


An SFO / MFO should rent office space(s) in DIFC unless there is a waiver, which allows to use address of the corporate services provider as a registered address.

04


A standalone license which does not allow to add or conduct any other activities under it (permitted activities include wealth and assets management, investment management, succession and financial management, management of legal affairs, administrative & concierge services).

Strategic Advantages of Family Office Setup in UAE

  • Tax Optimization and Financial Benefits. The UAE's favorable tax regime stands as one of the most compelling reasons for establishing a family office in the region. With zero personal income tax, minimal corporate taxation (0% for qualifying family offices), and an extensive network of over 130 double taxation treaties, families can maximize wealth preservation while maintaining full compliance. This tax-efficient environment enables multi-generational wealth transfer without the erosive impact of heavy taxation common in other jurisdictions.
  • Regulatory Excellence and Flexibility. The UAE offers multiple jurisdictions for family office setup, each with distinct advantages. Whether choosing DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre), ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market), DWTC (Dubai World Trade Centre), DMCC, RAK ICC, or IFZA, families benefit from world-class regulatory frameworks that balance oversight with operational flexibility. These financial free zones operate under common law principles, providing legal certainty and international recognition.
  • Confidentiality and Asset Protection. UAE family offices benefit from robust privacy regulations and asset protection mechanisms. The jurisdiction's commitment to safeguarding client confidentiality, combined with sophisticated legal structures such as foundations and trusts, ensures that family wealth remains secure and protected from external claims while maintaining transparency with regulatory authorities.