You’re Not Alone.
And You’re Not Stuck.

UK business owners face rising taxes and regulation. Dubai offers a clean, tax-efficient alternative — if set up correctly.

Why More UK Businesses Are Moving to Dubai:

0% personal income tax

0% corporate tax on profits up to AED 375K

9% flat tax above that

No capital gains/dividend tax

100% profit repatriation

Proper structuring = full compliance

UK vs UAE: Tax & Business Environment

Here’s a side-by-side look at how the UAE stacks up and why so many UK business owners are making the move.

United Kingdom (UK)

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Corporate Tax Rate

19% to 25%
‍^{on profits}

0% to 9% ^{on profits}

Dividend Tax

Up to 39.35%
‍^{(for higher-rate taxpayers)}

Capital Gains Tax

Up to 28% ^{(e.g. on residential property or share disposals)}

Personal Income Tax

Up to 45%

National Insurance Contributions

Employer and employee contributions required

None

Repatriation of Profits

Subject to UK tax depending on structure

100% repatriation allowed with no UAE tax

Ownership Rules

UK-registered only

100% foreign ownership allowed in Free Zones and most mainland sectors

Company Setup Time

UK online incorporation: 1–3 business days via Companies House

Free Zone registration: 5–10 business days
Full operational readiness: 2–4 weeks (including bank account and visas)

Business Environment

Regulated, with higher tax and complex compliance

Regulated, low tax and business-friendly

Transfer Pricing Rules

Mandatory under OECD guidelines

Mandatory from 2024 under UAE Corporate Tax Law

^{Note: Timelines can vary by Free Zone, activity, and applicant background.}

A Real Economy,
Not Just a Low-Tax Jurisdiction

Dubai isn’t a paper-based offshore haven. It’s a fully operational, high-growth economy designed for real businesses that want to scale globally.

30+ Free Zones

Dubai offers over 30 specialised Free Zones tailored to industries like tech, finance, healthcare, and logistics, making business setup faster and more strategic.

100% foreign ownership

Set up your business with full foreign ownership and no local sponsor required — total control, from day one.

Global logistics & infrastructure

With world-class ports, airports, and digital infrastructure, Dubai connects your business to global markets seamlessly.

Pro-business innovation

Dubai’s government actively supports growth through startup grants, innovation hubs, and low-tax policies.

English-speaking, common law systems

Operate with confidence in an English-speaking environment under familiar legal frameworks based on common law principles.

The Smarter Expansion for UK Business Owners

You’re Not Alone.
And You’re Not Stuck.

UK vs UAE: Tax & Business Environment

Category

United Kingdom (UK)

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

A Real Economy,
Not Just a Low-Tax Jurisdiction

30+ Free Zones

100% foreign ownership

Global logistics & infrastructure

Pro-business innovation

English-speaking, common law systems

The Smarter Expansion for UK Business Owners

You’re Not Alone. And You’re Not Stuck.

UK vs UAE: Tax & Business Environment

Category

United Kingdom (UK)

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

A Real Economy, Not Just a Low-Tax Jurisdiction

30+ Free Zones

100% foreign ownership

Global logistics & infrastructure

Pro-business innovation

English-speaking, common law systems

You’re Not Alone.
And You’re Not Stuck.

A Real Economy,
Not Just a Low-Tax Jurisdiction