Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
Family Office Setup, Dubai, UAE
DIFC or ADGM, published pricing from AED 40,000 to AED 80,000. Here's how to choose the right jurisdiction and get set up.
Free, no-obligation consultation on jurisdiction, structure and cost.
A family office manages and grows a family's wealth through dedicated governance, investment and succession structures, most commonly set up in DIFC or ADGM. DIFC generally suits larger family offices, with a cited minimum net asset requirement of around USD 50 million, while ADGM offers a lower entry point from around USD 10 million. Published competitor pricing runs from approximately AED 40,000 (ADGM) to AED 75,000-80,000 (DIFC/DWTC), and structures can be set up as a single-family office (SFO) or a multi-family office (MFO) serving several families.
Why It Matters
A family office manages and grows a family's wealth through dedicated governance, investment and succession structures, most commonly set up in DIFC or ADGM. Published competitor pricing runs from around AED 40,000 to AED 80,000 depending on jurisdiction, and DIFC layers on its own substantial minimum net asset requirement. Comparing jurisdictions before you commit avoids setting up in the wrong one for your family's asset size and goals.
Comparing Your Jurisdictions
Suits larger family offices, with a cited minimum net asset requirement of around USD 50 million and published setup costs from approximately AED 75,000.
A more accessible entry point from around USD 10 million, with published setup costs from approximately AED 40,000.
Structure family wealth with formal governance and succession planning built in.
Structure investment and management activities with UAE corporate tax planning in mind.
100% repatriation of capital and profits, with no currency restrictions.
Before You Apply
Confirm your family's asset base meets your target jurisdiction's minimum requirement.
Decide between a single-family office serving your family alone, or a multi-family office.
Define your governance and succession planning approach before setup.
Engage legal, tax and investment advisors early in the process.
Getting Started
Clarify your family office's purpose, scope and structure (SFO or MFO).
Bring in legal, tax and investment advisors to guide the setup.
Compare DIFC, ADGM and DWTC against your asset base and goals.
Incorporate your family office entity in your chosen jurisdiction.
Put governance, investment and succession frameworks in place.
Settle registration and licensing fees for your chosen jurisdiction.
Collect your family office licence and open your corporate bank account.
Bring on the investment, legal and operational team your family office needs.
Budgeting
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| ADGM setup (from) | AED 40,000* |
| DWTC setup | AED 25,000-80,000* |
| DIFC setup (from) | AED 75,000* |
| DIFC minimum net assets | Approx. USD 50 million |
| ADGM minimum net assets | Approx. USD 10 million |
| Nationality requirement | Open to any nationality |
*Indicative only, based on published competitor starting rates at the time of writing. Confirm current jurisdiction-specific pricing and minimum-asset requirements directly with our team before budgeting a total.
Our Story
Smart Zones® UAE has helped more than 45,000 clients worldwide set up, relocate and protect their interests across the UAE, backed by 13+ years of experience in company formation, residency, banking and family trust formation.
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The trust formation process was seamless from start to finish. Highly recommend Smart Zones UAE.
Professional, transparent, and fast. Exactly what I needed for my family's estate planning.
Clear guidance throughout and no hidden costs. Would use them again.
Responsive team and a genuinely smooth setup process from our first call to licence in hand.
Handled everything remotely for us with zero surprises on cost. Would use them again without hesitation.
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Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment