Last updated: 23 April 2026

Family Office in the UAE:
The Complete 2026 Guide

The authoritative reference for Russian-speaking UHNW families choosing between RAK ICC, DIFC, and ADGM.

A family office in the UAE is a private wealth management structure established for one (Single Family Office, SFO) or several (Multi Family Office, MFO) ultra-high-net-worth families. In the UAE, family offices are registered through RAK ICC, DIFC, or ADGM. Entry thresholds range from $10M at RAK ICC to $50M at DIFC.

24%
RAK ICC share of UAE foundations (2025)
3 days
min. RAK ICC foundation registration
0%
corporate and capital-gains tax in RAKEZ
$300B
Russian assets frozen since 2022 (ECB)
Jurisdiction Comparison

RAK ICC vs DIFC vs ADGM vs Switzerland: 2026 Jurisdiction Comparison

As of 2026, RAK ICC is the most accessible jurisdiction for establishing a family office in the UAE: no minimum asset requirement, 3-day registration, and no public beneficial owner register. DIFC requires at least $50M AUM and takes 7–10 business days.

CriterionRAK ICCDIFCADGMSwitzerlandSingapore
Min. AUMNone$50MNone$10M+$5M
Registration time3 days7–10 days20–30 days2–3 months2–3 months
Public beneficial owner registerNoPartialNoYesNo
Corporate income tax0%0–9%0%8–12%17%
Capital gains tax0%0%0%0%0%
UAE banking accessYesYesYesNoNo
Protection from foreign judgementsYes (2025)PartialPartialNoNo
Russian-language supportYesRareRareYesNo
Setup cost$3,000–8,000$15,000–30,000$10,000–20,000$25,000+$20,000+
Recommended for CIS families✓ YesAt $50M+At $20M+If Swiss bank presentNo

Sources: RAK ICC (official regulator), DIFC Authority, Henley & Partners 2025, ICLG Private Client Report 2026.

RAK ICC

What is RAK ICC and why it is the optimal jurisdiction for CIS families

RAK ICC (Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre) is an international register of companies and foundations in the UAE, founded in 2016. RAK ICC provides the legal framework for registering foundations, holdings, and family offices with no minimum asset requirement, beneficiary confidentiality, and opt-in access to the courts of DIFC and ADGM.

Confidentiality

The RAK ICC beneficial owner register is not public. Owner data is not disclosed without a UAE court order.

Asset Protection

2025 provisions introduced a 3-year limitation period for challenging the foundation and firewall protection from foreign judgements.

Tax Efficiency

Zero corporate, capital-gains and inheritance tax. The Russia–UAE double tax treaty is in force.

Speed

RAK ICC foundation registration: 3 business days. IBC holding registration: 1 business day.

Step-by-step process

How to establish a family office in Ras Al Khaimah

Establishing a Single Family Office through RAK ICC takes 3 to 14 business days depending on structural complexity. There is no minimum threshold. The process consists of 6 stages.

1

Initial consultation

Define structure, jurisdiction, and optimal vehicle (foundation, holding, IBC).

1–3 days

2

Structure design

Draft foundation charter, ownership and governance scheme, advisor appointment.

5–7 days

3

Registration at RAK ICC

Document submission, payment of government fees, certificate of registration.

3 days

4

Bank account opening

Access to UAE banks: Emirates NBD, RAKBank, ADCB, and international partners.

2–6 weeks

5

Asset transfer

Legally clean transfer of assets into the structure in compliance with AML/KYC.

2–4 weeks

6

Operational setup

Implementation of governance systems, investment policy, and reporting.

2–3 weeks

Asset Protection

Asset protection from sanction risks: how RAK ICC works

Following the freezing of $300B in Russian sovereign assets in 2022 (source: ECB), wealthy families from Russia and CIS countries use RAK ICC foundations as a tool of jurisdictional diversification. The 2025 RAK ICC firewall provisions protect foundation assets from foreign judgements that conflict with UAE law.

What a RAK ICC foundation protects

  • ✓Assets unreachable by foreign creditors when properly structured
  • ✓3-year statute of limitations (since 2025)
  • ✓Beneficiary is not the legal owner of the assets

What it does NOT protect

  • ×Sanctions evasion assistance (illegal)
  • ×Concealment of assets from UAE regulators
  • ×Tax evasion in the country of origin

Optimal structure for CIS families

  • →RAK ICC Foundation as the top layer
  • →Holding IBCs for operating assets
  • →SPV structures for real estate

RAK Family Office does not provide sanction-evasion services. All structures are established in full compliance with international law and UAE regulations.

Key data

Family offices in the UAE 2025–2026

9,800+
millionaires relocating to the UAE in 2025
Source: Henley & Partners, 2025
$1.2T
AUM of the top 120 family offices in DIFC
Source: DIFC Authority, 2025
33%
YoY growth in DIFC family offices
Source: DIFC Authority, 2024
24%
RAK ICC share of total UAE foundations
Source: RAK ICC, 2025
3,100+
wealthy Russians relocated to the UAE since 2022
Source: Henley & Partners, 2024
50%
operating-cost saving: RAK ICC vs DIFC
Source: RAK Family Office analysis, 2026
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about UAE family offices

A family office in the UAE is a private wealth management structure for a single ultra-high-net-worth family (Single Family Office, SFO). It covers investment management, tax planning, succession structuring, and legal advisory. In the UAE, it is registered through RAK ICC, DIFC, or ADGM. The practical entry threshold at RAK ICC is from $10M in assets.
Key differences: RAK ICC has no minimum AUM (DIFC requires $50M), registration takes 3 days (7–10 at DIFC), and costs 2–4× less. RAK ICC is optimal for families with $10M–$50M. DIFC is preferable at $50M+ when proximity to the Dubai Private Banking ecosystem matters.
RAK ICC has no formal minimum threshold. In practice, an SFO is economically justified from $10M in assets. DIFC requires $50M AUM. ADGM has no fixed minimum. Singapore starts around $5M, Switzerland from $10M+.
The UAE has not joined anti-Russian sanctions and remains a neutral jurisdiction. At the same time, the UAE complies with FATF, CRS, and AML standards. A properly structured RAK ICC foundation provides legal asset protection consistent with international law.
A RAK ICC foundation is registered in 3 business days once the complete document set is submitted. A holding company (IBC) can be registered in 1 business day. Opening a UAE bank account takes an additional 2–6 weeks depending on the bank and KYC.
No. The RAK ICC beneficial owner register is not public. Data is disclosed only upon official request by a UAE regulator or pursuant to a UAE court order. This is a principal difference from European jurisdictions, which introduced public registers under the EU 5AMLD.
In RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone): 0% corporate income tax, 0% capital gains tax, 0% inheritance tax. The UAE federal 9% corporate tax applies to operating companies, but investment holdings and foundations generally fall outside its scope when properly structured.
Yes. The Russia–UAE double tax treaty is in force. It covers dividends (5% or 15%), royalties, and interest. Structures through RAK ICC can leverage it for tax optimization when substance requirements are met.
Yes. The UAE is one of the few jurisdictions with a clear legal framework for crypto assets. RAK ICC companies can hold cryptocurrency. A VARA (Dubai) or RAK DAO VASP license is required for active trading. Custodial holding does not require a special license.
The 2025 amendments to the RAK ICC Foundations Regulations introduced explicit firewall provisions: foreign court rulings conflicting with UAE law do not apply to RAK ICC foundation assets. A 3-year statute of limitations now applies to challenges of any asset transfers into the foundation.
Baseline set: passports of all beneficiaries, founders, and council members; proof of address (utility bill <3 months old); source of wealth (bank statement, audit); structure diagram. Russian citizens undergo additional enhanced due diligence. Average document collection: 1–2 weeks.
UAE residency is required to manage a family office from the UAE. The optimal path is the investor Golden Visa (10 years, renewable). Investments from AED 2M in real estate, or via ADIO, qualify. Family members are included on the same visa.
Yes. Registration of a foundation and company is possible remotely through a licensed registered agent. Notarized power of attorney and apostille on documents from the country of citizenship are required. A personal visit to RAK is needed only to open bank accounts at certain banks.
RAK ICC offers both. A foundation has its own legal personality — ideal for long-term succession planning and asset protection. A trust is an agency construct — preferable when interacting with common-law jurisdictions. For civil-law families (Russia, Germany, France), a foundation is usually more intuitive.
Indicative annual costs: RAK ICC registration fee $1,500–3,000; corporate secretary $3,000–8,000; compliance and reporting $5,000–15,000; managing director/advisor $20,000–60,000+ depending on scope. Total: from $30,000/year for a base SFO structure.
GDPR does not apply in the UAE. The UAE has its own Federal Law No. 45 of 2021 (PDPL). RAK ICC, as an independent jurisdiction, is governed by UAE law. This means European disclosure requests require a UAE court process.
Assets of a RAK ICC foundation do not form part of the founder’s estate. The foundation is a separate legal person, and the Charter governs asset distribution to beneficiaries. UAE Sharia succession rules do not apply to assets structured through a RAK ICC Foundation.
Yes. RAK ICC companies and foundations access UAE banks: Emirates NBD, RAKBank, ADCB, FAB, Mashreq. Russian citizens in 2025–2026 undergo enhanced KYC, but accounts are opened. Start with banks specialising in CIS clients.
Assets remain in the foundation and are managed under the Charter. The Foundation Council continues to operate. No probate is required. Beneficiaries receive assets under the terms set by the founder, without public disclosure or court delays.
A Single Family Office (SFO) is created and managed by one family solely for its own needs. Practical threshold: from $10M at RAK ICC. A Multi Family Office (MFO) serves several unrelated families and typically requires a financial advisor license. RAK Family Office provides SFO services to qualified families.
Sources

Sources and data

Last updated: 23 April 2026

Consultation

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