A holding company owns shares in other companies instead of trading itself. In Dubai it can sit in DIFC, ADGM, a free zone, on the mainland or offshore. The right place depends on what it will own and who will bank it. We set up the company and coordinate licensed legal and tax partners.
By Imran Mirza, Founder & CEO, Xillion Group UAE. Born and raised in the UAE, with 18+ years of professional working experience, including nearly seven years at Barclays and ADCB and 12 years in UAE business setup. Last reviewed 29 October 2026.
DIFC lists holding companies, proprietary investment companies and SPVs among its structures. An SPV is passive and cannot employ staff or trade, so a different structure is needed if you want a team. Banks ask more questions of a holding company with no staff and no office. A tax partner should confirm how corporate tax applies to your income and gains. Costs are quote on request.
Xillion Group UAE is a business setup consultancy. It is not a law firm or a tax agent. Legal and tax advice on the structure is coordinated through independent licensed external professional partners, who are not Xillion employees. The regulator or registry decides licences and approvals.
Xillion Group UAE is a consultancy. It is not a licensing authority, a bank or a law firm, and approvals are decided by the authority. This page is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice, and nothing here is a guarantee.
Your case may need more or less. We confirm the exact list with the authority or partner before you spend time on it.
| Item | What we can say |
|---|---|
| Cost | Quote on request. It depends on the zone, legal form, registered address, legal and tax work and banking. |
| Timeline | Quote on request. Zone registration is separate from bank account opening, which the bank decides. |
| Tax | Corporate tax rules apply. A tax partner confirms your position. |
| Guarantee | None. Licences and bank accounts are not guaranteed. |
| Option | When people consider it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| DIFC | Holding companies, SPVs and proprietary investment companies under DIFC's own laws. | An SPV is passive, cannot employ staff and cannot trade. Banks ask about substance. |
| ADGM | Holding structures under ADGM's framework. See ADGM page. | Confirm the current rules with ADGM or a lawyer. |
| Other free zones | Where the licence allows holding or investment activity. | Check the licence activity list in writing before you apply. |
| Mainland | When the holding will also trade or contract locally. | Different ownership and licensing rules apply. A lawyer should confirm. |
| Offshore (for example RAK ICC) | To hold assets or interests outside the local market. See RAK ICC guide. | Bank and substance questions are strict. |
A company that owns shares in other companies. It may not trade itself.
It depends on what you hold, who your banks are and what advisers recommend. Compare both with a lawyer.
It depends on the structure. DIFC says an SPV is passive and cannot employ staff. Banks ask more questions about a holding with no staff or office.
Corporate tax rules can apply. A tax partner must confirm your case. See corporate tax.
No. Legal and tax advice comes from licensed partners. We set up and coordinate.
Quote on request.
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DIFC pages were read on 26 October 2026. ADGM details were not re-read for this page and need confirming.
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Rules and fees change. These government and regulator pages are the place to confirm current requirements before you commit.
Book a free 30 minute consultation with Imran Mirza, Founder & CEO. We look at your plans and set out the right route, the documents and the costs in plain words. Licences, visas and bank accounts remain subject to authority and bank approval.