DIFC Foundation

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A DIFC Foundation is a legal structure for holding and protecting assets, separating personal wealth from business and family interests, and supporting succession planning, philanthropy, and asset protection.

The Difference We Make.

Don't waste weeks figuring it out alone. Let our team fast-track your DIFC Foundation establishment with end-to-end structuring, registration, and governance.

  • Asset Segregation

    Keeps foundation assets legally separate from personal wealth.

  • Tax-Neutral Environment

    No personal or corporate taxes in the DIFC.

  • Creditor Protection

    Strong legal barriers against external claims and disputes.

  • Global Recognition

    Recognised by the UAE and respected internationally.

DIFC Foundation — Quick Facts

The Numbers That Matter for a DIFC Foundation

Verified figures from the DIFC Foundations Law 2018 (DIFC Law No. 3 of 2018) and the official Foundation Checklist. Unlike ADGM Foundations, DIFC's law does not specify a minimum endowment amount.

  • Statutory minimum endowment

    None specified

    Foundations Law 2018, Article 27 — any value of property satisfies the endowment requirement

    DIFC Foundations Law 2018

  • Foundations Law citation

    DIFC Law No. 3 of 2018

    "Foundations Law 2018" — per Article 1

    DIFC Legal Database

  • Processing timeline

    ≈ 2 weeks

    4 working days registration + 5 working days operating licence

Last reviewed: 2026-05-12. Figures change — verify against the regulator before quoting clients.

Benefits

  • Asset segregation from personal wealth
  • Tax-neutral jurisdiction
  • Creditor protection
  • Used in combination with offshore trusts or holding companies
  • Recognised by UAE and global institutions

How We Help

End-to-end DIFC Foundation setup from structuring and legal design to registration and global asset integration, ensuring a seamless compliant solution tailored to your wealth goals

  1. [ 01 ]

    Registration of foundation with DIFC Registrar

    Name reservation, filing of Charter and By-laws, and operating-licence issuance under DIFC Law No. 3 of 2018.

  2. [ 02 ]

    Appointment of Founder, Council, and Guardian

    Governance roles defined under the Foundations Law, with mandatory Guardian where the founder retains reserved powers.

  3. [ 03 ]

    Drafting of Charter and By-laws

    Purpose, beneficiary class, asset transfer mechanics, and reserved-powers framework set out in the foundational documents.

  4. [ 04 ]

    Full compliance with DIFC laws

    Annual confirmation, accounts retention, beneficial-owner registration, and Foundations Law Schedule 2 obligations.

  5. [ 05 ]

    Legal structuring integrated with offshore trusts, holding companies or wills

    Coordinated cross-border wealth architecture.

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