Ancova

DMCC Foundation

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A DMCC foundation is set up by one or more founders under the DMCCA Foundations Regulations, which DMCC announced on 23 September 2026 and which apply once in force. It needs a council of at least two councillors. On 8 November 2026 DMCC was not yet accepting applications.

What Ancova does

Ancova structures and administers UAE foundations and holding companies. We start with a confidential consultation to map your goals before recommending a structure.

  • Statutory Firewall

    A transfer to the foundation is not void because of a foreign forced-heirship rule, and inconsistent foreign judgments are not recognised. A creditor can still set a transfer aside if the founder was insolvent or meant to defraud, and the creditor must prove it. Actions must start within three years.

  • UAE Tax Position

    No UAE personal income tax for individuals. A foundation is taxed in its own right by default. There is no blanket 0% rate for foundations. A family foundation that meets the conditions can apply to the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) to be treated as tax transparent. That means it is not subject to corporate tax in its own right. The basis is Article 17 of Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. Separately, a Free Zone Person that meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions pays 0% corporate tax on its Qualifying Income.

  • DIFC Courts

    The supervising court for DMCC foundations is the DIFC Courts.

  • Council and Guardian

    A foundation needs a council of at least two councillors. A Guardian is optional while a founder is alive and required once none is.

DMCC Foundation: quick facts

The Facts That Matter for a DMCC Foundation

Figures and rules on this page were checked on 8 November 2026 against the DMCCA Foundations Regulations, the DMCCA Company Regulations, Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, the FTA's family foundations guide CTGFF1 (June 2026), DMCC's announcement of 23 September 2026 and DMCC's foundations page.

Key features

  • Statutory firewall against foreign forced-heirship rules (Articles 23 to 25).
  • Supervision by the DIFC Courts.
  • Registered office in the DMCC Free Zone; a registered agent is optional.
  • Minimum initial assets of USD 100, held by the foundation.
  • No UAE personal income tax for individuals; the foundation itself is taxed in its own right by default.

How We Help

Structuring and administration of your DMCC foundation, built around your goals

  1. [ 01 ]

    Goals and structure

    We map your goals and assets, then recommend a structure. The foundation's name must end with "Foundation FZCO", and it must hold a valid licence.

  2. [ 02 ]

    Founder, Council and Guardian

    Founders sign the application, and the foundation needs a council of at least two councillors. A Guardian is optional while a founder is alive and required once none is. We go through the roles with you.

  3. [ 03 ]

    Charter

    The foundation's Charter is written in English (Articles 8.1 to 8.5). We go through its contents with you.

  4. [ 04 ]

    Registration status

    The DMCC Registrar registers the foundation. On 8 November 2026 DMCC was not yet accepting applications.

  5. [ 05 ]

    Administration

    A foundation's accounts must be ready within six months of the financial year end, unless DMCCA prescribes another period, and examined by a DMCCA-approved auditor. Several changes must be notified within 14 business days. We administer the foundation with you.

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Insights

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Founders, council, Charter, the DMCC firewall and the application status are explained in our guide DMCC Foundation: What It Is, What It Costs and Who It Suits.

Reviewed by Amine Derag, Director of Strategy, Ancova Associates. Last checked: .

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