Is The Commoditisation Of The UAE Foundation Structure Harming Its Development?

With the number of foundations registered in the UAE surpassing 650, the structure is increasingly being used as an 'off the shelf product', rather than a bespoke wealth solution, explains Nina Auchoybur, as she takes a step back to highlight the key considerations before choosing a foundation.

UAE foundations have soared in popularity since legislation was first introduced in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in 2017, and later in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre (RAKICC). Where private clients had to previously rely on costly corporate vehicles or trusts for their wealth and succession planning, foundations now provide a more straightforward and accessible solution.