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ARTICLE · 28 MARCH 2025

Structuring Real Estate Ownership Through A DIFC Foundation

Habib Al Mulla & Partners
Habib Al Mulla & Partners
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Habib Al Mulla & Partners

Habib Al Mulla & Partners

Firm Details Established: 1984 Legal Professionals: 50+ Office Locations: 7 (Dubai, Abu Dhabi,...

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Structuring real estate deals through a foundation in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has become increasingly popular in Dubai.

United Arab EmiratesReal Estate and Construction
Gerry Rogers
Gerry Rogers
Danila Kriuchkov
Danila Kriuchkov

INTRODUCTION

Structuring real estate deals through a foundation in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has become increasingly popular in Dubai. This approach provides high-net-worth individuals with efficient asset management, confidentiality, and tax optimization.

A DIFC foundation is a legal entity that holds and manages assets, such as real estate, for private or charitable purposes. Governed by DIFC Law No. 3 of 2018 (the DIFC Foundation Law), it offers significant advantages for real estate ownership, especially for foreign investors. Unlike corporate entities like limited liability companies, a foundation has no shareholders. Instead, it operates based on its charter and by-laws, managed by council members.

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