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United Arab Emirates or Hong Kong: where to set up your company?
Two deliverable jurisdictions, side by side on the facts our profiles carry — company form, tax, capital, timeline, banking, substance and our price. Who each one fits, what really decides between them, and the traps of each.
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Usual company form | FZ-LLC · LLC | Ltd |
| Corporate taxation | 0 % up to AED 375,000 then 9 % · registration mandatory even at nil rate | 8.25 to 16.5 % · exemption possible on income earned outside the territory, on application |
| Share capital | Not established | HKD 1 |
| Incorporation time | 2–4 weeks | 1–2 days |
| Banking access | Accessible | Demanding |
| Substance requirement | Real presence required | Necessary, but not sufficient on its own |
| Our services | On request | from 2,390 € |
United Arab Emirates — who it's for
- 0 % up to AED 375,000 of profit, then 9 % — and 0 % personal income tax.
- Two-year residence visa for the investor and family.
- Twenty free zones, one of which matches your activity precisely.
Hong Kong — who it's for
- Natural gateway to the Chinese and Asian markets.
- Possible exemption on income generated outside the territory.
What really decides between them
- Corporate tax — United Arab Emirates : 0 % up to AED 375,000 then 9 % · registration mandatory even at nil rate · Hong Kong : 8.25 to 16.5 % · exemption possible on income earned outside the territory, on application
- Minimum capital — United Arab Emirates : Not established · Hong Kong : HKD 1
- Registration time — United Arab Emirates : 2–4 weeks · Hong Kong : 1–2 days
- Banking access — United Arab Emirates : Accessible · Hong Kong : Demanding
- Substance — United Arab Emirates : Real presence required · Hong Kong : Necessary, but not sufficient on its own
- Our price — United Arab Emirates : On request · Hong Kong : from 2,390 €
Figures from each profile; to be checked there. The right choice depends on where you will really operate and bank.
Traps — United Arab Emirates
- Corporate tax registration mandatory even at nil rate, with accounts to keep.
- The zone determines everything: choosing wrongly forces a full rebuild.
Traps — Hong Kong
- The exemption is not automatic: it is claimed and justified file by file.
- Account opening often requires a trip and demonstrable Asian clients.
United Arab Emirates or Hong Kong: frequently asked questions
United Arab Emirates or Hong Kong: which is cheaper to set up?
United Arab Emirates: On request; Hong Kong: from 2,390 €. Starting prices, official fees included, excluding tax.
United Arab Emirates or Hong Kong: how does corporate tax compare?
United Arab Emirates: 0 % up to AED 375,000 then 9 % · registration mandatory even at nil rate; Hong Kong: 8.25 to 16.5 % · exemption possible on income earned outside the territory, on application. To be checked on each profile.
United Arab Emirates or Hong Kong: which is faster to register?
United Arab Emirates: 2–4 weeks; Hong Kong: 1–2 days. Usual times.