Living, doing business and visas in Dubai: a practical guide for investors

For many clients, buying a property in Dubai is the first step towards a more meaningful change — moving a business, obtaining residency or even relocating the whole family. The following guide provides a realistic overview of what life, business and residency in Dubai look like from a Czech investor's perspective. Tax framework (2026) The UAE maintains one of the most competitive tax regimes in the world: 0% personal income tax (salaries, rent, dividends for individuals), a 9% corporate tax in force since June 2023 only on profits above AED 375,000 (approx. USD 100,000), 5% VAT on most goods and services, 0% capital gains and inheritance tax for individuals, 0% tax on rental income (at the individual level). Compared with the Czech Republic — where a client faces 15/23% personal income tax plus additional charges — total tax burden can realistically be reduced by tens of percentage points, provided the client becomes an actual UAE tax resident (not just a visa holder). Residency and visas There are three standard routes to long-term residency today. The 2-year residence visa — linked to property ownership from around AED 750,000 or to employment with a UAE-based company. The 5-year Green Visa — for freelancers, investors and specialists with evidenced income. The 10-year Golden Visa — for investors (property from AED 2,000,000), business owners, top management, investors in public funds, researchers and individuals with demonstrably outstanding achievements. The Golden Visa can be extended to spouse, children and parents and does not require continuous residence in the UAE (an occasional visit every 6 months is sufficient). Setting up a company: freezone vs. mainland Freezone (JAFZA, DAFZ, DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ, Meydan Free Zone and others): 100% foreign ownership, full profit repatriation, simpler setup, typically no need for a physical office (a shared flexi-desk is enough for lighter licences). Suitable for consulting, IT, e-commerce, trading, digital services and investment activities. Setup cost from AED 15,000 per year (basic licence), typically AED 25,000–45,000 with visa and office. Mainland (DED — Department of Economic Development): a licence for full-scope business across the UAE, including B2C, retail shops, restaurants. Since 2021, most activities also allow 100% foreign ownership. A higher cost base than freezone (a physical office is mandatory), but full access to the local market. Recommendation: for the first entry and expansion from the Czech Republic, a freezone is usually optimal. If you operate in retail, F&B or local services, mainland is a must. Bank account Opening a personal account (Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADCB, HSBC, WIO Bank) takes 5–20 working days. A residence visa and Emirates ID are required. A corporate account is usually faster in a reputable freezone — the bank runs compliance checks on ownership structure (UBO), source of funds (AML) and business logic. We recommend preparing a business plan, proof of source of wealth and Czech references if available. Accommodation: short-term, long-term, ownership Short-term: hotels and serviced apartments (Downtown, Marina, Business Bay) — immediate but expensive for long-term stays. Long-term rental: the Dubai standard is an annual contract paid in 1–4 cheques upfront (typically 2 cheques). One-bed rents in prime locations run at AED 90,000–150,000 per year, some 30–60% higher than Prague but with a materially higher standard of finish and service. Ownership: standard freehold ownership (see the article "How to buy property in Dubai") — most economical for medium to long-term stays. Health insurance Health insurance is mandatory for residents (provided by the employer for employees; secured individually by entrepreneurs). Basic plans start at AED 2,500 per year, premium plans (Bupa, AXA, Cigna) at AED 8,000–20,000 per year. The standard of private care in Dubai matches the global top tier (American Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Mediclinic). Schooling Dubai has one of the most developed networks of international schools in the world — British (GEMS, Nord Anglia), American, IB, French, German, Swiss and Indian curricula. Fees range from AED 30,000–110,000 per year depending on school and grade. Enrolments run year-round; for top schools, planning ahead is essential. Quality of life Dubai consistently ranks in the global top 10 for expats (Mercer, HSBC Expat Explorer, InterNations). Safety is among the highest in the world (Numbeo Safety Index consistently above 80), the healthcare infrastructure is world-class and air connectivity is around 6 hours to Europe and 4 hours to Asia. Climate: 8 months per year are ideal (October–May); 4 months of extreme heat (June–September) — a period during which many expats travel. When relocation pays off and when it does not Relocation is typically economically justified when an individual's or a company's annual taxable profit exceeds CZK 5 million, at which point the annual tax saving outweighs the cost of a freezone licence, housing, insurance and schools. It does not pay off when the client depends on physical presence in the Czech Republic (manufacturing, Czech retail without delegation) or is unwilling to become an actual UAE tax resident — the visa alone is not enough; passing the tax residency test and properly terminating Czech residency are essential. A specific project in our portfolio Fitting the strategy "entering Dubai as an investor with the option of future residency" is Opal by Crystal in Jumeirah Village Circle — suitable both for rental and for own use thanks to the premium residential infrastructure of the community. Current availability, payment schedule and floor plans are on the project detail page. Summary Relocating a business and residency to Dubai is, for a growing group of Czech clients, a rational strategic decision — combining a lower tax burden, a strong legal framework, high-quality healthcare and education, a strategic geographic location and a stable currency pegged to the USD. The critical success factor is proper structuring of the whole step in cooperation with an experienced tax and legal adviser. Risk notice The tax rates cited (0% personal, 9% corporate above AED 375,000, 5% VAT) and the visa thresholds (AED 750,000, AED 2,000,000) reflect current UAE practice at the date of publication and may change over time. Questions of tax residency, transfer pricing, CFC rules and the double taxation treaty between the Czech Republic and the UAE materially affect the client's actual tax outcome — this article does not constitute tax or legal advice. We recommend an individual consultation with a specialist in Czech-Emirati structures before deciding. This news item is provided for information only and does not constitute a public offer or investment recommendation.