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Moving guides

From France to Qatar

What changes in tax when you move from France to Qatar: what you pay today, what you would pay there and the rules France applies when you leave.

What you would save

With €150,000 a year in dividends or foreign income, compared as a genuine resident of each country.

Today in France€47,100
In Qatar€0
Yearly difference+€47,100

Full guide: Qatar →

Leaving France

  • Home (foyer) or main place of stay. You are resident if your household (spouse, children) habitually lives in France, or, failing that, if France is where you spend most of your time.
  • Main professional activity in France. You are resident if your main work activity is in France, unless it is ancillary. Executives of French-headquartered companies with turnover above EUR 250 million are presumed to work mainly in France.
  • Centre of economic interests. You are resident if France is the centre of your economic interests, for example your main investments, business seat or the source of most of your income.

Rules that can follow you after leaving

  • French nationals in Monaco remain taxable in France. Under the 1963 France-Monaco tax convention, French nationals living in Monaco are generally taxed in France as if resident, unless they lived there before 13 October 1957 (five years' residence by 1962).

Exit tax in France

Exit tax (article 167 bis CGI)

  • Tax resident in France for at least 6 of the 10 years before leaving.
  • Securities and company rights worth at least EUR 800,000 in total, OR at least 50% of the profits of a company.

Unrealised capital gains (and earn-out receivables and previously deferred gains) are taxed on departure as if realised, at the flat tax (12.8% income tax plus social charges) or progressive rates if elected.

Exit tax → · Am I still resident? →

Arriving in Qatar

Personal income: 0% · Company tax: 10%

Residence permit through a job, company or property investment.

183 days a year.

No personal income tax. Companies pay 10% on the foreign-owned share. Very expensive and geared to people who work there.

Living there

Monthly cost for one person, rent included
Doha€2,500–3,100
Climate
Hot desert; 40-45°C summers, mild winters 15-25°C.
Direct flights to
London, Paris, Frankfurt, New York, Singapore
Safety
High
International schools
Many
Fixed internet
212 Mbps

Steps to residency

  1. 3 weeksRegister company with Ministry of Commerce or QFC
  2. 2 weeksObtain establishment card and entry visa
  3. 1 weeksMedical test and fingerprints
  4. 1 weeksResidence permit (QID) issued

About 7 weeks in total

Official websites: Tax authority · Immigration

Approximate figures that change often; check them before deciding.

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