Moving guides
From Italy to United Arab Emirates
What changes in tax when you move from Italy to United Arab Emirates: what you pay today, what you would pay there and the rules Italy 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.
Leaving Italy
- Residence (habitual abode) for most of the year. You are resident if your habitual abode is in Italy for more than 183 days in the tax year (184 in a leap year), counting fractions of days, under the rules in force since 2024.
- Domicile: centre of personal and family life. Since 2024 domicile means the main centre of your personal and family relationships, which now weigh more than economic interests. Domicile in Italy for most of the year makes you resident.
- Physical presence. New since 2024: simply being physically present in Italy for more than 183 days in the year, including fractions of days, makes you resident.
- Registry of resident population (anagrafe). Being registered as resident for most of the year creates a presumption of residence. Since 2024 it can be rebutted with proof; registering in AIRE (Italians abroad) alone is not enough.
Rules that can follow you after leaving
- Presumption for moves to blacklisted countries. Italian citizens who deregister and move to a country on Italy's tax haven list are presumed still resident unless they prove a genuine move. The burden of proof is on the taxpayer.
Exit tax in Italy
No exit tax for private individuals
Individuals holding shares or other assets privately are not taxed on unrealised gains when they leave Italy. The exit tax in article 166 TUIR applies only to businesses (companies and sole traders carrying on a commercial business) that transfer residence or assets abroad.
Arriving in United Arab Emirates
Personal income: 0% · Company tax: 0–9%
Two- or ten-year residence visa linked to your company, a job or a property investment.
No minimum for the visa. For the tax residency certificate, 183 days, or 90 with a home and business there.
Company tax 0% up to AED 375,000 profit and 9% above. In free zones, 0% on qualifying income. The small business relief (turnover up to AED 3M) has been extended to 2029. High cost of living.
Living there
Steps to residency
- 3 weeksRegister a free zone or mainland company and get trade licence
- 1 weeksEstablishment card and entry permit
- 1 weeksMedical test and Emirates ID biometrics
- 1 weeksResidence visa stamped
About 6 weeks in total
Official websites: Tax authority · Immigration
Approximate figures that change often; check them before deciding.