Moving guides

From Netherlands to United Arab Emirates

What changes in tax when you move from Netherlands to United Arab Emirates: what you pay today, what you would pay there and the rules Netherlands 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 Netherlands€42,025

In United Arab Emirates€0

Yearly difference+€42,025

Full guide: United Arab Emirates →

Leaving Netherlands

Facts and circumstances (article 4 AWR). There is no day count. Residence depends on durable personal ties (and to a lesser extent economic ties): where your home, family, work, registration, bank accounts and assets are, and how long you intend to stay.
Return within one year. If you leave and come back within one year without having lived in another country, you are treated as having stayed resident the whole time.

Rules that can follow you after leaving

Residence fiction on return within 1 year (article 2.2 Wet IB 2001). Leaving and returning within a year without living elsewhere keeps you resident. It does not apply if you prove you were taxed as resident in an EU/EEA state, Switzerland or a designated treaty state.
Dutch nationals stay in Dutch inheritance and gift tax for 10 years. Dutch nationals who lived in the Netherlands are treated as resident for inheritance and gift tax for 10 years after emigrating (1 year for gift tax for non-nationals).

Exit tax in Netherlands

Conservatory assessment (conserverende aanslag) on emigration

Substantial interest: you (with partner or close relatives) hold at least 5% of the shares, or a class of shares, of a company.
Also applies to Dutch pension rights and annuities where premiums were tax-deductible, and some home-related savings products.

On emigration the substantial interest shares are deemed sold; the gain is taxed in box 2 (24.5% up to EUR 68,843, 31% above in 2026) and a conservatory assessment is issued instead of immediate payment.

Exit tax → · Am I still resident? →

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.