You’re moving to Dubai
«I’m thinking of living or investing in Dubai.»
In Dubai we have an Altura office and our own team. Moving to Dubai is not the same as ceasing to be tax resident in Spain. For the move to work, your exit from Spain, your arrival in the Emirates and whatever stays behind all need to be resolved, in the right order.
What to decide first
- When you leave and how you will show that your life is in the Emirates: days, family, economic interests.
- Whether your shareholdings mean you owe tax on unrealised gains when you leave, and how that is handled.
- What you do with the property and investments that stay in Spain.
- Whether you need a company in the Emirates, what type and in which zone, and what real activity it will have.
- Which visa or residency applies to you, and to which members of your family.
How we work on it
The same team covers both sides. In Spain we prepare your exit and what stays behind. In Dubai, with our own team, we set up and maintain the company, process your residency and support you with bookkeeping and local obligations.
Mistakes we often see
- Leaving without planning the exit and remaining tax resident in Spain without knowing it.
- Setting up a company in the Emirates with no real activity behind it.
- Forgetting that the assets left in Spain are still taxed in Spain.
Frequently asked questions
Is spending more than six months in Dubai enough to stop paying tax in Spain?
Not always. The Spanish tax authorities also look at where your family and your economic interests are. It has to be prepared, and you have to be able to prove it.
Do I have to sell my property in Spain?
No. But it is still taxed in Spain on a non-resident basis, and you should decide whether to keep it in your name, hold it through a company or sell it.
