DIFC family office cost.
The DIFC is the GCC's leading family-office hub, with a dedicated Family Arrangements regime (2023). A Single Family Office (SFO) typically combines a DIFC Foundation (succession + governance) with one or more Prescribed Companies (asset holding). Here is what it costs to build in 2026.
What you actually pay, line by line.
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| DIFC Foundation (apex governance) | USD 25,000 – 40,000 | Setup; USD 15,000–25,000/year |
| Prescribed Company per asset cluster | from USD 7,600 | Year 1 each; USD 4,250 thereafter |
| Family Office registration (Family Arrangements regime) | varies | Subject to SFO classification |
| Investable-asset threshold (SFO) | USD 10,000,000 | Typical qualifying threshold |
| ArxSetup structuring & coordination | from USD 15,000 | Multi-entity stack, succession memo |
| Indicative year-1 all-in (Foundation + 2 PCs) | USD 50,000 – 80,000 | Excludes private-bank onboarding |
Government fees are pass-through and may be revised by the regulator without notice. ArxSetup professional fees are fixed and quoted in writing before engagement. Figures current May 2026.
Reviewed by qualified counsel within ArxSetup and our affiliated practices, Neo Legal (UAE) and Cornwalls (Australia). Figures verified against primary regulator sources. Last reviewed: May 2026. Est. 2021 · DDA Licence 107229 · direct registry filing partner. How we review →
Common questions.
The questions clients ask most before committing. Current to 2026, reviewed by counsel.
What does it cost to set up a family office in DIFC?
A typical DIFC Single Family Office stack — a Foundation plus two Prescribed Companies — is USD 50,000–80,000 all-in for year one, with annual maintenance from USD 25,000. Cost scales with the number of asset-holding SPVs and the complexity of the succession terms.
What is the minimum to qualify as a DIFC Single Family Office?
Typically USD 10 million in investable assets to qualify under the DIFC Family Arrangements regime, though the precise threshold and governance requirements depend on the structure and licence category.
What structures make up a DIFC family office?
Usually a DIFC Foundation at the apex (succession + governance, no shareholders), holding one or more Prescribed Companies or SPVs that ring-fence each asset class — listed portfolio, real estate, private equity, operating stakes.
Can a DIFC family office hold global assets?
Yes — the Foundation and its SPVs can hold listed securities, real estate (UAE and overseas via the right vehicle), PE/VC fund interests, and operating-company stakes across jurisdictions. We map each asset to the appropriate holding layer.
DIFC vs ADGM for a family office?
DIFC has the deepest private-banking ecosystem and the largest GCC family-foundation cluster; ADGM offers a marginally cheaper SPV layer and the Ministerial Decision 261 of 2024 advantage. Many families run DIFC for the foundation and banking.