How to Invest in a Company in the UAE from Australia

Thinking about expanding your portfolio beyond Australia’s shores? For many investors, learning how to invest in a company in UAE – and especially Dubai – is the next logical step. With a zero-to-low tax landscape, fast-growing sectors from fintech to logistics, and liberalised foreign-ownership rules, the UAE has become a magnet for capital. This guide breaks down everything Australian investors need to know, from the business case through to regulatory fine print, and shows how the team at Dubai Invest can streamline every step.

Note: This guide is for Australians who want to invest in or acquire equity in an existing UAE company.
If you are planning to start a new business in Dubai from Australia, see our complete company setup guide.

Why Australians Are Eyeing UAE Companies

1. Strong macro fundamentals: According to the UAE Central Bank, real GDP is forecast to grow 5.7 percent in 2025, outpacing most OECD economies.
2. Business-friendly tax regime: 0 percent personal income tax and a 0–9 percent corporate tax band keep profit retention high.
3. Sector diversification: Tech, renewable energy, health care, tourism and real estate services all post double-digit growth.
4. AUD–AED hedge: Because the dirham is pegged to the US dollar, investing in Dubai companies can reduce an AUD-heavy portfolio’s currency risk.

Jomon, our lead consultant, spent 12 years scaling and exiting two Dubai ventures – a logistics startup and a mid-sized F&B chain. His first-hand experience navigating licensing, banking and exits is the cornerstone of Dubai Invest’s playbook.

What Kinds of UAE Companies Can You Invest In?

1. Early-Stage Start-ups

The UAE’s Innovation Hub framework and a deep VC pool (USD 3 billion deployed in 2024) make angel or seed rounds attractive. Popular verticals include SaaS, AI, Web3 and climate tech. Shareholders usually enter through a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) or a convertible note in a free-zone entity.

2. Growth-Stage Corporates

Mid-market firms in logistics, education and health are raising Series B or pre-IPO rounds. Many already hold Government or Expo-related contracts, providing predictable cashflow. Entry tickets typically start from AUD 500,000.

3. Real-Estate Platforms

Instead of buying property directly, some investors buy equity in development or property-management companies. This provides exposure to Dubai’s booming real-estate sector without hands-on landlord duties.

Step-by-Step: How to Invest in a Company in UAE

Pro Tips from Jomon

• Negotiate earn-out clauses tied to EBITDA to protect against profit overstatements.
• Use a DIFC-based SPV when multiple Australian investors pool funds; it simplifies later exits and dividends.
• Build a conservative FX buffer (5 percent) when wiring funds, as banks sometimes mark up AED conversions.

Legal and Regulatory Checklist for Foreign Shareholders

1. Company Law – Federal Decree-Law 32 of 2021 sets out shareholder rights and minimum capital.
2. Corporate Tax – 0 percent on qualifying free-zone income; 9 percent above AED 375,000 otherwise.
3. Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Disclosure – Cabinet Resolution (58/2020) requires updated UBO registers.
4. Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) – Applies to holding companies that earn passive income.
5. Australian CFC Rules – Investments of 40 percent or more can trigger controlled foreign company reporting to the ATO.

Keeping track can overwhelm first-time investors, which is why most clients lean on Dubai Invest’s legal coordination desk.

How Dubai Invest Makes Your Life Easier

• Deal curation: We filter 60+ prospects monthly and shortlist only those passing financial and legal stress tests.
• On-ground validation: Our bilingual analysts run site visits, founder interviews and government-record pulls so you don’t have to fly in for every meeting.
• End-to-end paperwork: From MoFAIC attestation of your Australian documents to real-time share transfer updates, we manage it all.
• Exit-ready structuring: Jomon’s personal exit stories inform every cap-table clause we draft, ensuring you can divest smoothly.

Already have a target company in mind? Book a 30-minute strategy call and we’ll map the fastest route from term-sheet to share certificate.

Ready to Invest Smarter?

The UAE market is sophisticated, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Contact Dubai Invest today and tap Jomon’s decade of Dubai boardroom know-how to turn opportunity into lasting returns.