Moving to Dubai from Greece

Greek shipping, trading and technology families have long-standing links with Dubai. Greece has a tax treaty with the UAE, so the essentials are a clean change of residence and a UAE structure with genuine substance.

At a glance

• Tax treaty: Greece and the UAE have a double tax agreement.
• Residence: Greece looks at your permanent or main residence, your habitual abode and the centre of your vital interests, and counts days spent in Greece.
• Proof: Greek tax authorities expect evidence of your new residence, and a UAE tax residency certificate supports it.
• Greek assets: income from Greek property and other Greek sources stays taxable in Greece.

Leaving Greece

Notify the Greek tax authority of your change of residence, update your tax registration and keep evidence of your life in the UAE. A family home left in Greece or a Greek business you still run day to day can keep you resident.

Structures and companies

Greek clients often hold trading or investment activities through companies. A UAE holding or trading company can work well, but it must be managed from the UAE, with real people and decisions there.

How Imperial Group helps

• A review of your residence position before you move, so you know when your home-country tax exposure actually ends
• The right UAE structure for your business: free zone, mainland or a holding company, with real substance
• Company setup, visas, Emirates ID and bank account opening support
• UAE tax residency certificate, corporate tax and VAT registrations from day one
• Ongoing accounting, tax filings and a single point of contact for everything in the UAE

Sources

• UAE double tax agreement network overview
• AADE, Greek tax authority

This page gives general information as at the date shown and is not advice for your specific situation. Rules in other countries are summarised for orientation; your home-country position should be confirmed before you act.