Moving to Dubai: when entrepreneurial freedom becomes expensive 18.11.2025

When entrepreneurial freedom becomes expensive

More and more entrepreneurs and top performers are considering Dubai as a new center of life. There, they expect reliable framework conditions, low taxes and an economic climate that does not view performance with suspicion. However, those leaving Germany face a hurdle that many underestimate. The state treats the move as if the company had already been sold. On this basis, a tax is incurred even though no actual profit has been realized. The exit tax therefore affects precisely those people whose business models have long been operating internationally.

A planned departure therefore needs a clear structure. Company valuation, form of participation and domestic anchoring must be organized at an early stage. Some models transfer shares to operating units in good time, others use existing deferral arrangements or secure realistic values through expert opinions. The decisive factor is the preparation, not the departure date.

Relocating to Dubai is not a spontaneous drop-out project, but a strategic location decision. If you plan it professionally, you can take advantage of Dubai’s benefits and control the tax risks in Germany. Without a concept, on the other hand, the move remains an expensive illusion.