Investment Advice & Structuring

Strategic legal and financial advisory for enterprises investing and structuring capital in the UAE and across international markets.

Investment Advice & Structuring

We design efficient investment strategies, structuring equity, debt, or hybrid models to maximise returns, manage risks, and ensure compliance.

In-depth description

Investment advice and structuring services provide enterprises and multinationals with expert guidance on structuring and optimising investments in the UAE and internationally.

We help design efficient investment strategies, ensuring that deals align with clients’ financial goals and risk profiles. Our team advises on the best structures for transactions — including equity, debt, and hybrid models — while ensuring compliance with relevant UAE and international legal and regulatory frameworks.

We aim to maximise returns and minimise risks by creating tailored, tax-efficient structures that enhance value throughout the investment lifecycle. For enterprises deploying capital into or through the UAE, this means navigating DIFC and ADGM fund vehicles, mainland holding structures, SPV arrangements, and the interaction with UAE corporate tax, French exit taxes and transfer pricing rules.

Investment structure design: equity, debt and hybrid models assessed against financial objectives, tax implications and exit requirements.
Jurisdiction selection: DIFC, ADGM and mainland structures evaluated against regulatory profile, investor requirements and tax efficiency.
Legal and regulatory compliance: full compliance with relevant UAE frameworks (SCA, DFSA, FSRA, CBUAE) and international obligations.
Structuring memoranda: formal Investment Structure Memoranda produced to the standard required by institutional investors and co-investors.

Scope of work

Provide strategic advice on the most efficient legal and tax structures for private equity investments.
Design the optimal transaction structure (equity, debt, hybrid models) to align with financial goals and risk appetite.
Ensure the proposed structure is fully compliant with all relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.

Price range

AED 25,000 – AED 250,000
Cumulative assessment – billed Hourly.

Primary Determinants of Pricing
Complexity of buyout strategy, amount expected, existing contract, number of parties, investment amount, investor contribution type, management structure, place of registration, loan agreement etc.

Deliverables

A formal Investment Structure Memorandum detailing the recommended approach, its legal basis, and tax implications.

Is your investment structure as efficient as it could be?

Are you structuring a private equity or investment deal?

The right legal and tax structure for an investment can materially affect returns. We design it from the outset.

Do you need to choose between equity, debt, or hybrid?

Each financing model carries different legal, tax, and governance implications. We advise on the optimal structure for your goals.

Are you unsure which UAE jurisdiction suits your vehicle?

DIFC, ADGM, and mainland entities have very different regulatory and tax profiles. The choice has long-term consequences.

Are investors asking for structured legal opinions on your deal?

Investment mandates often require formal legal structuring memoranda. We produce them with the rigour institutions expect.

Frequently asked questions

What investment structures are commonly used in the UAE?

Common structures include: direct investment through a UAE LLC or free zone entity, DIFC-domiciled funds or investment vehicles, holding companies with SPV subsidiaries for specific assets, and joint ventures with local or international partners. Structure choice affects tax, regulatory licensing, investor reporting and exit flexibility.

Can a foreigner invest in UAE real estate or financial markets?

Yes. Foreigners can invest in UAE freehold property in designated zones, listed and unlisted securities, and businesses across most sectors. Financial services activities require licensing from the relevant regulator (CBUAE, SCA, DFSA, FSRA). Real estate investment in designated areas is straightforward for foreign nationals.

What regulatory licences are needed for financial investment activities?

Managing third-party funds, providing investment advice and dealing in securities all require authorisation from the relevant UAE regulator: the SCA for onshore activities, the DFSA for DIFC, or the FSRA for ADGM. Operating without a licence is a serious offence. The licensing process takes six to twelve months.

How are investment returns taxed in the UAE?

There is no personal income tax or capital gains tax in the UAE on individual investment returns. Corporate entities pay 9% corporate tax on business profits above AED 375,000, though qualifying dividends may benefit from the participation exemption. The UAE’s tax treaty network limits withholding tax on returns from many foreign investments.

Can I use a UAE company to hold investments in other countries?

Yes. UAE entities are commonly used as international holding vehicles, benefiting from treaty access and no withholding tax on distributions in most cases. Since 2023, UAE entities must meet economic substance and corporate tax requirements. A properly structured UAE holding company remains highly effective for international investment.

Key contacts:

Romain Astruc

Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation

Anthony Raftopol

Partner – Corporate, Investment Funds & M&A

Gabriel Elmarzouki

Associate – Corporate, Commercial & Litigation

Other services you might need

Investment structuring connects directly to regulatory licensing, tax efficiency and the legal framework around your capital deployment.

Bank Account Opening Assistance in the UAE

Account access is essential before any investment can be deployed. We prepare your full KYC file and secure UAE bank approval.

Learn more

Accounting, Auditing & Tax - UAE Corporate Compliance

Every investment structure has tax implications. We align your structure with your tax strategy from the outset.

Learn more

Regulatory Compliance for UAE Businesses

Investment activities in the UAE require specific regulatory authorisations. We identify and obtain the licences you need.

Learn more

WHAT SET US APART

Why ASTRUC & Co

Investment structuring requires legal, regulatory and tax expertise aligned from day one. We deliver all three in-house.

1.

Deal-led approach

We structure investments around your commercial objectives, risk parameters and exit horizon – not around what is easiest to document. Every structure is designed to perform.

2.

Cross-border fluency

UAE investment structures interact with French, European and international regulatory frameworks. We manage the full cross-border picture – without outsourcing the complexity.

3.

Senior counsel only

Investment structuring decisions are consequential and often hard to reverse. Senior lawyers lead every engagement – with direct expertise in DIFC, ADGM and fund formation.

More than legal counsel

With you, all the way

Life in the UAE brings extraordinary opportunities — and equally complex legal realities. Whether you’re relocating your family, navigating a divorce across jurisdictions, or structuring an inheritance that spans continents, you deserve a legal partner who understands both the technicalities and the human side of what you’re going through. At ASTRUC & Co, we treat every client’s situation as if it were our own.

From our offices in Dubai to our network spanning Riyadh, Paris, and Luxembourg, we bring senior-level attention to every matter — personal or financial. We believe the best legal advice is honest, clear, and delivered by someone who genuinely cares about the outcome. That’s why our clients stay with us, and why they come back when life presents its next chapter.

Ready to move forward?

Book a consultation with our team to discuss your situation and explore the right legal and strategic approach for your business.

Investment Advice & Structuring