Expatriation & Relocation (Full Concierge)

Clear legal support for expatriation & relocation in the UAE, helping you protect your rights, family, assets and future.

Expatriation & Relocation Services

We manage every dimension of your move to the UAE: visa, French tax residency exit, local banking, lease review, UAE Will and employment contract review – coordinated by one bilingual legal team.

In-depth description

Our premier Expatriation & Relocation Service is a comprehensive, single-point-of-contact solution designed to manage every aspect of your international move.

  • Whether you are an individual, family, or corporate client moving to or from the UAE, we offer a fully customizable suite of services covering every detail: from securing the ideal residential property and coordinating logistics for your belongings, to managing all immigration procedures (visas, Emirates IDs), and facilitating school selection, banking, and medical insurance.
  • Our multidisciplinary team of in-house lawyers, tax consultants, and real estate experts, complemented by a network of trusted partners, eliminates the administrative burden.
  • Our aim is to ensure your transition is seamless, professional, and allows you to focus on your new beginning with complete peace of mind.

Scope of work

  • Conduct a comprehensive kickoff meeting to map out the client’s entire relocation plan and timeline.
  • Provide a comparative study and assistance on key decisions: real estate (rent vs. buy), schooling, and banking.
  • Manage all administrative and immigration processes (visas, Emirates ID, driving license transfer).
  • Coordinate with our network of vetted partners for logistics, insurance, and other necessary services.
  • Provide a full review of the client’s tax situation in both their home and new country.

Price range

AED 15,000 onward (Hourly rate)

Deliverables

  • A customized relocation master plan and timeline.
  • Full management of all visa and administrative processes.
  • Coordinated delivery of all required third-party services.
  • A comprehensive tax advisory report.

Is your UAE move as smooth and stress-free as it should be?

Are you relocating to or from the UAE this year?

International moves involve visas, tax, real estate, schooling, and admin all at once. We coordinate every element.

Do you need help finding housing, schools, or banking?

We provide comparative advice and trusted partner introductions so you can focus on your new life, not on paperwork.

Are you unsure of the tax implications of your move?

Relocation triggers tax obligations in both your home country and the UAE. We map them before you move, not after.

Are you leaving the UAE and need to close everything down?

Visa cancellations, lease terminations, bank closures, and DEWA settlements all need managing. We handle the lot.

Frequently asked questions

Priority steps include obtaining the right visa category, formally establishing UAE tax residency, understanding the employment law applicable to your contract, registering any property or vehicle, and reviewing estate planning to ensure your Will and structures align with your new residence.
Yes. Simply leaving France is not enough. You must satisfy the French tax authority that your fiscal domicile has genuinely transferred. This requires demonstrating that your professional activity, family centre of life and economic interests are no longer in France. Documentation is essential.
 
French banks are required to comply with anti-money-laundering rules for non-residents, and some close accounts. Many clients keep a French account for ongoing local expenses and obligations. However, some products (savings plans, certain investment accounts) must be transferred or closed on departure.
French state pension rights already accrued are preserved. Whether you can continue contributing voluntarily while abroad depends on your status and the relevant social security conventions. Some French expats contribute to the Caisse des Français de l’Étranger (CFE) to maintain coverage continuity.

Establishing genuine UAE tax residency can eliminate your French tax liability on future income and gains. However, France retains the right to tax certain income with French source, such as French property rental, business income and capital gains on French real estate, even after departure.

Key contacts:

Romain Astruc

Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation

Géraldine Heimburger

Partner – Family Law, Notarial & Litigation

David Dutruc-Rosset

Associate – Family, Individuals & Litigation

Get in touch

Other services you might need

A smooth relocation to the UAE involves the right visa, a clean tax break from your home country and a proper local legal foundation.

Immigration & Visa Services - incl. Golden Visa

The right visa category shapes your residency, tax status and family situation. We identify and secure the best option.
Learn more

Tax Situation Review & Departure Planning

Relocating without properly breaking French tax residency can create years of dual liability. We prevent this.
Learn more

UAE Wills - DIFC, ADGM & Dubai Court Wills

Your first legal step on arrival should include registering a UAE Will to protect assets and name guardians.
Learn more

WHAT SET US APART

Why ASTRUC & Co

A legally clean relocation requires the right visa, a properly broken tax residency and a solid legal foundation in your new home.

1.

French-UAE fluency

We are one of the few UAE firms handling French tax residency exits alongside UAE arrival. French nationals relocating to Dubai get complete, coordinated advice from one

2.

Senior counsel only

Relocation involves consequential decisions on tax, residency and family law. Senior lawyers manage every step – so nothing is missed and no advice is given without the full

3.

End-to-end coverage

We handle visa, tax residency break, UAE Will, property advice and employment contract review in one engagement. You relocate with full legal clarity – not a checklist left

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?

Talk to our team about your situation. We’ll walk you through your options and help you move forward with clarity.

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Merger and Acquisition
  • Set-up of the Workstreams related to the Transaction
  • Legal Due Diligence
  • Tax Due Diligence
  • Negotiating and Drafting the SPA
  • Assistance related to Conditions Precedents
  • Registration of the Transaction with the Authorities
Private Equity
  • Advisory on PE life cycle from Fund Formation, Capital Deployment, M&A, etc.
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Banking &Finance
  • Banking loan documentation negotiation and review including requested securities
  • Account opening requirements and forms
  • Compliance controls upon onboarding as a bank customer and regular updates to allow flawless funds repatriation
  • Escalation if needed with banking authorities and preparing file for litigation
  • Arabic speaker for immediate translation or intermediation with third parties including local authorities.
Commercial
  • Commercial Agency – Contract Drafting and Litigation
  • Rent-Sales Contract – Contract Drafting, Contract Management and Litigation
  • Logistic Services Contract
  • IT Services Contract
  • Intermediary Contract
  • Other Services Contract
Construction
  • FIDIC Short Form of Contract
  • FIDIC Larger or more complex projects (the Construction Contract)
  • FIDIC Contractor doing the Design (Plant and Design-Build Contract)
  • FIDIC EPC/Turnkey Contract
  • Review of Ad Hoc Contracts
  • Assistance for Management of the Contract
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Employment Relationship
  • Assistance during Recruitment Phase with Executive Search Agents or Recruitment Agency
  • Drafting Offer Letter and Employment Contract
  • Drafting Disciplinary Policy and Documentation
  • Registration of Company with Labour Authorities
  • Registration of Employee with Labour Authorities
  • Assistance During Disciplinary Proceedings
  • Termination Strategy and Execution
  • Litigation Services
HR Strategy – Advisory Services
  • Labour Market Analysis
  • Labour Legislation Memo and Manual
  • Analysis of Remuneration Trends, Structures and Composition
  • Labour Taxation
  • Industry Practice reg. bonus, schedule, overtime, leave, length of service, etc.
Business Set-Up and Maintenance
  • Comparative Study on Options Available
  • Legal Memorandum on Corporate and Tax Laws
  • Set-Up Services (Company, Immigration, Labour, Banking, Tax)
  • Nominee Services (Regulated Activity)
  • Shareholders Agreements
  • Board of Directors Structuring
  • Dissolution, Liquidation, Bankruptcy Proceedings
  • Litigation/Arbitration (Manager or Shareholders Dispute)
  • Redomiciliation
Joint Venture and Investors Relationship
  • Set-up of Joint Venture Company
  • Drafting Joint Venture Agreement
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Expatriation Services
  • Employment Package and Contract Review
  • Wealth Management Advisory
  • Tenancy Opportunities and Contract Advisory
  • Medical Insurance Advisory
  • Banking Advisory
  • School Advisory
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
Relocation
  • Resignation Strategy
  • Tax Situation Review
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
  • Administration of the Departure and Legal Representation
Advisory
  • Advisory Services on the Developer (reliability check)
  • Review of Contract with Developer
  • Conveyance of Property and Supervision of the Sales Process
  • Legal Representation for the Purchase/Sales
  • Assistance with Engineers and Contractors
  • Assistance with tenants or holidays home management firm
Litigation
  • Cancellation of Contract
  • Cancellation of Project
  • Disputes regarding Lands
  • Disputes regarding Permits and Licenses
  • Dispute with Engineer or Contractor
Civil Status
  • Amendment of Civil Status (divorced/married) in Home Country
  • Change of Name
  • Transcription of Marriage or Divorce
  • Legalisation Services with Consulate and Embassies
Nationality and Immigration
  • Application for Nationality due to family reasons
  • Coordination Services for Obtaining Nationality based on Investment (more than 40 countries)
  • Immigration Services to Schengen Country (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to GCC countries (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Golden Visa, Nationality)
Succession Planning
  • Overall Estate Planning with Financial and Legal Experts
  • Set-up of Shariah Compliant Foundation or Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Trust (DIFC, UAE, ADGM, Foreign based)
  • Set-up of Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Last Wills in the UAE, Qatar, KSA and various territories, as needed
  • Family Counseling - Mediation of dispute between family members
Inheritance Proceedings
  • In any country where there are assets
  • Court proceedings based on Shariah Law
  • Court proceedings based on Deceased Law
  • Court Proceedings based on Last Will
Crime against the Person and Narcotics
  • Assault, Sexual Abuse, Murder
  • Kidnapping
  • Household Theft
  • Threat, Insult, Defamation, Harassment
  • Social Media Crimes
  • IT Crimes
  • Stealing or Misappropriation of Personal Data
  • Narcotics
Business Crimes
  • AML issues
  • Cryptocurrency and other Investment related Scams
  • Breach of Trust
  • Deception and Fraud
  • Theft of business secrets
  • Insolvency related Crimes
  • Accounting Crimes
  • Interpol
Marriages
  • Marriage between French nationals
  • Marriage involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Marriage involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Marriage involving two persons of different nationality
  • Marriage involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws
Divorces
  • Divorce between French nationals
  • Divorce involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Divorce involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Divorce involving two persons of different nationality
  • Divorce involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws