← Company Formations
Bermuda vs DIFC (Dubai): which jurisdiction wins?
Bermuda vs DIFC (Dubai) — both credible, very different trade-offs. Below: side-by-side on the variables that actually move the decision.
| Bermuda | DIFC (Dubai) | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax headline | 0% (15% CIT for in-scope MNEs from 2025) | 0% on qualifying income (9% otherwise) |
| Formation days | 7 | 14 |
| First-year cost | $6,500 | $12,000 |
| Treaties | Limited | 140+ |
| Substance | Economic Substance Act 2018 | Mandatory office, directors, employees in DIFC |
| Banking | Butterfield, HSBC Bermuda, Clarien | DIFC-licensed banks and prime brokers |
Talk to a partner before you incorporate.
Wrong jurisdiction, wrong substance, or wrong bank shortlist is a 12-month problem. A 30-minute briefing fixes 80% of it.
Request a briefing