DIFC (Dubai) vs Cyprus: which jurisdiction wins?

DIFC (Dubai) vs Cyprus — both credible, very different trade-offs. Below: side-by-side on the variables that actually move the decision.

	DIFC (Dubai)	Cyprus
Tax headline	0% on qualifying income (9% otherwise)	12.5% corporate, NID brings effective lower
Formation days	14	7
First-year cost	$12,000	$3,500
Treaties	140+	65+
Substance	Mandatory office, directors, employees in DIFC	Substance for treaty access
Banking	DIFC-licensed banks and prime brokers	Bank of Cyprus, Hellenic, plus EMIs

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