Netherlands vs RAK ICC: which jurisdiction wins?

Netherlands vs RAK ICC — both credible, very different trade-offs. Below: side-by-side on the variables that actually move the decision.

	Netherlands	RAK ICC
Tax headline	25.8% corporate; participation exemption for holdings	0% on qualifying income
Formation days	5	5
First-year cost	$6,500	$3,800
Treaties	95+	140+
Substance	Substance decree — mandatory directors, payroll, office	Lighter than DIFC/ADGM; substance for tax claims
Banking	ING, Rabobank, ABN AMRO	Onshore UAE bank intros possible with proper file

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.