RAK ICC vs Malta: which jurisdiction wins?

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

	RAK ICC	Malta
Tax headline	0% on qualifying income	35% headline, ~5% effective via refund system
Formation days	5	7
First-year cost	$3,800	$4,500
Treaties	140+	70+
Substance	Lighter than DIFC/ADGM; substance for tax claims	EU substance requirements + DAC6
Banking	Onshore UAE bank intros possible with proper file	Bank of Valletta, APS, plus EU EMIs

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.