Five jurisdictions — judged on banking access first
Five jurisdictions, one decision that decides the rest: can you actually open the account? We compare them banking-first — on tax, on access, and on how fast you're operational.
Five jurisdictions, side by side
| UAE | Singapore | Portugal | Switzerland | Malta | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal income tax | 0% | up to 24% | up to 48% | up to ~40% | up to 35% |
| Banking access (incoming HNWI) | Hard but solvable | Selective | Moderate | Relationship-led | Moderate |
| Residency cost / threshold | Golden Visa investment tiers | High (GIP) | Post-NHR, reduced | Lump-sum tax deal | Contribution + property |
| Typical timeline | Weeks once banked | Months | Months | Months | Months |
| Exit-tax exposure (origin-dependent) | Origin-dependent | Origin-dependent | Origin-dependent | Origin-dependent | Origin-dependent |
Exit-tax exposure depends entirely on your country of origin — we map yours on the pre-screen.
The UAE in depth
Zero personal income tax, a 9% corporate rate above AED 375K, and Golden Visa routes from AED 2M. The hard part is the bank — and that's exactly where we start. See the full breakdown: tax, residency, banking and timeline.
The UAE in depthUAE versus the alternatives
Singapore suits founders prioritizing Asian market access and a mature funds ecosystem.
ComparePortugal suits those wanting EU residency and lifestyle, post-NHR reductions accepted.
CompareSwitzerland suits ultra-relationship-led private banking and lump-sum taxation deals.
CompareMalta suits those wanting an English-speaking EU base with a contribution-plus-property residency route.
CompareNot sure where you stand?
Request a 15-minute pre-screen with a named expert. You'll get a realistic Banking Roadmap — no obligation.
No pitch. If we can't take your case, we'll tell you.
Olga Zueva · Company, Banking & Visas