A foundation is a distinct legal entity, established by a founder to hold and manage assets for specific purposes, which can include wealth preservation, succession planning, philanthropy, or commercial activities. Unlike a trust, a foundation has its own separate legal personality, similar to a company, meaning it can own assets and enter into contracts in its own name.

The UAE has emerged as a leading jurisdiction for private wealth, offering sophisticated foundation frameworks in its premier international financial centres, most notably the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). These jurisdictions provide a modern and flexible legal environment that combines the best features of common-law trusts and civil-law foundations, making them an increasingly popular choice for international families and investors.

A UAE foundation offers a high degree of control for the founder, who can retain significant influence over the foundation's governance and asset management, often by sitting on its council. Zetland Fiduciary Group provides expert guidance on the design and administration of UAE foundations. We ensure that a foundation is established with clear, practical policies, meticulous documentation, and a robust operational structure that is ready for engagement with international banks and compliant with the highest standards of KYC and AML regulations, providing a credible and effective platform for wealth preservation.