Expatriation United Arab Emirates - tax comparison
🇦🇪

United Arab Emirates

VS
Expatriation Hong Kong - tax comparison
🇭🇰

Hong Kong

United Arab Emirates vs Hong Kong

Complete comparison for your tax relocation

Data up to date as of January 15, 2025
Top income tax bracket
0%
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
vs
17%
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
Monthly cost (single)
2 200 €
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
vs
2 000 €
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
Safety
9/10
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
vs
8/10
🇭🇰 Hong Kong

Taxation

🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
🇭🇰Hong Kong
Top income tax bracket0%17%
Corporate tax9%16.5%
Capital gains0%0%
VAT5%0%
Tax treaty with FranceYesYes
Special regimeZones franches (Free Zones)Taxation territoriale stricte
Wealth taxNoNo
Territorial taxationNoYes
🇦🇪

Zones franches (Free Zones)

Duration: Illimitée (0 % impot sur le revenu des personnes physiques)

Les Émirats n'imposent aucun impot sur le revenu des personnes physiques. Les Free Zones offrent en plus une exonération d'impot sur les sociétés pour les entreprises qualifiées, ainsi qu'une propriété étrangere à 100 %.

🇭🇰

Taxation territoriale stricte

Duration: Permanente (systeme par défaut)

Hong Kong ne taxe que les revenus de source hongkongaise. Les revenus de source étrangere, dividendes, intérets et plus-values sont totalement exonérés. Il n'y a ni TVA, ni impot sur les plus-values, ni impot sur les successions.

Cost of living

🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
🇭🇰Hong Kong
Monthly cost (single)2 200 €2 000 €
Monthly cost (couple)3 500 €3 200 €
City center rent1 800 €2 200 €
Outside city rent1 200 €1 400 €
Private health insurance200 €180 €
Public healthcarePrivate onlyAccessible

Estimated total monthly budget (single, with city center rent)

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates4 000 €/mo
🇭🇰 Hong Kong4 200 €/mo

United Arab Emirates is approximately 200 € cheaper per month in total.

Quality of life

🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
🇭🇰Hong Kong
Average temperature28°C23°C
Safety9/108/10
Health index71/10067/100
Internet200 Mbps280 Mbps
Timezone vs Paris+3h+7h
French-speaking communityMediumSmall
LanguagesArabe, AnglaisCantonais, Anglais, Mandarin
CurrencyDirham (AED)Dollar de Hong Kong (HKD)
Corruption index68/10075/100
Democracy index2.9/105.28/10

Settling in

🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
🇭🇰Hong Kong
Residence permit delay1 months2 months
Company creation4 days3 days
Bank accountEasyEasy
Political stability8.5/107/10
Ease of business16th worldwide3th worldwide

Summary

🇦🇪

United Arab Emirates

  • Top IT: 0% | Corp. tax: 9%
  • Cost of living: 2 200 €/mo
  • Safety: 9/10 | Health: 71/100
  • Regime: Zones franches (Free Zones) (Illimitée (0 % impot sur le revenu des personnes physiques))
View full profile United Arab Emirates
🇭🇰

Hong Kong

  • Top IT: 17% | Corp. tax: 16.5%
  • Cost of living: 2 000 €/mo
  • Safety: 8/10 | Health: 67/100
  • Regime: Taxation territoriale stricte (Permanente (systeme par défaut))
View full profile Hong Kong

Comparative analysis: United Arab Emirates vs Hong Kong

Which country has lower taxes?

In terms of taxation, Émirats arabes unis is generally more advantageous. The top marginal income tax rate is 0% compared to 17% in Hong Kong. Corporate tax stands at 9% versus 16.5%.

Which country is cheaper to live in?

The cost of living is lower in Hong Kong. A single person spends about 2 000 EUR/month excluding rent, compared to 2 200 EUR/month in Émirats arabes unis. City center rent averages 2 200 EUR versus 1 800 EUR.

Which country is safer?

Émirats arabes unis scores higher on safety (9/10 versus 8/10). In terms of healthcare, Émirats arabes unis leads with an index of 71/100 compared to 67/100 for Hong Kong.

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Disclaimer

The tax information presented is based on estimates from public sources (PwC, OECD, government sources). It does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax rules change regularly and your personal situation may significantly affect the calculation. Consult a qualified professional before making any relocation decision.