Switzerland (Zug) or United Arab Emirates: where should you start a business?
The United Arab Emirates ranks higher in the index, 01 against 06. Which suits you depends on where the owners live, what the company is for and how it will be run.
Pillar by pillar
Doing business, side by side
Tax
The combined 2026 corporate tax rate for Zug is 11.71%. Cantonal rates range from 11.66% in Lucerne to 20.54% in Bern, and VAT is charged at 8.1%.
Profits up to AED 375,000 are taxed at 0%. In a free zone the 0% rate reaches qualifying income only, and VAT is charged at 5%.
Set-up
Zug registrations averaged under one working day in the first half of 2026, after the notarised deed. The register fee is CHF 420, plus the notary.
Set-up typically costs AED 10,000 to 50,000 in total, depending on mainland or free zone, the activity and any licences. Capital must be fully paid at incorporation.
On the ground
At least one authorised representative must be domiciled in Switzerland. A GmbH needs CHF 20,000 of capital, an AG CHF 100,000, and there is no annual fee.
A mainland company needs no resident director or secretary, but it must appoint an auditor. Free zone requirements vary from one zone to another.
Ownership
The transparency register is not public. It is open to authorities, financial intermediaries and advisers, and began operating on 1 October 2026.
The beneficial ownership register is open to the authorities only. Each company must name a UAE-resident individual as the contact for its register.
Residence
Permits for non-EU nationals are discretionary and subject to quotas. EU and EFTA nationals can obtain a permit for genuine self-employment.
An investor or partner can hold a five-year green residence visa on the trade licence. A ten-year golden visa needs capital or a partner's share of AED 2 million.
Living and working
Currency
Swiss franc.
UAE dirham, pegged to the US dollar.
Time zone
UTC+1, or UTC+2 in summer.
UTC+4.
Personal tax
Federal tax reaches 11.5% from CHF 794,000 (single, 2026); the Zug base tariff tops out at 8%. Wealth and inheritance taxes apply.
The UAE does not levy income tax on individuals.
Flights
Zurich Airport had direct flights to 213 cities in 75 countries in 2025, with just under 32.6 million passengers.
Dubai International served 217 destinations in 99 countries at the end of H1 2026; London is 6 hrs 50 mins by British Airways.
Language
Arabic is the official language; English is allowed in some Dubai Courts circuits, and the DIFC Courts sit in English.
Switzerland (Zug) vs United Arab Emirates: common questions
Switzerland (Zug): The combined 2026 corporate tax rate for Zug is 11.71%. Cantonal rates range from 11.66% in Lucerne to 20.54% in Bern, and VAT is charged at 8.1%. The United Arab Emirates: Profits up to AED 375,000 are taxed at 0%. In a free zone the 0% rate reaches qualifying income only, and VAT is charged at 5%.
Switzerland (Zug): Zug registrations averaged under one working day in the first half of 2026, after the notarised deed. The register fee is CHF 420, plus the notary. The United Arab Emirates: Set-up typically costs AED 10,000 to 50,000 in total, depending on mainland or free zone, the activity and any licences. Capital must be fully paid at incorporation.
Switzerland (Zug): At least one authorised representative must be domiciled in Switzerland. A GmbH needs CHF 20,000 of capital, an AG CHF 100,000, and there is no annual fee. The United Arab Emirates: A mainland company needs no resident director or secretary, but it must appoint an auditor. Free zone requirements vary from one zone to another.
Switzerland (Zug): The transparency register is not public. It is open to authorities, financial intermediaries and advisers, and began operating on 1 October 2026. The United Arab Emirates: The beneficial ownership register is open to the authorities only. Each company must name a UAE-resident individual as the contact for its register.
Switzerland (Zug): Permits for non-EU nationals are discretionary and subject to quotas. EU and EFTA nationals can obtain a permit for genuine self-employment. The United Arab Emirates: An investor or partner can hold a five-year green residence visa on the trade licence. A ten-year golden visa needs capital or a partner's share of AED 2 million.
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