Expatriation Belgium - tax comparison
🇧🇪

Belgium

VS
Expatriation United Arab Emirates - tax comparison
🇦🇪

United Arab Emirates

Belgium vs United Arab Emirates

Complete comparison for your tax relocation

Data up to date as of January 15, 2025
Top income tax bracket
50%
🇧🇪 Belgium
vs
0%
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Monthly cost (single)
1 400 €
🇧🇪 Belgium
vs
2 200 €
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Safety
5/10
🇧🇪 Belgium
vs
9/10
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

Taxation

🇧🇪Belgium
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
Top income tax bracket50%0%
Corporate tax25%9%
Capital gains0%0%
VAT21%5%
Tax treaty with FranceYesYes
Special regimeStatut d'impatrié (RINS)Zones franches (Free Zones)
Wealth taxNoNo
Territorial taxationNoNo
🇧🇪

Statut d'impatrié (RINS)

Duration: 5 ans + prolongation possible de 3 ans (total 8 ans)

Depuis 2022, le Régime spécial d'Imposition des Nouveaux Résidents (RINS) remplace l'ancien statut d'impatrié. Il offre une exonération de 30 % de la rémunération brute (plafonnée à 90 000 EUR/an) pour les cadres et chercheurs recrutés à l'étranger.

🇦🇪

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 %.

Cost of living

🇧🇪Belgium
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
Monthly cost (single)1 400 €2 200 €
Monthly cost (couple)2 200 €3 500 €
City center rent1 000 €1 800 €
Outside city rent700 €1 200 €
Private health insurance0 €200 €
Public healthcareAccessiblePrivate only

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

🇧🇪 Belgium2 400 €/mo
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates4 000 €/mo

Belgium is approximately 1 600 € cheaper per month in total.

Quality of life

🇧🇪Belgium
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
Average temperature11°C28°C
Safety5/109/10
Health index76/10071/100
Internet130 Mbps200 Mbps
Timezone vs Paris+0h+3h
French-speaking communityLargeMedium
LanguagesFrançais, Néerlandais, AllemandArabe, Anglais
CurrencyEuro (EUR)Dirham (AED)
Corruption index73/10068/100
Democracy index7.64/102.9/10

Settling in

🇧🇪Belgium
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
Residence permit delay4 months1 months
Company creation4 days4 days
Bank accountEasyEasy
Political stability7.5/108.5/10
Ease of business46th worldwide16th worldwide

Summary

🇧🇪

Belgium

  • Top IT: 50% | Corp. tax: 25%
  • Cost of living: 1 400 €/mo
  • Safety: 5/10 | Health: 76/100
  • Regime: Statut d'impatrié (RINS) (5 ans + prolongation possible de 3 ans (total 8 ans))
View full profile Belgium
🇦🇪

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

Comparative analysis: Belgium vs United Arab Emirates

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 50% in Belgique. Corporate tax stands at 9% versus 25%.

Which country is cheaper to live in?

The cost of living is lower in Belgique. A single person spends about 1 400 EUR/month excluding rent, compared to 2 200 EUR/month in Émirats arabes unis. City center rent averages 1 000 EUR versus 1 800 EUR.

Which country is safer?

Émirats arabes unis scores higher on safety (9/10 versus 5/10). In terms of healthcare, Belgique leads with an index of 76/100 compared to 71/100 for Émirats arabes unis.

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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.