an international team of experts with a proven track record of successful projects in tax and legal matters
ALPINE Group’s expertise in the UAE is confirmed by a DIFC commercial license (CL8981), which allows us to provide services in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) directly, without intermediaries. The company is registered with the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) as a DNFBP and is supervised by it for AML purposes.
ALPINE Private is itself a registered agent in the DIFC. Client and foundation information is not shared with other intermediaries and is disclosed only where required by law.
ALPINE Private is itself a registered agent in the DIFC. Client and foundation information is not shared with other intermediaries and is disclosed only where required by law.
ALPINE PRIVATE CORPORATE SERVICE PROVIDERS.
DIFC registration number: 8981
Your direct partner in the DIFC, UAE
DIFC registration number: 8981
Your direct partner in the DIFC, UAE
What is a Private Foundation?
A Foundation is not intended to avoid legitimate creditor claims: the source of funds is verified when the Foundation is established.
A Foundation is a legal entity established for the purpose of:
- preserving and accumulating the Founder’s capital
- using and distributing the Founder’s capital in accordance with the rules established by the Founder
Why Do You Need a Private Foundation?
- Asset Protection
- Assets are held by the Foundation, not in the Founder’s personal accounts
- Assets are segregated from the Founder’s personal property and managed by the Foundation Council under the Charter
- Clear ownership structure and continuous control over asset preservation
- Ownership confidentiality: beneficiary information is not published in a public register
- Controlled Inheritance
- Freedom to choose heirs
- No asset freeze
- Governed by DIFC law, regardless of the inheritance laws of other countries
- Gradual asset transfers possible, contingent on heirs meeting certain conditions
- Tax Efficiency
- No income tax on the Foundation’s earnings until distributions are made to beneficiaries (under specific Foundation structures)
- More favorable tax treatment compared to personal asset ownership
- Business Continuity
- Pre-established corporate governance
- The death of the Founder or a beneficiary does not affect management
- Flexible involvement of the Founder in operations
- International Investments
- The Foundation invests in international markets under DIFC law
- Tax and currency rules of the Founder’s and beneficiaries’ countries of residence continue to apply and should be reviewed with local advisors
Controlled Inheritance of Assets Through a Private Foundation in the UAE
- Assets held in the Foundation are not part of the Founder’s estate
- No asset freeze during the inheritance process; no need for complex administrative procedures across different jurisdictions
- Assets are distributed according to rules set by the Founder in the Foundation’s documents
- No restrictions on asset use when inherited by minor children
- May reduce inheritance tax, subject to the laws of the relevant countries
- Reduces the risk of lengthy inheritance disputes
- The procedure and timing of asset distribution are set by the Founder in the Foundation’s documents
- Gradual transfer of assets to heirs is possible
- Transfer can be conditional (e.g., upon receiving education, gaining proven investment experience, etc.)
- Protection of heirs through the Foundation’s coverage of essential needs (e.g., health insurance, housing, legal services, etc.)
Investing Through a Private Foundation
The Foundation’s transactions are governed by DIFC law. Transfers of assets to the Foundation and distributions to beneficiaries are subject to the tax and currency rules of their countries of residence, which should be reviewed with local advisors. ALPINE coordinates this review with the client’s advisors.
Asset Protection Through a Private Foundation in DIFC, UAE
Once transferred to the Foundation, assets are held by a separate legal entity (the Foundation), rather than in the Founder’s personal accounts. Asset recovery is only possible through a court process.
According to the DIFC Foundations Law:
A Foundation is not intended to avoid legitimate creditor claims: the source of funds is verified when the Foundation is established.
According to the DIFC Foundations Law:
- Disputes concerning the Foundation are governed exclusively by DIFC law
- A transfer of assets to the Foundation cannot be set aside merely because the law of another country does not recognise foundations or provides for forced heirship rights
- A three-year limitation period is established for claims disputing contributions to the Foundation or similar matters
- The Foundation’s officers act under the Charter, the By-laws and DIFC law, and instructions based on foreign law are not binding on them
- Information on beneficiaries, distribution rules, Foundation governance and financial reporting is not published in a public register. It is accessible to the registered agent and competent authorities as provided by law
- Reporting obligations of the Founder and beneficiaries in their countries of residence (for example, controlled foreign company rules) depend on local law and should be reviewed with local advisors
- The roles of Founder and Contributor can be separated, for example when several family members contribute assets
A Foundation is not intended to avoid legitimate creditor claims: the source of funds is verified when the Foundation is established.
A Private Foundation in the UAE – A Tool for Continuous Asset Management
- Business assets, including operating companies in various jurisdictions, can be transferred to the Foundation
- Management of operating companies can be flexibly structured at the Foundation level (different levels of involvement and authority for the Founder and successors; predefined scenarios for various situations)
- The death of the Founder does not affect the ownership structure of the assets
- Agreements with business partners (shareholder agreements, etc.) are arranged at the Foundation level and are not tied to the Founder personally
A Private Foundation Protects Against Risks Such As:
- Your personal accounts are blocked by a bank following a change in its policy, and your family temporarily loses access to funds.
- The primary asset holder in your family passes away unexpectedly, and their assets are frozen during the inheritance process.
- Personal circumstances (for example, illness) prevent you from continuing business, and without agreed governance rules the business becomes unmanageable.
- A family conflict or divorce paralyses the management of a business you have built over many years.
- Your underage heirs inherit significant capital, lose motivation to learn and grow, or make poor investment decisions and lose assets.
- Your heirs are unaware of substantial foreign investments you’ve made, and they can’t claim those assets during inheritance proceedings.
- A collection important to you holds no value to other family members and is neither preserved nor displayed.
- Your heirs can’t access quality education because inheritance triggered prolonged legal disputes.
Foundation Council
Assets
Protector
Founder
Contributor
State
ALPINE Private, Registered Agent
Beneficiaries
How the Private Foundation works:
- Founder
- Beneficiaries
- Foundation Council
- Protector (optional)
- Contributor (optional)
- Registered Agent
- State (DFSA, DIFCA, courts)
Control
Management
Management and Accumulation
Control
Purpose
Oversight, Appointment of Council Members
Control
Payments
Transfer of assets
Transfer of assets
Formation of Statutory Documents.
(optional)
(optional)
(DFSA, DIFCA, courts)
Сharter
By-laws
Public document. Provided to the register of companies.
Non-public document. Held by ALPINE PRIVATE – Registered Agent.
Why a Private Foundation in the UAE?
- A friendly country
- Banking system ranks among the world’s top 20 financial centers
- Convenient logistics
- Economic stability
- Advanced Foundation legislation complemented by English law
- Banks and service providers experienced with international clients, subject to standard due diligence
- Easy and effective interaction with government authorities
Why Set Up a Foundation with ALPINE PRIVATE
-
ALPINE PRIVATE is a registered agent in the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre), holding a DIFC commercial licence (CL8981) and registered with the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) as a DNFBP - Expertise in international tax, family and inheritance matters. The setup, asset transfers and ongoing operations of the Foundation take into account the Founder’s and Beneficiaries’ countries of residence, with local advisors involved where needed
- The owners of ALPINE PRIVATE and trustees on the Foundation’s board are independent legal and investment professionals, recognized experts in their fields
- Client due diligence (KYC* and AML**) in line with DIFC standards: clear requirements and timelines*KYC: verification of the client’s identity
**AML: verification of the source of funds
Key Experts
Private Foundation Setup Plan
Structure Agreement with Founder
KYC procedure for the Founder
KYC procedure for the Founder
10–15 business days
Drafting the Foundation Charter and Internal Regulations
Preparation of all legal documents
Preparation of all legal documents
approximately 30 business days
Foundation Registration in DIFC
approximately 15 business days
Opening a Bank Account for the Foundation
Approximately 1–2 months
Transferring Assets to the Foundation
Depends on the type of assets
Sergey Gerasimov
Sergey has over 20 years of experience in tax and legal advisory for private clients and family offices. He leads a team of more than 20 experts at ALPINE Group and previously held partner-level roles in the private client and tax practices of advisory firms.
His focus is international tax planning, asset structuring and tailored solutions for the protection and succession of private capital, combining strategic thinking with a deep understanding of international regulation.
His work has been recognised by leading international legal and tax rankings.
His focus is international tax planning, asset structuring and tailored solutions for the protection and succession of private capital, combining strategic thinking with a deep understanding of international regulation.
His work has been recognised by leading international legal and tax rankings.
Natalia Pushkina
Natalia has over 20 years of experience in finance, accounting, insurance and banking. At ALPINE Group she is responsible for strategic development and the operational management of the firm’s offices.
- Private and institutional wealth management
- Structuring of investment products and solutions under different legal regimes
- Support of cross-border transactions for high-net-worth individuals, family offices and foundations
- Oversight of investment compliance and risk
Maxim Klyuchnikov
Maxim has over 20 years of experience in tax planning, asset structuring and personal holding structures. He currently focuses on drafting documentation for, establishing and administering private foundations in the UAE.
- International holding structures and corporate structuring
- International tax planning
- Tailored solutions for private capital, taking into account controlled foreign company rules and international regulatory requirements
- More than 400 projects on personal holding structures
Contacts
Phone:
+971 54 279 9051 (WhatsApp)
Email:
pc@aigroup.ae
Address:
Unit 215A Level 2, Park Towers,
DIFC, Dubai, UAE
aigroup.ae
+971 54 279 9051 (WhatsApp)
Email:
pc@aigroup.ae
Address:
Unit 215A Level 2, Park Towers,
DIFC, Dubai, UAE
aigroup.ae
© ALPINE PRIVATE CORPORATE SERVICE PROVIDERS Limited
All rights reserved. 2026
Personal data processing policy
All rights reserved. 2026
Personal data processing policy
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