Dubai: zero income tax. And back home, what does the taxman say? 

• “The UAE does not levy income tax on individuals”, according to the official u.ae portal.
• Corporate tax: an individual is subject only for an activity whose turnover exceeds a threshold. That threshold is AED 1,000,000 (≈ EUR 246,000) a year. But an individual's “real estate investment” income (sale, leasing, sub-leasing of property in the UAE) is excluded, whatever its amount. This applies to an activity not conducted through or requiring a licence. No registration is then required (Cabinet Decision No. 49 of 2023, art. 1 and 2, in force since 1 June 2023).

• Principle: a person domiciled in France is taxable on all income, from French or foreign sources. The rule applies subject to treaties (art. 4 A of the French tax code, BOFiP BOI-IR-CHAMP-10).
• Rent: income from a property in the UAE is taxable in the UAE (art. 5). For a French resident it is also taxable in France. France grants a tax credit equal to the corresponding French tax (art. 19, § 1, “for all other income”).
• Capital gain on sale: taxable in the UAE (art. 11, § 1 a). For these gains, the credit granted in France equals the tax actually paid in the UAE, capped at the French tax (art. 19, § 1).
• Consequence: this credit equals the tax paid in the UAE, nil in practice (u.ae). The gain is therefore in principle taxable in France (income tax and social levies; 2025 income tax brochure, p. 357). To be confirmed with a tax advisor.
• Declaration: a gain made outside France and not exempted by a treaty is declared on form 2048-IMM. It is filed within the month following the sale (notice 2048-IMM-NOT-SD, line 120).
• IFI (French real estate wealth tax): a person domiciled in France is concerned for real estate located in France and abroad. This applies when net taxable real estate wealth exceeds €1.3 million on 1 January (official 2025 IFI brochure). For wealth, the treaty provides a credit equal to the wealth tax paid in the UAE (art. 19, § 3).
• Bank account in the UAE: an account opened, held, used or closed abroad is declared each year with the income tax return (form 3916). The fine is €1,500 per undeclared account (impots.gouv.fr).

A UAE residence permit, Golden Visa included, does not on its own end French tax domicile. That depends on the criteria of article 4 B of the French tax code and, in case of dual residence, on article 4 of the treaty.

• Direct federal tax: a resident's liability is unlimited but does not extend to real estate located abroad (DFTA, art. 6 para. 1). Income taxable in Switzerland is, however, taxed at the rate that would apply if all items were taxable in Switzerland (DFTA, art. 7 para. 1).
• Treaty: rent and gains from a property in the UAE are taxable in the UAE (art. 6 and 13 § 1). Switzerland exempts that income but may apply, to the rest, the same rate as if it had not been exempted (art. 22 § 1 a).
• The property must appear in the tax return. The cantons set its tax value (in Valais, for example, based on market value, per the cantonal directive).

• Declaration: as soon as you hold real rights in a property outside Belgium, declaring it is mandatory. The property is taxed on the basis of a cadastral income assigned to it by the administration (Wikifin, FSMA, updated 5 November 2026).
• Treaty: real estate income, capital gains and immovable wealth located in the UAE are taxable there (art. 6, 13 § 1 and 22 § 1). Belgium exempts income and wealth “qui sont imposés dans les Emirats Arabes Unis conformément aux dispositions de la Convention”. That is, those taxed in the UAE in accordance with the treaty. It may still apply the same rate to the rest as without the exemption (art. 23 § 2 a).
• Declaration to the administration: the law of 17 February 2021 requires a spontaneous declaration to the General Administration of Patrimonial Documentation (AGDP). It covers acquiring or disposing of a real right in a property abroad, within 4 months. The administration assigns the property a cadastral income, which can be requested via MyMinfin (Wikifin).
• Bank account in the UAE: it is reported once to the Central Point of Contact (CPC) of the National Bank of Belgium. Its existence must also be mentioned on the tax return each year (NBB).
• Furnished letting: a small part of the rent is to be declared as movable income (Wikifin).

• Principle: residents of Canada are generally taxed on their worldwide income (CRA, folio S5-F2-C1, ¶ 1.1).
• Convention: rent and gains from a property in the UAE may be taxed in the UAE (art. 6 § 1 and 13 § 1). Canada deducts from its tax the tax paid in the UAE on that income (art. 24 § 1 a).
• As the UAE levies no income tax on individuals (u.ae), there is in principle nothing to deduct. Rent and gains are therefore in principle taxed in Canada, to be confirmed with a tax advisor.
• Form T1135: it is required if the total cost of your specified foreign property exceeds C$100,000 at any time in the year. A rental property abroad is included (CRA). A property used more than 50% for your personal use is excluded.
• Federal Budget 2026 proposes raising this threshold to C$200,000, for years ending after 2026. It is a proposal, not an enacted rule.
• Quebec: the 2025 law, chapter 27, creates a Quebec foreign property declaration (Taxation Act, s. 1079.8.15.10). It covers in particular an individual resident in Quebec whose specified foreign property has a total cost above C$100,000. Personal-use property is excluded (s. 1079.8.15.8). A false statement or omission, made knowingly or through gross negligence, is penalised. The penalty is then the greater of C$24,000 and 5% of the cost of that property (s. 1079.8.15.13).

This guide is sourced information, not personal advice. A tax advisor licensed in your country of residence confirms what applies to your case. SwissPro360 is a real estate broker, not a tax advisor: we put you in touch with the right person.