In a world where wealth is increasingly international and multi-generational, family offices have emerged as one of the most effective structures for preserving, managing, and growing assets.

The basics: What is a family office?

A family office is a dedicated private entity that manages a wealthy family’s financial affairs, investments, governance, and day-to-day administration.

A family office is not merely a financial management vehicle — it is the nerve centre of a family’s wealth strategy, combining investment oversight, succession planning, governance, and lifestyle management under one coordinated framework.

For ultra-high-net-worth individuals, business founders post-exit, and established family dynasties, a family office offers the ultimate combination of privacy, control, and strategic foresight.

What are the benefits of setting up a family office?

The benefits are far-reaching. A family office centralises decision-making, ensuring that investment strategies, estate planning, and tax considerations are managed holistically rather than in silos and sometimes among family members with diverging opinions.

It provides a discreet environment where sensitive information is safeguarded and where solutions are tailored to each family’s unique objectives, beliefs and values.

Crucially, it enables generational continuity, ensuring wealth is preserved and managed effectively long after the founding generation is gone. For many, it is also the gateway to accessing opportunities across multiple jurisdictions, leveraging a global network of advisors and institutions.

Traditional jurisdictions hosting Family Offices

Historically, the global map of family offices has been dominated by jurisdictions such as Singapore, Switzerland, Dubai, Hong Kong, and to some extent London and Luxembourg.

Each of these hubs offers distinct advantages, from Singapore’s robust regulatory incentives and Asia-Pacific connectivity to Switzerland’s long-standing reputation for discretion and financial sophistication. Over the past decade, Mauritius has emerged as a strong contender, particularly for African and Asian families, while the UAE — through the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) — has rapidly positioned itself as a global magnet for wealthy families seeking a zero-tax environment combined with world-class infrastructure.

Mauritius and UAE stepping forward

Mauritius and the UAE both offer compelling propositions, but in different ways.

Mauritius is politically stable, internationally compliant, and strategically positioned between Africa and Asia. It offers over 45 Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements, a bilingual and highly skilled workforce, and an internationally rated banking sector.

Operational costs are competitive compared to more traditional hubs, and the island’s time zone allows seamless communication with Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East in a single business day.

The UAE, by contrast, has built its appeal around a combination of tax advantages, world-class connectivity, and lifestyle. With zero personal income tax, full repatriation of profits, and a corporate tax framework that remains globally competitive, it has become a base for families with diverse global holdings.

The DIFC and ADGM have designed regulatory environments that specifically accommodate family office structures, while the country’s world-class education, healthcare, and luxury living make it a destination as much for residence as for business.

Family office models and tax holidays

Both jurisdictions recognize 2 main family office models: the Single-Family Office (SFO), which serves one family exclusively, and the Multi-Family Office (MFO), which manages the affairs of multiple unrelated families.

The SFO model offers complete customisation, with strategies, governance, and operations tailored to one family’s needs.

The MFO model shares resources, expertise, and infrastructure among several families, offering cost efficiencies without compromising on personalised service.

The Mauritius Family Office scheme caters for the domiciliation of high net worth single family and multifamily offices characterised by 2licences, namely the Family Office (Single) licence (SFO) and the Family Office (Multiple) licence (MFO).

The scheme is regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC), the integrated regulator for the non-bank financial services sector. Licensees are eligible to a 10 year tax holidays if they are able to meet certain specific conditions.

In order to be eligible to this fiscal incentive, a Family Office (Single) shall employ at least one professional and have assets under management of more than USD 5 million. For a Family Office (Multiple), it shall employ at least three professionals and have assets under management of more than USD 5 million for each family.

African and European clientele

For African clients, Mauritius offers the neutrality, asset protection legislation, and treaty access needed to expand wealth internationally, while the UAE provides a globally connected hub for trade, investment, and sophisticated lifestyle.

For European clients, Mauritius combines a cost-efficient, compliant platform with easy access to African growth markets, whereas the UAE offers a strategic base for diversifying into Asia and the Middle East alongside a highly attractive personal tax environment.

How JurisTax is assisting family offices to establish themselves?

At JurisTax, we have been assisting families in navigating both options, from the earliest strategic decisions to full operational rollout.

Our services cover every stage of the journey — advising and securing the relevant licences with the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius or the regulatory authorities in DIFC/ADGM, facilitating the relocation of family members and professional teams, and managing the day-to-day corporate administration, accounting, and compliance requirements.

Beyond incorporation, we provide ongoing governance and advisory services, ensuring that the family office continues to meet its objectives as markets, regulations, and family needs evolve.

Paradigm shift

The rise of Mauritius and the UAE as leading family office destinations reflects a broader shift in global wealth management.

These jurisdictions are no longer peripheral alternatives; they are now central to the strategies of the world’s most sophisticated families. Whether the priority is cost efficiency, tax optimisation, regulatory credibility, or lifestyle, the choice between Mauritius and the UAE offers distinct advantages — and with the right partner, it is a choice that can secure a family’s legacy for generations to come.

Let’s connect to discuss more.