Do I pay capital gains tax on shares or crypto in the UAE?

No. The UAE levies no personal income tax and no capital gains tax on investment gains for resident individuals. Profits you make selling shares, ETFs or cryptocurrencies are generally tax-free if you are a UAE tax resident. Your gain and your net proceeds are the same figure.

Is there any tax at all on investing in the UAE?

For a resident individual investing their own money, no. A 9% federal corporate tax has applied to business profits above AED 375,000 since June 2023, but it targets businesses, not an individual holding a personal brokerage or crypto account. There is also 5% VAT on many goods and services, which does not apply to investment gains.

What if I am not a UAE tax resident?

Then your home country may tax the gain even if you traded through a UAE-based or international broker. Tax residency, double-tax treaties and your nationality all matter. If you split time between countries, or you are a citizen of a country that taxes worldwide income (for example the United States), get advice before assuming a gain is tax-free.

Do I still need to keep records if there is no tax?

Yes. Keep your contract notes, transaction history and statements. You may need them if your tax residency changes, if a home-country authority asks, or simply to track your own performance. Most brokers and exchanges let you export a full CSV of your trades.

Does the broker withhold anything from my gains?

UAE-facing brokers do not withhold UAE tax on capital gains, because there is none. Be aware that some foreign markets apply withholding tax on dividends at source (for example US-listed shares), which is a separate matter from capital gains and depends on the market and any treaty in place.

Free tool

Capital Gains Calculator 2026

The UAE has no personal capital gains tax, so your investment profit is generally yours to keep. Enter your buy and sale amounts to see your gain in AED, plus the cases where tax can still apply.

Total purchase price (AED)

Total sale price (AED)

I am a UAE tax resident

Guidance for information only. It applies the UAE's tax treatment (no personal capital gains tax for resident individuals) to the gain you enter. It does not account for your tax residency in another country, home-country rules, or dividend withholding on foreign markets. Not a substitute for professional tax advice. Rules can change.

The principle: no personal capital gains tax in the UAE

In the United Arab Emirates, the profit you make selling shares, ETFs or cryptocurrencies is not taxed for a resident individual. There is no personal income tax and no capital gains tax. If you buy a portfolio for AED 20,000 and sell it for AED 32,000, the AED 12,000 gain is yours to keep in full. The regulators for financial services are the SCA (Securities and Commodities Authority) at federal level, the DFSA in the Dubai International Financial Centre, and the FSRA in Abu Dhabi Global Market.

What about corporate tax?

Since June 2023 the UAE applies a 9% federal corporate tax on business profits above AED 375,000. This targets companies and business activity, not an individual holding a personal brokerage or crypto account. Trading your own savings as a private investor is not, on its own, a taxable business activity. If you trade at scale through a company or a licensed entity, the corporate rules can apply, so take advice if that is your situation.

Non-residents and home-country tax

The zero-tax treatment depends on being a UAE tax resident. If you are taxed elsewhere, that country may still tax your gain, even when you trade through a UAE-based or international broker. Citizens of countries that tax worldwide income (for example the United States) keep their home obligations regardless of where they live. Double-tax treaties, residency certificates and the number of days you spend in each country all matter.

Dividends and withholding tax

Capital gains are tax-free, but dividends from foreign shares can still be reduced by withholding tax at source. US-listed shares, for instance, typically apply a dividend withholding tax before the cash reaches your account. That is separate from capital gains and depends on the market and any treaty in place. It does not change the tax-free status of your capital gain in the UAE.

Keep your records

Even with no tax to pay, keep your contract notes, statements and transaction history. You may need them if your residency changes, if a foreign authority asks, or simply to track performance. Most brokers and exchanges let you export a full CSV of your trades.

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Planning to invest from the UAE?

Your broker choice affects your net return directly: trading fees, currency-conversion costs on AED-to-USD funding, access to ETFs and crypto, and account currency. HelloBrokers compares the platforms on independent criteria so you can find the broker that fits your profile.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I pay capital gains tax on shares or crypto in the UAE?: No. The UAE levies no personal income tax and no capital gains tax on investment gains for resident individuals. Profits you make selling shares, ETFs or cryptocurrencies are generally tax-free if you are a UAE tax resident. Your gain and your net proceeds are the same figure.
Is there any tax at all on investing in the UAE?: For a resident individual investing their own money, no. A 9% federal corporate tax has applied to business profits above AED 375,000 since June 2023, but it targets businesses, not an individual holding a personal brokerage or crypto account. There is also 5% VAT on many goods and services, which does not apply to investment gains.
What if I am not a UAE tax resident?: Then your home country may tax the gain even if you traded through a UAE-based or international broker. Tax residency, double-tax treaties and your nationality all matter. If you split time between countries, or you are a citizen of a country that taxes worldwide income (for example the United States), get advice before assuming a gain is tax-free.
Do I still need to keep records if there is no tax?: Yes. Keep your contract notes, transaction history and statements. You may need them if your tax residency changes, if a home-country authority asks, or simply to track your own performance. Most brokers and exchanges let you export a full CSV of your trades.
Does the broker withhold anything from my gains?: UAE-facing brokers do not withhold UAE tax on capital gains, because there is none. Be aware that some foreign markets apply withholding tax on dividends at source (for example US-listed shares), which is a separate matter from capital gains and depends on the market and any treaty in place.