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  • Home
  • Services
    Individuals & Corporate Services
    • Trust Voice
    • Submit inquiries about the ministry’s services
    • Submitting a suggestion regarding the Ministry’s services
    • Submitting complaints about the services of the Ministry of Finance
    • Supplier Services
    • Accreditation of eInvoicing Service Providers
    Government Services
    • Transfer of financial allocations between chapters and programs
    • Request to impose/modify fees for federal agencies services
    • Request to open and close bank accounts for federal entities
    • Create or Remove new hires requests
    • Exemption request from all or some of the debts and dues outstanding and payable to the State’s Treasury
    • Tax classification requests for VAT and corporate tax ATTR
    Government Services
    • Processing requests from federal entities regarding real estate properties of the federal government
    • Tableau (Smart Reporting System) / Data Lake User management
    • Applying for Report preparation and Amendment request
    • Submitting inquiries for federal entities' accounting
    • Contracting with the World Bank for advisory services
  • Public Finance
    UAE Financial Sustainability
    • UAE Financial Framework
    • Accrual Accounting Program
    • Segregation of Duties
    Federal Budget
    • UAE Budget Overview
    • Federal Budget 2025
    • Federal Budget 2022-2026
    • Federal Budget Archive
    • Government Financial Statistics
    Tax
    • Value Added Tax (VAT)
    • Corporate Tax
    • Top-up Tax
    Government Procurement
    • Federal Supplier Register
    • Digital Procurement Platform
    • DPP Catalogue
    • Guide to Digital Procurement Procedures for the Federal Government
    • Current Business Opportunities
    • SMEs
    International Relations
    • GCC Economic Integration
    • Regional and International Partnerships and Agreements
    • Protection and Promotion of Investments
    • Double Taxation Agreements
    • Automatic Exchange of Information - FATCA and CRS
    • Economic Substance Regulations (ESR)
    • Country by Country Reporting (CbCR)
    • Our Participation in G20
    • Our Participation in BRICS
    • UAE in Global Competitiveness Reports
    Public Debt
    • Federal Debt Management Office
    • T-Bonds
    • T-Sukuk
    • Issuance Programme
    • Primary Dealers
    • International Bonds
    • Investor Relations
    • UAE Credit Rating
  • Financial Legislation
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Home Public Finance International Relations Economic Substance Regulations (ESR)

Economic Substance Regulations (ESR)

Disclaimer: The information provided by the AI enquiries platform is for general guidance and informational purposes only. It should not be considered as final or definitive advice. The company is advised to seek further consultations and professional input before making any final decisions.

ESR Regulations to Enhance Transparency

The UAE introduced the Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) to align with global tax transparency standards and curb harmful tax practices. The regulations require companies on the mainland and free zones, and other business entities that carry out any of the ‘Relevant Activities’, to maintain an adequate ‘economic presence’ in the UAE.

On this page

Relevant Activities

Banking business

Insurance business

Investment fund management business

Lease - finance business

Headquarters business​​

Shipping business

Holding company business

Intellectual property business (IP)

Distribution and service center business

Reporting Requirements

Entities that are within the scope of the ESR are required to submit the following to their regulatory authority within 12 months from the end of their financial year:
  • An annual notification form
  • An Economic Substance Report

Exemptions

An entity is not required to meet the Economic Substance Test nor file an Economic Substance Report if:
  • It has not earned income from a ‘Relevant Activity;’ or,
  • It meets the conditions for being exempt
A Notification Form will need to be submitted regardless.

Consequences of Non-compliance

Failure to comply with the regulations can result in:
Penalties
Spontaneous exchange of information with the Foreign Competent Authority (as defined in Article 1 of the Regulations)
Administrative sanctions such as the suspension, revocation or non-renewal of the entity’s trade license or permit

Legal Framework

The UAE introduced the ESR through Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 31 of 2019, issued on 30 April 2019, in line with its commitment to the OECD Inclusive Framework and in response to the EU Code of Conduct Group on Business Taxation.

Supporting Guidance and Decisions Include:
  • Ministerial Decision No. 215 of 2019 (issued on 11 September 2019)
  • Cabinet Decision No. 58/2019 on the determination of Regulatory Authorities
  • Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. (57) of 2020 on 10 August 2020
  • Ministerial Decision No. (100) of 2020
  • Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 98 of 2024

How to Enter ESR Portal

You can enter the ESR portal with a registered MoF corporate account. If you don’t have an account, proceed to create a new account.
  • Log-in to ESR Portal
  • Click here to watch the Economic Substance Filing Portal’ Webinar
  • Economic Substance Regulations Portal Frequently Asked Questions
  • Economic Substance Regulations Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Related Documents

New Cabinet Resolution No 57 of 2020 revoking Cabinet Resolution No 31 of 2019

(493 KB, pdf)

Ministerial Decision 100 of 2020 ESR Guidance and Relevant Activities Guide Issued 19 August 2020

(412 KB, pdf)

Economic Substance UAE Economic Substance Flowchart

(275 KB, pdf)

Economic Substance - Notification Guidance

(268 KB, pdf)

Economic Substance - Notification template

(281 KB, pdf)

Economic Substance - Report Guidance

(302 KB, pdf)

Economic Substance - Report template

(1 MB, pdf)

Relevant Activities Summary

(111 KB, pdf)

Notice of COVID-19

(108 KB, pdf)

Notice regarding ESR Filing Requirements and Deadlines.

(171 KB, pdf)

Terms & conditions to apply

(343 KB, pdf)

Ministerial Decision No. (239) of 2023 concerning the reorganization of the Permanent Committee to follow up on the implementation of the Economic Substance Regulations

(141 KB, pdf)

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