Paying taxes in two different countries for the same income sounds unfair, right? That’s exactly why double tax treaties exist. These agreements between countries make sure you don’t end up paying tax twice on the same earnings. They clearly define where your income should be taxed – in the country where you earn it or the country where you live – making cross-border business and investment much simpler and fairer.

The France–UAE Double Tax Treaty, first signed on 19 July 1989 and updated in 1993, is one such agreement. It sets out clear rules for how various types of income such as like salaries, dividends, capital gains, or business profits are taxed when money flows between France and the UAE. The treaty also explains what it means to be a “tax resident” and when a business is considered to have a “permanent establishment” in either country.

This treaty is especially valuable for investors, expatriates, and companies working between France and the UAE. For example, French citizens or businesses earning in the UAE can enjoy more clarity and fewer tax obligations since the UAE does not impose personal income tax. Similarly, UAE residents or firms investing in France can benefit from reduced withholding taxes and fairer tax treatment.