Bahrain vs United Arab Emirates
Tax Rate Comparison
Enter your income below for a personal tax estimate, then scroll down for full rate breakdowns.
π° Personal Income Tax Calculator
Enter your income to see your estimated annual tax liability in each country β side by side.
π§π Bahrain β Municipal Fees & Levies
Bahrain has no income tax on individuals and no corporate income tax for most businesses outside the oil sector. Municipalities collect fees for commercial registrations and services. Bahrain introduced VAT at 5% in 2019, raised to 10% in 2022. Social insurance is administered by the Social Insurance Organization (SIO). Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030 aims to diversify from oil. The country is a regional financial hub and attracts holding companies due to its zero-tax environment for most activities.
π¦πͺ United Arab Emirates β Emirate-Level Fees & Free Zone Benefits
The UAE has no federal income tax on individuals. Emirates impose municipality fees (~5%) on commercial rents and tourism/hotel fees of 10β15%. Free Zones (DIFC, ADGM, Jebel Ali) offer 0β9% corporate rates for qualifying activities. Real estate transfer fees of 4% apply in Dubai. Emiratisation targets are increasing employer costs.
Bahrain vs United Arab Emirates: Key Tax Differences (2026)
π° Income Tax: Bahrain and United Arab Emirates have similar top income tax rates (0% vs 0%).
π VAT/Sales Tax: Bahrain has a higher consumption tax (10% vs 5%).
π’ Corporate Tax: π§π Bahrain offers a lower corporate rate (0% vs 9%), which can influence business location decisions.