Qatar: What makes Doha one of the most tax-friendly cities on earth

Time of India

11 hours ago

Doha named 5th most tax-friendly city in the world in 2025/Image: Shutterstock
TL;DR:
Doha
ranks 5th globally in the
2025 Tax-Friendly Cities Index
by
Multipolitan
, ahead of Zurich, Hong Kong, and London
Seven GCC cities, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Manama, Doha, Kuwait City, Riyadh, and Muscat made it to the top 20
Qatar's tax regime includes
zero personal income tax
, low corporate rates, and a strong treaty network
As of July 2025, Doha is rapidly emerging as a preferred base for professionals and businesses seeking legal clarity and wealth security
In a significant boost to Qatar's economic standing, Doha has been ranked the fifth most tax-friendly city in the world by the inaugural Multipolitan Tax-Friendly Cities Index 2025.
Released this month, the report assessed 164 cities based on tax policies, legal governance, and international treaty strength. Doha's placement ahead of renowned global financial hubs like Zurich, Hong Kong, and London highlights a broader shift toward Gulf cities as secure, zero-tax wealth havens, with seven GCC cities entering the global top 20.
This recognition places Doha at the heart of the Middle East's evolving financial narrative, where tax neutrality meets long-term economic planning.
For mobile professionals, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals navigating rising global tax burdens, Doha now offers a uniquely stable and legally clear base for wealth preservation.
How the Index Was Built
The Tax-Friendly Cities Index, launched in 2025 by global mobility consultancy Multipolitan, evaluates cities across the weighted criterias such as:
Personal tax burden
Corporate tax policies
Tax transparency and legal clarity
Bilateral tax treaties
Investment governance
Each city was assigned a composite score based on these indicators.
Doha scored 611.9, placing it 5th globally, just behind Manama (4th) and ahead of Kuwait City (8th) and Riyadh (12th). Abu Dhabi and Dubai claimed the top two spots.
The high rankings of Gulf cities underscore a growing alignment between strategic national visions (like Qatar National Vision 2030) and investor-friendly reforms.
What Makes Doha a T
ax Winner?
No Personal Income Tax
Qatar's long-standing zero-tax policy on personal income, wages, bonuses, inheritance, and capital gains continues to be a foundational attraction.
This tax neutrality applies to both nationals and expatriates, eliminating administrative complexities and enabling full income retention for residents.
Competitive Corporate Tax Landscape
For foreign-owned businesses operating outside free zones, Qatar enforces a flat 10% corporate income tax. Sectors like oil and gas remain subject to a higher rate of 35%, as defined in specific contracts. Crucially, local and GCC-owned businesses can be exempt under certain regulatory conditions.
In alignment with OECD's Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Pillar Two framework, Qatar is also preparing to implement a 15% global minimum corporate tax for large multinationals starting in January 2025. This puts it in step with global reform while maintaining regional competitiveness.
Expansive Treaty Network
Qatar has signed more than 80 double taxation agreements, significantly reducing exposure for foreign investors. This includes treaties with countries such as India, the UK, France, and Singapore.
These agreements ensure residents and companies avoid being taxed twice on the same income, enhancing Doha's appeal for international wealth holders.
Robust Legal Governance
Doha's legal frameworks offer transparency and investor protection. The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) and Doha International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre provide international legal standards and arbitration systems that increase business confidence.
The country's investment laws allow 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, especially in free zones and knowledge-based industries.
The Bigger Picture: Why Doha's Rise Matters
Doha's inclusion in the top five reflects more than just tax policy. It signals a fundamental transformation in how the world's wealthy view Gulf urban centres, not just as oil capitals, but as long-term, stable homes for business and investment.
Driven by Qatar National Vision 2030, the city has invested heavily in infrastructure, clean energy, financial regulation, and education.
From Hamad International Airport's expansion to new tech and media zones, these projects are transforming Doha into a magnet for mobile professionals and digital-first enterprises.
Moreover, with global tax reform tightening in the West and economic uncertainty rising in Europe and Asia, cities like Doha offer clarity, simplicity, and fiscal neutrality, which are increasingly scarce in 2025.
As of July 2025, Doha's fifth-place global ranking in tax friendliness reflects a deliberate national strategy to position itself as a regional financial hub and secure base for international wealth.
While the lack of personal income tax is a major attraction, it's Doha's legal robustness, treaty protections, and forward-facing investment climate that truly differentiate it.
With multinationals preparing for the global minimum tax and individuals seeking safe harbours for earnings and capital, Doha offers an exceptional value proposition: zero taxes, high governance, and access to a thriving GCC economy.
About Multipolitan
: Multipolitan is the world's first and only product-driven global migration platform that simplifies international travel, relocation, business setup, and asset management for borderless enthusiasts.
Launched in 2024, Multipolitan was co-founded by Nirbhay Handa, a former Group Head at Henley & Partners, and Lee Smith, co-founder, who previously founded payment unicorn Paidy, which was acquired by PayPal for US$2.7 billion.