What is a
Single Family Office?
A single family office (SFO) is a private organisation that manages the wealth, investments, succession and affairs of one family. In the Dubai International Financial Centre it operates under the Family Arrangements Regulations without a DFSA licence, provided it serves only one family and does not provide financial services to others by way of business.
How does an SFO differ from a multi-family office?
A single family office serves one family and its connected persons. A multi-family office (MFO) serves several unrelated families. The distinction is decisive in the DIFC: an SFO operates without a DFSA licence, whereas an MFO that provides financial services to multiple families by way of business must be licensed and supervised by the DFSA. See single vs multi-family office.
What does a single family office do?
- Investment administration and consolidated reporting across the family's assets.
- Wealth and holding structures — foundations, holding and prescribed companies, and investment vehicles.
- Succession and estate planning coordination, including wills and guardianship.
- Governance — supporting the family council, board and a family constitution.
- Administration — accounting, treasury, real estate and lifestyle management.
Does an SFO need a licence in the UAE?
No, where it serves only one family. Under the DIFC Family Arrangements Regulations, a qualifying single family office does not need a DFSA licence and does not register as a Designated Non-Financial Business or Profession (DNFBP). A licence is only required if the office provides regulated financial services to more than one family by way of business.
What net worth do you need for a single family office?
In the DIFC a family generally evidences a minimum of around USD 50 million in net assets, tested at fair market value across all family members and structures. As a practical matter, a single family office tends to become cost-efficient at roughly USD 30–50 million of investable assets; below that, a lighter holding structure may serve better.
How is a single family office structured?
An SFO is usually a layered structure: a foundation at the top for ownership and succession, a family-office management entity providing services, and holding or prescribed companies as special-purpose vehicles beneath — with a Variable Capital Company added where investment pooling is needed. See structuring a family office.
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