On 30 April 2026, the DIFC Authority launched a 30-day public consultation on amended Prescribed Company (PC) Regulations. The headline change is the removal of all remaining qualifying purpose, applicant, and nexus-based eligibility requirements. In practical terms, the PC regime would become accessible to any applicant — not just those with a pre-existing connection to the DIFC or a specific qualifying activity. DIFC describes this as reflecting both the maturity of its regulatory framework and its alignment with international tax transparency and reporting standards.
A second material change concerns Corporate Service Providers (CSPs). Under the proposed rules, non-exempt PCs would be required to appoint a DFSA-licensed CSP as their primary administrative and compliance interface with the DIFC Registrar of Companies. Exempt PCs may do so voluntarily. The draft Regulations also introduce explicit statutory duties and enforcement measures for CSPs — mirroring the approach recently taken in the DIFC's Variable Capital Company Regulations. Alongside the PC amendments, the consultation includes proposed changes to the DIFC Operating Regulations to clarify the Registrar's powers to obtain financial information from Registered Persons and permit its controlled disclosure for statistical purposes.
What this means for our clients
For founders and family offices considering a DIFC holding or structuring vehicle, the proposed changes are worth tracking closely. If adopted, the open-access model would remove one of the more common obstacles we see at the eligibility screening stage. The mandatory CSP appointment for standard PCs would also create a clearer compliance pathway, though it adds a recurring cost that clients should factor into their structuring analysis. Nothing is final until the consultation closes and the Authority publishes its response — we expect revised Regulations later in 2026.
We are reviewing Consultation Paper No. 1 of 2026 in full and will be submitting observations before the 2 June deadline. If you would like to discuss how the proposed changes may affect an existing or planned DIFC structure, contact our team for a consultation — or read the source announcement and the full consultation paper directly on the DIFC website at the link above.