A growing number of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) from the United Kingdom are adopting structured, long-term migration strategies, with the United Arab Emirates emerging as a preferred destination. This shift reflects broader global wealth migration trends pointing to increased capital and talent flows toward stable, business-friendly jurisdictions.
According to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025, published by Henley & Partners in collaboration with New World Wealth, the UK is projected to experience one of the largest net outflows of wealthy individuals globally, while the UAE is forecast to record the highest net inflow of millionaires worldwide. The report estimates that nearly 142,000 millionaires are expected to relocate internationally in 2025, with the UAE positioned as a leading beneficiary of this movement.
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Global Wealth Migration: What the Data Shows
The Henley Private Wealth Migration Report is a widely cited private-sector study that tracks projected movements of high-net-worth individuals using proprietary wealth intelligence, migration trends, and economic modelling. While it is not based on government census data, it is frequently referenced by international media, policymakers, and wealth advisors as an indicator of global mobility trends among affluent individuals.
The report projects that the UK will face a significant net outflow of HNWIs, driven by a combination of regulatory changes, tax considerations, and economic uncertainty. In contrast, the UAE is expected to attract thousands of wealthy migrants, reinforcing its status as a global hub for wealth preservation and business expansion.
Prominent business figures, including steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, have reportedly engaged in long-term relocation planning, drawing further attention to the broader reallocation of global capital toward jurisdictions offering predictability and strategic advantage.
From Reactive Relocation to Strategic Planning
Unlike earlier waves of expatriation often driven by short-term lifestyle or tax motivations today’s migration decisions reflect a more deliberate and forward-looking approach. High-net-worth individuals are increasingly engaging in residency, tax, succession, and regulatory planning well in advance of any physical move.
This shift underscores the growing complexity of cross-border wealth management. For globally mobile individuals, predictability and regulatory clarity have become decisive factors. The UAE’s mature professional services ecosystem and evolving residency framework have positioned it as a jurisdiction capable of supporting long-term personal and commercial planning.
Why the UAE Continues to Attract Global Wealth
The UAE’s appeal lies in its ability to combine economic opportunity with long-term stability. For entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders, the country offers a compelling mix of commercial flexibility and institutional certainty.
Key business advantages include:
- A pro-enterprise regulatory and tax environment
- Strong legal frameworks supporting asset protection and commercial certainty
- Strategic geographic connectivity linking Europe, Asia, and Africa
- Flexible corporate and free zone structures suited to international operations
For individuals and families, the UAE offers:
- High living standards supported by world-class infrastructure
- Political and economic stability
- Safe, cosmopolitan communities
- Long-term residency options aligned with investment and professional activity
This balance between business efficiency and quality of life continues to attract internationally mobile wealth.
Residency Planning Becomes Central to Relocation Decisions
Residency planning is no longer treated as an administrative formality. UK nationals and international business leaders are increasingly integrating visa options, tax exposure, estate planning, and regulatory compliance into a single, cohesive strategy.
The UAE’s long-term residency pathways for investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals have enabled families to align decisions on education, housing, healthcare, and asset structuring well before relocation. This approach reflects a broader shift toward long-term settlement rather than temporary expatriation.
Early Engagement with Professional Advisors
Legal and financial advisors report a noticeable rise in early-stage consultations from UK-based clients exploring potential relocation to the UAE. These discussions often focus on wealth structuring, cross-border compliance, corporate reorganisation, and succession planning, sometimes months or years before any physical move.
This trend highlights a fundamental mindset change: relocation to the UAE is increasingly viewed as a permanent strategic base for wealth preservation, business continuity, and intergenerational planning.
To learn more about this: The UAE Advantage: Where Global Wealth, Ambition, and Modern Living Converge
A Measured but Strong Vote of Confidence in the UAE
While private wealth migration studies are projections rather than official government statistics, the consistency of findings across multiple reports and years signals sustained confidence in the UAE’s long-term vision. As regulatory pressures intensify in traditional financial centres, the UAE’s openness, stability, and forward-looking policies continue to stand out.
For global entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals, the UAE represents more than a relocation destination. It is a strategic platform for sustainable growth, regulatory certainty, and modern living reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most attractive jurisdictions to live and do business.
