Finance

Wealth Relocation in High Gear: Where Are the Rich Going?

Wealth migration is accelerating, with the UAE emerging as the top destination as private-relocation services surge. A UBS survey shows a significant share of billionaires relocating in 2025, underscoring a broader decision to diversify risk across jurisdictions.

Wealth Relocation in High Gear: Where Are the Rich Going?

Key Takeaways

  • UAE net inflows reached about 9,800 millionaires in 2025 per Henley & Partners, with zero income tax and flexible residency cited as drivers.
  • 36% of UBS’s 87 billionaire clients relocated in 2025, and 9% are considering relocation, signaling broad cross-border moves.
  • Europe and Singapore remain attractors for stability, tax certainty, and robust financial infrastructure, alongside 40+ tracked residency programs.
  • UK saw a net loss of about 16,500 millionaires in 2025, while residency/citizenship applications rose 28% YoY.
  • Henley & Partners reports 218 nationalities engaging in 2025, with 100 nationalities applying across 95 countries.

People Involved

  • Dominic VolekHenley & Partners executive
  • Deepesh AgarwalFarro & Co. wealth adviser
  • Jeremy SavorySavory Partners

Entities Involved

  • UBSSwiss multinational investment bank responsible for billionaire client survey
  • Henley & PartnersInvestment migration consultancy reporting on residency/citizenship programs
  • Farro & Co.Wealth advisory firm referenced in the context of relocation services
  • Savory PartnersAdvisory firm linked to relocation and wealth strategy

MarketMoodz Analysis

For investors, the data suggests capital and talent are concentrating in a handful of policy-stable hubs. Expect stronger cross-border asset flows, higher demand for international private-banking services, and a potential premium on luxury real estate around destination cities.

Historically, wealthy families have used relocation and citizenship programs as diversification tools against geopolitical shocks. The UAE’s tax regime and flexible residency, along with European stability and robust financial infrastructure in Singapore, echo a multi-polar approach to risk. The market will likely watch policy shifts—tax, immigration, and residency programs—closely over the next 12–24 months to gauge how quickly capital can reallocate.

What to watch next: follow updates from Henley & Partners on residency programs, monitor UAE real estate and private-banking activity, and track any policy changes that could alter relocation incentives for ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

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