As global wealth mobility accelerates, the UAE — the undisputed magnet for migrating Indian millionaires — is set to further strengthen its position in 2026, according to wealth management experts.
The country is expected to attract more high-net-worth individuals than any other destination this year, with Indians continuing to form one of the largest and most consistent inflows. Analysts say the trend is not driven by lifestyle appeal alone, but by deeper structural shifts in where wealth feels safest, most productive and best positioned for long-term growth.
Henley & Partners’ private wealth migration estimates show that the UAE was poised to record a net inflow of approximately 9,800 millionaires in 2025, bringing with them around $63 billion (Dh231 billion) in investable assets. The country also topped global rankings in 2024, welcoming about 6,700 millionaires and reinforcing its status as the world’s leading destination for mobile wealth. By comparison, the US is projected to attract roughly 7,500 millionaires in 2025, while several traditional European hubs continue to see net outflows of affluent residents.
Indian wealth remains central to this trend. Henley estimates that around 5,100 Indian millionaires left the country in 2023, followed by 4,300 in 2024, with close to 3,500 estimated to have relocated in 2025. The steady pace of departures points to a long-term repositioning of capital rather than a short-term response to political or economic shocks.
The reasons behind this migration from India are becoming increasingly clear. Surveys by Kotak Private Banking and EY indicate that more than one in five ultra-high-net-worth Indians — those with assets exceeding Rs250 million — are either planning to migrate or have already done so. While taxation, pollution and quality of life are frequently cited, analysts argue these are secondary considerations. The deeper drivers include limited competitive space in legacy industries, slow regulatory processes, uneven policy execution and a perception that risk-taking and innovation are not sufficiently rewarded. As a result, wealth strategies have grown more defensive, with families seeking jurisdictions that offer predictability, speed and seamless global access.
The UAE meets those requirements with unusual clarity. Zero personal income tax, no capital gains or inheritance tax, and long-term residency options under the Golden Visa system allow wealthy individuals to secure both personal and business futures with minimal friction. Regulatory processes are relatively swift, enforcement is predictable, and the country’s geographic location provides efficient access to markets across Asia, Europe and Africa. For many Indian entrepreneurs, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have increasingly become operational headquarters rather than mere lifestyle destinations.
Healthcare costs have also emerged as a decisive factor in relocation decisions. According to the SIP Health Cost Index 2025, average annual international private medical insurance costs in the US stand at around $17,969 per person, among the highest globally. Hong Kong and Singapore follow at approximately $16,175 and $14,231 respectively — levels that can significantly distort long-term family financial planning. The UAE, by contrast, ranks around 10th globally, offering a balance between premium healthcare and predictable costs. Comprehensive family health insurance in the country typically ranges from Dh50,000 to Dh100,000 per year, making it competitive relative to other global wealth hubs.
Henley & Partners notes that international residence and citizenship planning surged in 2025, with wealthy individuals from 92 nationalities engaging in cross-border mobility strategies — a 43 per cent increase from the previous year. Rising healthcare inflation, alongside education costs and long-term family security, has shifted from being a peripheral concern to a core driver of migration decisions.
Other destinations remain options for Indian millionaires, but each comes with trade-offs. The US offers scale and capital access but combines high taxes with expensive healthcare. Singapore provides governance stability but faces rising living costs and tighter immigration criteria. Portugal, Australia and Canada appeal on lifestyle and institutional strength, yet lack the UAE’s tax neutrality and regional connectivity. Traditional European centres such as London and Geneva are grappling with policy uncertainty that has eroded their long-term appeal.
The UAE’s dominance lies in its ability to integrate tax efficiency, business opportunity, healthcare, education, safety and global mobility into a single, stable proposition. For Indian millionaires, migration is not a rejection of India’s economic potential, but a strategic response to structural constraints at home and greater flexibility abroad. As competition for mobile wealth intensifies globally, the UAE’s lead appears secure — and likely to widen in the years ahead.
