Is Dubai the Better Choice?

"Is Dubai the Better Choice?", is the question on everyone lips. On Saturday, (1st of March 2026) we woke up in crisis as Iran retaliated across the Arab states of the Persian Gulf.

Until this moment, Dubai, UAE and the rest of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf enjoyed the reputation of a remarkable place to be. You win on safety. You win on tax. Your quality of life increases.

The paramount message was what a great place it is for doing business. It is the hub for expanding your business operations globally. It's so perfect, you should take your family with you to enjoy the new adventure.

Over the last couple of years, I was advising some of my clients where their personal circumstances dictated that exploring Dubai or wider Middle East was a better option than relocating or remaining in the United Kingdom.

There were a number of different comparisons drawn between the UK, Dubai in the UAE and the rest of Middle East. In particular, the family values, safety and personal security concerns.

Relocation to Dubai: Tax Reasons and Reporting Requirements

The major reason why some Europeans chose Dubai over the UK or other European and non-European countries, is the absence of tax.

Some of my friends established successful businesses and family lives in Dubai. They are very happy.

The absence of a tax framework is the major reason why Dubai was the place to be. 

It is now well known that a number of Europeans chose to take their investments over to Dubai than well established banking institutions in Europe because of the absence of reporting requirements.

As Russian billionaires escape personal sanctions directed at them in Europe and the USA, Dubai, the UAE and the Middle East offer a refuge and major opportunities to invest. Including opportunities in Europe and elsewhere in the world using legal structures in Dubai and the rest of the UAE.

The previous UK non-dom regime now abolished (from April 2025) was a suitable solution if you were able to sustain your worldwide lifestyle on the capital you already accumulated prior to relocating to the UK.

Same incentives  currently apply to the UK if you are new to the UK or benefit from transitional measures after April 2025.

However, if your current relocation is still driven by tax considerations and you have not accumulated substantial capital prior to relocating to the UK. 

Under peaceful circumstances, perhaps, the first stop ought to be Dubai to prepare you for the relocation to the UK.

As you do so, be mindful of the tax anti-avoidance legislation applicable in your home country. You can send your enquiry here.

Relocation to Dubai and Protecting Your Assets in Europe

As you become resident in Dubai, your next step will be focused on protecting your assets and investments in Europe that you leave behind.

Depending on your home country’s tax legislation, most likely you will be considered no longer resident for tax purposes in your home country and you will be able to utilise the necessary legal structures to secure and protect your investments in Europe.

It is likely that your European structures will be more acceptable than the legal structures utilised from Dubai.

You will need to secure your independent professional advice to make sure that you take the best next step.

See how Global Wealth Strategy or International Structuring for Global Wealth can help you.

Are There Any Drawbacks as You Relocate to Dubai, UAE or the rest of the Middle East?

As I speak with my Dubai based friends and clients, there are a lot of attractive lifestyle solutions in Dubai.

However, the major drawback appears to be the temporary nature of it. Middle East countries by default only encourage temporary arrangements that require to be renewed from time to time. They are all in favour of expat culture where residents from overseas are expected to go back to their home country.

The citizens are favoured over non-citizens and have more rights. Your long-term residence does not guarantee for more rights to be awarded to non-citizens.     

Perhaps, the major shock to the Europeans based in Dubai is the realisation that their children may be born stateless in UAE as over several generations living overseas may cause them to lose their home citizenship without the opportunity to acquire Middle East citizenship.

These realisations cause you to strengthen your ties with the UK and other European countries of their origin. You may also start exploring suitable citizenship alternatives for your family.

Explore Global Wealth Strategy and International Structuring for Global Wealth

A highly experienced UHNWI advisor can help you to tackle UK tax, immigration, investment, relocation  and FOREX issues all at the same time when you book your Global Wealth Strategy.

Book a call with me to discuss your Global Wealth Strategy as you invest operate or relocate to the UK.

You may submit your enquiry here.

Saule Voluckyte, M.A.E.S, LL.B, FAIA

I have been working exclusively with UHNWI in Mayfair, London since January 2008. I built specialist knowledge and expertise required to serve ultra high net worth individuals investing, operating and relocating to the UK or Switzerland.

Within the industry, I am the single adviser who is able to traverse the different areas of expertise and bring a comprehensive approach across: global structuring, UK immigration, international taxation and FOREX to develop their global wealth strategy, while they build, grow and expand their wealth worldwide.

Previous experience as one of the senior advisors for the government, made me a go-to person when delicate and uncomfortable scenarios involving heads of state need to be handled with care and preserve privacy.