British nationals planning to relocate to the UAE are increasingly arriving with their finances, residency routes, and long-term plans already in place, reflecting a growing and more deliberate migration trend from the UK.
Advisers and long-term UAE residents say the change is becoming more noticeable. New arrivals are no longer making decisions after settling in. Instead, many begin structuring their move months in advance, seeking clarity on taxation, pensions, and residency options before leaving the UK.
The shift coincides with fresh global wealth migration data. According to Henley & Partners’ Private Wealth Migration Report 2025, the UK is expected to lose around 16,500 millionaires in 2025, the largest outflow of high-net-worth individuals recorded by any country. This follows the departure of nearly 10,000 millionaires in 2024 and more than 4,000 in 2023, pointing to an accelerating trend rather than a temporary spike.
At the same time, the UAE continues to rank as the world’s top destination for incoming millionaires, attracting close to 10,000 high-net-worth individuals annually. Industry observers say this helps explain why British expats are now arriving with clearer expectations and fewer uncertainties about life in the country.
Financial advisory firm Holborn Assets reports a 35 per cent increase in enquiries from British clients, many of whom are seeking advice well before relocating. The firm says the profile of UK expats has changed significantly, with early engagement now the norm rather than the exception.
“This is not a slow leak, it’s an exodus,” said Simon Parker, chief operating officer at Holborn Assets, citing the UK’s increasingly complex tax environment as a key driver. Robert Parker, the firm’s chief executive, said many prospective expats now want clarity on tax exposure, pensions, and long-term wealth planning before making the move, rather than addressing these issues after arrival.
Research by HSBC and Ipsos supports this shift toward early planning. The study found that 45 per cent of people considering relocation are uncertain about managing finances across borders, while 59 per cent are concerned about tax compliance in multiple jurisdictions. Nearly three in five respondents said the inability to transfer credit history could make it difficult to set up basic services such as bank accounts.
These concerns are prompting many UK nationals to address financial and residency planning months ahead of relocation. Pension positioning, tax exposure, and visa pathways are increasingly treated as part of the decision to move, rather than administrative tasks handled later.
Economists tracking wealth migration trends say the UK’s position has weakened sharply. In the Henley report, Professor Trevor Williams, former chief economist at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said the country is experiencing a significant and accelerating outflow of high-income individuals.
The planning-first mindset is also extending beyond the ultra-wealthy. Professionals considering careers in the UAE are adopting similar approaches, prioritising financial clarity and long-term stability before making the transition.
Lifestyle considerations are playing a growing role alongside tax and financial planning. HSBC’s international relocation research continues to rank the UAE highly for earnings potential, family stability, purchasing power, and overall quality of life. British families are increasingly arriving with schooling, housing, and healthcare arrangements already underway, particularly in Abu Dhabi, where demand is rising for long-term settlement rather than short-term assignments.
For UAE residents and service providers, the trend is reshaping expectations. Banks, employers, schools, and advisory firms report that new arrivals are asking more detailed questions from the outset, reflecting a shift toward viewing the UAE as a permanent base rather than a temporary stop.
As the UK grapples with a widening outflow of wealth and talent, Gulf economies stand to benefit. The longer-term impact may be felt not only in investment and professional services, but in how prepared expats reshape communities, competition, and opportunity across the UAE.
