15 October 2026
The UAE is the most requested destination among UK residents asking about a move abroad. According to data from Dubai-based Sovereign PPG Corporate Services, reported by The National on 15 October 2026, the UAE accounted for 16.2% of the group’s enquiries originating in the UK, ahead of the Isle of Man at 12.8%, Portugal at 11.7%, Gibraltar at 5.5% and Malta at 4.3%. Nearly 60% of the UK-origin enquiries about the UAE concerned company formation, business licensing or other commercial set-up, 21.9% concerned residency, relocation or visas, and 13.9% concerned wealth structures such as trusts, foundations and holding companies. At the same time, the latest Saltus Wealth Index Report shows that 30% of wealthy Britons are now considering leaving the UK, up from 25% a year earlier.
What the Sovereign PPG data shows
Sovereign PPG Corporate Services is a Dubai-based consultancy that works with internationally mobile families and business owners. Its latest data ranks destinations by their share of enquiries that came from the UK.
| Destination | Share of UK-origin enquiries |
|---|---|
| UAE | 16.2% |
| Isle of Man | 12.8% |
| Portugal | 11.7% |
| Gibraltar | 5.5% |
| Malta | 4.3% |
The breakdown of what UK clients ask about the UAE is just as telling. Most of them are not asking only about a visa. They want to run a business from the country.
| Topic of UK-origin UAE enquiries | Share |
|---|---|
| Company formation, business licensing, commercial set-up | Nearly 60% |
| Residency, relocation or visas | 21.9% |
| Trusts, foundations and holding companies | 13.9% |
Across all UK-origin enquiries to the group, not only those about the UAE, 42% referenced business or company set-up and 28.9% involved wealth or succession planning. UK-origin enquiries have averaged about 19% of the group’s total leads over the past four years.
Simon Gordon, managing director for the Middle East at Sovereign PPG, told The National that UK-origin enquiries about the UAE dipped between March and May amid the regional conflict, recovered from June and accounted for 20% of UK leads again in September. In his words, tax efficiency may start the conversation, but it is rarely enough to complete the move: connectivity, business infrastructure and access to markets across the Middle East, Asia and Africa matter for families looking for a commercial base.
Why wealthy Britons are reconsidering the UK
The 10th edition of the Saltus Wealth Index Report is based on an online survey conducted in August 2026 among 2,000 UK adults with at least GBP 250,000 in investible assets, excluding their main home. Its key findings:
- 30% of respondents are considering leaving the UK, up from 25% a year earlier.
- 8% are actively exploring a move, while 22% say they may consider one in future; 70% have no plans to leave.
- Confidence in the UK economy has fallen to 56%, from 66% a year ago.
- 40% name possible tax changes as a key risk to their wealth.
The policy background matters. The UK abolished its non-domiciled tax regime in April 2025. Under the replacement foreign income and gains regime, eligible new arrivals who have been non-resident for at least 10 consecutive years can claim relief on qualifying foreign income and gains for their first four years of UK tax residence; after that they are generally taxed on worldwide income and gains. Inheritance tax has also moved to a residence-based system: overseas assets generally fall within scope once a person has been UK-resident for 10 of the previous 20 tax years. According to Mr Gordon, these changes have increased the urgency of conversations with internationally mobile families.
The wider picture of millionaire migration
CitizenX, a Swiss technology and immigration advisory company, forecasts that the UK will lose a net 5,700 millionaires in 2027, below its earlier baseline of 8,600. Henley & Partners and New World Wealth forecast a record 165,000 millionaire relocations worldwide in 2026, with the UAE expected to remain the leading destination for inflows. The National lists the UAE, Switzerland, Italy, Singapore and the US among the countries wealthy Britons are now looking at.
What this means for founders planning a UAE base
The breakdown of enquiries shows that a move to the UAE usually starts with the company, not with the visa. A UAE trade licence gives the business a legal home, a corporate bank account and the basis for residency visas for the owner and the family. The main decisions to take early are:
- Jurisdiction. Mainland companies trade freely across the UAE, while free zone companies suit international trading, consulting and holding activities. Our UAE company formation guide compares the routes step by step.
- Corporate tax. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, taxable income up to AED 375,000 is taxed at 0% and income above that at 9%. Qualifying free zone persons can apply 0% to qualifying income if they meet the conditions.
- Residency. Owners usually obtain an investor or partner visa through their company; the 10-year Golden Visa is available, among other routes, to property investors from AED 2 million. Details are in our UAE residency visa guide.
- Personal tax residency. Under Cabinet Decision No. 85 of 2022, an individual becomes a UAE tax resident after 183 days in the country within a 12-month period, among other criteria. UK residence rules are a separate test, so UK tax advice is needed before the move.
- Wealth structures. Families who ask about trusts and foundations can use the foundation regimes of DIFC, ADGM and DMCC; we covered them in our article on the UAE as a hub for family wealth and succession planning.
Checklist before moving a business to the UAE
- Define the activity and choose between mainland and free zone.
- Prepare passports, proof of address and a short business profile for the licence application.
- Plan the corporate bank account: banks ask for a clear source of funds and real business activity.
- Arrange the investor visa, Emirates ID and visas for family members.
- Agree the timing of the move with a UK tax adviser.
How Atlant Capital can help
Atlant Capital helps founders and families move their business to the UAE. We select the jurisdiction and business activities and register the company on the mainland or in a free zone; see our company setup service. We prepare the documents for the corporate bank account and arrange investor visas and residency for owners, staff and family members. Accounting, VAT and corporate tax filings are handled by licensed accounting firms from our partner network. We do not give UK tax advice.
Conclusion
The UAE took 16.2% of UK-origin enquiries at Sovereign PPG, more than any other destination, and nearly 60% of those enquiries were about setting up a company. The demand comes as 30% of wealthy Britons say they are considering leaving the UK, after the end of the non-dom regime in April 2025 and the move to residence-based inheritance tax. For those who decide to relocate, the first practical step in the UAE is the choice of jurisdiction and the company licence.
Source: The National.
FAQ
Which country do wealthy Britons ask about most when planning to leave the UK?
According to Sovereign PPG Corporate Services data reported on 15 October 2026, the UAE accounted for 16.2% of the group’s UK-origin enquiries, ahead of the Isle of Man at 12.8%, Portugal at 11.7%, Gibraltar at 5.5% and Malta at 4.3%.
What do UK clients ask about when they consider the UAE?
Nearly 60% of UK-origin enquiries about the UAE concerned company formation, business licensing or commercial set-up. A further 21.9% concerned residency, relocation or visas, and 13.9% related to trusts, foundations and holding companies.
How many wealthy Britons are considering leaving the UK?
The 10th Saltus Wealth Index Report, based on an August 2026 survey of 2,000 UK adults with at least GBP 250,000 in investible assets, found that 30% are considering leaving, up from 25% a year earlier. 8% are actively exploring a move and 22% may consider one in future.
What is the corporate tax rate for a UAE company owned by a UK founder?
The same rules apply regardless of the owner’s nationality. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, taxable income up to AED 375,000 is taxed at 0% and income above that threshold at 9%. Qualifying free zone persons can apply 0% to qualifying income if they meet the conditions.
