The United Arab Emirates is quickly becoming one of the world’s top destinations for family offices, with tax incentives, pro-crypto regulations, and streamlined business processes drawing ultra-wealthy individuals from around the globe.
British tech entrepreneur Kingsley Advani, who left the UK a decade ago citing “poor governance, a weak tax regime, and an unfriendly business environment,” now runs his own family office from Dubai. Alongside managing his wealth, he operates a co-investment platform for other family offices.
Advani says the UAE’s 10-year golden visa, efficient paperwork, and openness to digital assets tipped the scales in its favour over Singapore. “We’re seeing a clear shift of family offices and millionaires from Singapore to the UAE, partly because the Emirates is more pro-crypto. Setting up entities here is also getting faster.”
That migration is reflected in the numbers. According to the Wealth Migration Report 2025 by Henley & Partners and New World Wealth, the UAE is expected to attract a record 9,800 millionaires this year. Dubai alone is home to over 81,000 millionaires and 20 billionaires, while the UK is projected to lose 16,500 HNWIs in the same period — the largest net outflow globally in a decade.
Why the UAE?
Family offices are choosing the UAE for its tax-free environment, safety, family-friendly lifestyle, and proximity to Asia. “Building a family office in the US can cost 10 times more,” Advani notes. “Here, talent is world-class and cost-effective — you can hire top investment, legal, and structuring professionals, many from India, who are willing to work at levels of intensity uncommon elsewhere.”
Arjun Mittal, founder of Abbey Road Investment Group, says the UAE now rivals Singapore, Hong Kong, and Geneva as a wealth hub. “The ecosystem here has matured rapidly. You have top-tier investment advisers, lawyers, and hedge fund talent all in one place.”
Who Is Moving and What They Want
The influx isn’t limited to Europe — wealthy families from Africa, South Asia, and other regions are increasingly redomiciling to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Blockchain entrepreneur Shalini Wood relocated from the Netherlands with her family in 2023, citing the UAE’s business-friendly rules, global connectivity, and high quality of life.
“The UAE’s regulatory frameworks in DIFC and ADGM, full foreign ownership options, and political stability create a compelling package,” she says. “It’s seamless — we were able to scale quickly after moving.”
Investment and Hiring Trends
Regional family offices still invest heavily in public markets but are now tilting toward private equity, venture capital, private credit, and even small crypto allocations. The next generation is also betting on cutting-edge tech, backing companies like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic.
This surge has created strong demand for talent. Family offices are hiring strategy consultants from Bain, McKinsey, and BCG, as well as ex-military professionals for chief-of-staff roles. Salaries for executive assistants and finance roles typically range from AED 30,000–50,000 per month, with many firms actively relocating talent from London.
A Discreet but Connected Community
Despite their low-key profile, wealthy families are building networks. Private wealth clubs and global family office conferences are flourishing in Dubai, giving principals and next-gen leaders a chance to connect, exchange ideas, and explore co-investments.
As Mittal puts it: “The UAE has built a place where the wealthy can live, work, and invest with confidence. The momentum is undeniable.”
