UK’s abolition of non-dom tax status: How Dubai stands to benefit

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Recently, the UK announced a major overhaul of its non-domicile tax status, a move by the government that marks a significant shift in the nation’s tax policy. Aimed at increasing tax revenue by billions, this change is set to impact the financial planning of the UK’s wealthiest residents, stirring concerns among those who have benefited from the previous tax regime.

By April 2025, a revamped tax regime will take effect, stipulating that all foreign income and gains will become taxable after just four years of UK residence. This effectively abolishes the remittance rule that allowed non-doms to pay tax solely on income brought into the UK. While the overhaul introduces certain concessions, such as 100 per cent tax relief on foreign income for the first four years for new arrivals and a temporary 50 per cent reduction in personal foreign income subject to tax in 2025-26, these benefits will offer little solace. It’s likely that this will not only drive many of the UK’s wealthy out of the country but will also deter new arrivals as the four-year reprieve is not long enough to establish any long-term financial and familial stability.

The existing regime

The current programme, brought in by the ruling Conservative Party, has allowed non-domiciled residents to avoid UK taxes on foreign earnings for up to 15 years, provided these earnings stay abroad.
It’s been a boon for industries ranging from banking to oil, where non-dom status was a common thread among top earners.

According to 2022 research by the London School of Economics and the University of Warwick, over 20 per cent of bankers with earnings exceeding £125,000 have claimed non-dom status at some stage, and high-profile figures such as Stuart Gulliver, former CEO of HSBC, and Michael Ashcroft, a notable businessman and former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, have been among those to utilise this status.

However, with the regime’s revision, these individuals and many others in similar financial positions now face a starkly different fiscal landscape. The sense of financial security that the non-dom status afforded is on its way out, forcing the affluent to consider jurisdictions that offer more favourable tax regimes.

How Dubai stands to benefit

Several other international jurisdictions offer attractive alternatives for the UK’s current wealthy, mobile elite. Monaco and Switzerland, for example, stand out as historic havens, offering tax benefits ranging from zero personal income tax in Monaco to Switzerland’s lump-sum taxation option which can significantly reduce the tax burden on foreign income and wealth.

These nations have long been the refuge of the rich, offering not just financial incentives but also a high standard of living and privacy. Yet, even as these European jurisdictions present compelling cases, the UAE, and particularly Dubai, emerges as an unparalleled destination for the financially savvy and business-orientated elite. Dubai’s appeal lies not just in its tax benefits but also in its robust economy, strategic global location, and ambitious vision for future growth.

The emirate offers a unique blend of modern infrastructure, world-class amenities, and a dynamic business environment, all wrapped in a tax regime that maximises earnings and wealth preservation.

The country levies no personal income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax, presenting a stark contrast to the increasingly restrictive environment in the UK. For companies, the UAE maintains a very competitive corporate tax framework, with free zones offering numerous tax exemptions, including zero corporate tax for businesses operating within their boundaries.

This, combined with the absence of foreign exchange controls, trade barriers, and quotas, makes the UAE an optimal jurisdiction for wealth preservation and capital growth.

Read: Here’s why the UAE is attracting more high-net-worth individuals

UK-UAE share strong ties

Dubai’s allure for the British elite is already well-established. The emirate is home to a vibrant community of around 240,000 UK expatriates and over 1,500 millionaires have made the move from the UK in the last decade, drawn by the emirate’s favourable tax conditions and robust investment opportunities.

In 2023 alone, approximately 250 millionaires chose Dubai as their new home, ranking it as the third most popular destination globally for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). This trend underscores the emirate’s growing reputation as a haven for affluent expatriates seeking both financial advantages and a high quality of life.

The UAE’s proactive approach

The UAE’s attraction is not only in its tax advantages but also in its proactive approach to attracting global talent and investment. Dubai, in particular, has implemented several government policies designed to attract further FDI over recent years to considerable success. Notable among these are the residency and entry reforms introduced in 2019.

This included its ‘Golden Visa’ programme which offers up to 10 years of residency for investors, entrepreneurs, and highly skilled professionals. Rules around obtaining the golden visa through real estate investment have also been relaxed, attracting over Dhs10bn (£2bn) from UK investors in 2022 alone.

The UAE’s strength lies in its forward-thinking approach, always looking at ways to make foreign investment easier and more attractive. The allowance for 100 per cent foreign ownership for all mainland companies, introduced in 2022, is another case in point. Before this, foreign investors were required to have a local Emirati partner who owned at least 51 per cent of the business. This reform has dramatically opened the market, making the UAE, and particularly Dubai, even more attractive to international businesses and investors. The move not only simplifies the process of setting up and running businesses for foreign entrepreneurs but also enhances the UAE’s competitive edge as a global business hub.

The smart choice

With the UK’s tax changes on the horizon, many of its richest are looking for friendlier tax climates before the new rules kick in, and Dubai, with its tax-friendly policies and luxurious lifestyle, stands out as a prime alternative, offering both financial benefits and a high standard of living that the UK’s tax changes threaten to compromise.

This is likely to catalyse a wave of high-net-worth individuals moving to Dubai and will not only inject substantial capital into the emirate’s real estate and business markets but also underscore its status as a vibrant hub for global wealth and enterprise.

The writer is the CEO of Creative Zone.