Guide

Dubai for High Net Worth Individuals

You've built significant wealth and want a tax-efficient, safe, and globally connected base. Here's how Dubai works for HNWI — from Golden Visas to wealth structuring and the premium lifestyle you're looking for.

25 min read • Updated December 2025

What's in this guide

Is Dubai right for HNWI?

Dubai has become one of the world's premier destinations for high net worth individuals. But it's not for everyone. Here's an honest assessment.

✓ Dubai works well if you...

• Have liquid assets of $2M+ or annual income of $500K+
• Want zero income, capital gains, and inheritance tax
• Value safety, infrastructure, and convenience
• Need a central hub for global business
• Want access to premium lifestyle and services
• Prefer a cosmopolitan, international environment
• Have businesses or investments across multiple regions

⚠ Dubai might not fit if you...

• Need a deep cultural or arts scene
• Dislike heat (summers hit 45°C+)
• Want walkable European-style cities
• Prioritize old-world charm over modern luxury
• Have US citizenship (still taxed globally)
• Want complete political freedom of expression
• Prefer laid-back, slow-paced environments

ℹ️The HNWI reality

Dubai now ranks among the top 5 cities globally for HNWI migration, with over 4,500 millionaires moving here in 2023 alone. The combination of tax efficiency, safety, and lifestyle creates a unique proposition that's hard to replicate elsewhere.

Golden Visa pathways

The UAE Golden Visa grants 10-year residency with no sponsor requirement and the ability to live outside the UAE for extended periods without losing status. For HNWI, there are three main pathways.

🏠

Property Investment Route

The most straightforward path for HNWI. Purchase property worth AED 2M+ and qualify immediately.

Minimum investment

AED 2,000,000 (~$545,000)

Property type

Freehold, ready or off-plan

Mortgage allowed?

Yes, if equity ≥ AED 2M

Processing time

2-4 weeks

📈

Public Investment Route

Invest in a UAE-approved fund or deposit in a UAE bank. More liquid than property.

Minimum investment

AED 2,000,000 (~$545,000)

Investment type

Approved fund or fixed deposit

Lock-in period

3 years minimum

Processing time

4-6 weeks

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Entrepreneur Route

If you own a business valued at AED 2M+ or have significant stake in a successful company.

Business valuation

AED 2,000,000+ or approved startup

Requirements

Government approval of project

Track record

Previous successful exit or funding

Processing time

6-8 weeks

✓Golden Visa benefits

10-year residency • No sponsor required • Stay outside UAE up to 6 months • Sponsor family members including parents • 100% business ownership • Work permit included • Path to citizenship (under consideration)

Property investment

Dubai's property market offers strong yields compared to other global cities, with no property tax and relatively low transaction costs. Here's what HNWI should know.

Area	Type	Price/sqft	Yield	Notes
Palm Jumeirah	Ultra-luxury	AED 3,500-6,000	3-5%	Iconic, waterfront, strong appreciation
Emirates Hills	Villas	AED 2,500-4,500	2-4%	"Beverly Hills of Dubai", gated
Dubai Hills	Mixed luxury	AED 1,800-2,800	5-6%	Family-friendly, golf course
Downtown Dubai	Apartments	AED 2,200-3,500	5-7%	Prime location, Burj views
Jumeirah Bay	Super-prime	AED 4,500-8,000	3-4%	Exclusive island, billionaire row
DIFC	Luxury apts	AED 2,500-3,500	5-6%	Financial district, walkable

Transaction costs

DLD registration fee4%
Agent commission2%
NOC fee (if applicable)AED 500-5,000
Trustee feeAED 4,000
Total (approx)~7-8%

Ongoing costs

Property tax0%
Service chargesAED 15-50/sqft/year
DEWA (utilities)AED 800-3,000/month
District coolingAED 500-2,500/month
Capital gains tax0%

⚠️Off-plan considerations

Dubai's off-plan market offers payment plans (often 60% during construction, 40% on handover) and potential appreciation. However, delays happen. Stick with reputable developers like Emaar, Nakheel, Meraas, and DAMAC for premium projects. Always verify RERA registration and escrow account details.

Wealth management & private banking

Dubai has become a significant wealth management hub, with all major global private banks present. Here's what to expect.

Bank	Min AUM	Specialization	Notes
HSBC Private Banking	$2M+	Global connectivity	Strong Asia/UK links
UBS	$5M+	Wealth structuring	Swiss heritage, global reach
Credit Suisse (UBS)	$5M+	Investment banking	Now merged with UBS
Julius Baer	$3M+	Pure private banking	Swiss, strong in ME
Lombard Odier	$5M+	Sustainable investing	Swiss, family-owned
Emirates NBD Private	$1M+	Regional expertise	Local, UAE-focused
Mashreq Private	$1M+	Regional expertise	Strong GCC network
Standard Chartered PB	$2M+	Emerging markets	Good for Africa/Asia exposure

What private banks offer in Dubai

Investment management

Discretionary and advisory portfolios, access to global markets, alternative investments

Credit facilities

Lombard lending against portfolios, property financing, aircraft/yacht financing

Wealth structuring

Trust services, foundation setup, multi-jurisdictional planning

Lifestyle services

Concierge, art advisory, philanthropy guidance, family governance

ℹ️DIFC advantage

Many private banks operate from DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre), which has its own common-law legal system, independent regulator (DFSA), and courts. This provides an additional layer of legal certainty for wealth management relationships. DIFC also allows USD-denominated accounts and follows international banking standards.

Family office setup

For UHNWI managing $30M+, setting up a family office in Dubai provides centralized control, professional management, and access to the UAE's favorable regulatory environment.

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DIFC Single Family Office

Purpose-built regime for family wealth management.

• Minimum AUM: $10M
• Setup cost: $15,000-25,000
• Annual license: $12,000
• Regulated by DFSA
• Can manage family investments globally
• Common law jurisdiction

🏢

ADGM Family Office

Abu Dhabi's alternative with competitive offerings.

• Minimum AUM: No minimum
• Setup cost: $10,000-20,000
• Annual license: $10,000
• Regulated by FSRA
• English common law
• Growing ecosystem

Family office services typically include

Investment

• Portfolio management
• Direct investments
• Real estate oversight
• Private equity access

Administration

• Consolidated reporting
• Bill payment
• Insurance management
• Record keeping

Family

• Succession planning
• Next-gen education
• Philanthropy
• Family governance

✓Cost efficiency

Running a family office from Dubai typically costs 30-50% less than comparable setups in London, Singapore, or Switzerland, while providing similar regulatory standards and global connectivity.

Tax & estate planning

The UAE's tax environment remains one of the most favorable globally for HNWI. However, planning is essential to ensure you don't accidentally trigger tax obligations elsewhere.

Tax type	UAE rate	Notes
Personal income tax	0%	No tax on salary, dividends, interest
Capital gains tax	0%	No tax on investment gains
Inheritance tax	0%	But Sharia law applies to Muslims by default
Gift tax	0%	No restrictions on gifts
Wealth tax	0%	No annual wealth tax
Corporate tax	9%	Above AED 375K profit (2023+)
VAT	5%	On goods and services

Key planning considerations

→

Tax residency certificate

Obtain a UAE Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) to prove your status to other jurisdictions. Requires 180+ days in UAE. Essential for treaty benefits.

→

Break previous tax residency

Simply moving isn't enough. You need to properly exit your previous tax jurisdiction to avoid continued obligations. Get professional advice for your specific situation.

Central

Heart of Dubai. Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and walkable urban living. Premium apartments with iconic views.

Penthouse

AED 20M-150M

Luxury apt

AED 5M-20M

Vibe

Urban, vibrant

Best for

Urban lifestyle

Luxury lifestyle

Dubai is built for premium living. Here's what the lifestyle looks like at the top end.

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Clubs & memberships

Emirates Golf ClubAED 30K-50K/yr
Dubai Creek GolfAED 25K-40K/yr
Dubai Polo ClubAED 40K-80K/yr
Capital Club DIFCAED 15K-25K/yr
Dubai Marina Yacht ClubAED 20K-40K/yr

🛥️

Yachting

Berth rental (40-60ft)AED 50K-150K/yr
Berth rental (80ft+)AED 200K-500K/yr
Popular marinas:
Dubai Marina, D-Marin, Bulgari Marina, Palm Marina

🍽️

Fine dining

Dinner at top restaurantAED 800-2,000/person
Notable establishments:
TRESIND Studio (2★), Ossiano, Nobu, Zuma, La Petite Maison, Dinner by Heston, Trèsind, Il Ristorante, Armani/Ristorante

✈️

Private aviation

Dubai → London (light jet)AED 150-200K
Dubai → MumbaiAED 80-120K
FBOs: Al Maktoum VIP Terminal, Jetex, ExecuJet

Villa rental (Emirates Hills)AED 60,000

Staff (housekeeper, driver)AED 15,000

Children's education (2 kids)AED 12,000

Cars (2 premium vehicles)AED 8,000

Dining & entertainmentAED 15,000

TravelAED 20,000

Club membershipsAED 5,000

Personal shoppingAED 15,000

Note: This assumes ownership of vehicles. Lease would add AED 10-15K/month.

Mansion (Palm/Jumeirah Bay)AED 150,000

Full household staffAED 35,000

Children's education (elite)AED 20,000

Fleet (chauffeur service)AED 25,000

Fine dining & eventsAED 40,000

Private jet share/charterAED 100,000

Yacht berth & maintenanceAED 30,000

Luxury shopping & artAED 50,000

Note: Variable costs like art and travel can swing this significantly.

Private healthcare & concierge

Dubai offers world-class private healthcare with international hospital networks, executive health programs, and concierge medical services.

Hospital	Specialty	Insurance	Notes
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi	Multi-specialty	All major	US-standard, 30 min from Dubai
Mediclinic City Hospital	Comprehensive	All major	DIFC location, excellent facilities
American Hospital Dubai	Multi-specialty	Most accepted	Long-established, US protocols
King's College Hospital	General + specialty	All major	UK healthcare standards
Valiant Clinic	Boutique premium	Select/direct pay	Concierge-style care
Emirates Hospital	Multi-specialty	All major	Premium facilities, Marina location

Executive health programs

Annual executive checkupAED 5,000-15,000
Comprehensive screeningAED 15,000-30,000
Longevity assessmentAED 25,000-50,000
Many executives do annual checkups at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi or German clinics (2hr flight).

Premium insurance

International coverage (family)AED 80K-200K/yr
ProvidersCigna, Bupa, AXA
Top-tier plans cover global treatment including US, evacuation, and repatriation.

ℹ️Concierge services

For UHNWI, companies like Quintessentially, Velocity Black, and local firms like The One Concierge handle everything from restaurant reservations to medical appointments, private jet bookings, and event access. Annual memberships range from AED 50,000 to AED 500,000+ depending on service level.

From HNWI who made the move

“After selling my company, I evaluated Singapore, Monaco, and Dubai. Dubai won on tax efficiency, lifestyle, and being able to reach both Europe and Asia easily. Two years in, no regrets.”

Jonathan R. — Tech founder, relocated from UK

“The Golden Visa through property was the easiest residency I've ever obtained. Bought a villa, had the visa in three weeks. My accountant was more impressed than I was.”

Maria S. — Family office principal, from Brazil

“I was skeptical about the lifestyle - thought it would feel artificial. But the infrastructure is genuinely excellent, the safety is real, and my kids love their school. It works.”

David K. — Private equity partner, from Hong Kong

Common questions

For HNWI lifestyle, most people find $5M+ in liquid assets provides comfort. This allows for premium housing, full-time staff, international school fees, and regular travel without lifestyle constraints. Below $2M, you're better suited to our Professional or Entrepreneur guides.

Yes, with caveats. Banks are well-regulated, and DIFC/ADGM provide common-law legal frameworks. However, diversification is wise - many HNWI maintain relationships with Swiss, Singapore, and US institutions alongside Dubai. Political stability has been excellent, but concentration risk applies everywhere.

Introduced in 2023, the 9% corporate tax applies to businesses with profits above AED 375,000. For personal wealth (investments, capital gains, dividends), there's still no tax. Family offices and holding structures can be designed to minimize impact. It's still far better than most alternatives.

Spend 183+ days per year in UAE to be safe. Keep evidence: flight records, utility bills, bank statements, club memberships. Get a Tax Residency Certificate annually. Avoid maintaining strong ties (homes, businesses) in high-tax jurisdictions.

Yes. You can sponsor household staff on domestic worker visas. Process takes 2-4 weeks. Minimum wage requirements apply. Many HNWI bring trusted staff from previous locations or hire through Dubai agencies. Expect to pay AED 3,000-8,000/month for experienced household staff.

Dubai is crypto-friendly. VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority) provides licensing. No capital gains tax on crypto. Major exchanges have Dubai offices. However, banking relationships for crypto wealth can be challenging - work with private banks experienced in this area.

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