Henley 2026: UAE posts quickest rise among global residence programmes.
Dubai: The UAE has entered the top tier of global residence destinations, achieving the fastest rise in the 2026 Global Residence Program Index published by Henley & Partners. The country jumped from fifth place last year to a joint second, marking its first-ever appearance in the top three since the index began.
The rankings are part of Henley & Partners’ annual Residence and Citizenship Programs report, which evaluates 40 leading residence programs selected from over 100 worldwide. Each program is independently assessed by immigration specialists, academics, economists, and country-risk experts, using criteria such as reputation, quality of life, compliance standards, investment requirements, tax efficiency, processing quality, and mobility benefits.
Global preferences shift
Henley & Partners noted that the 2026 results reflect a broader shift in how globally mobile investors and families choose their residence. While European destinations remain dominant, their long-standing lead is increasingly being challenged by jurisdictions outside the region.
Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners, said the data reflected a clear shift in momentum. “The 2026 results reflect a structural evolution: Europe remains highly attractive, but its relative dominance is declining,” he noted. “Forward-thinking countries such as Singapore and the UAE are engaging strategically with globally mobile investors.”
In the latest index, Greece retained first place with a score of 73, continuing its position as the world’s top residence-by-investment destination. The UAE shared second place with Italy and Switzerland, scoring 72 points, ahead of countries including Portugal, Australia, Canada, the UK, Singapore, and the United States.
What drove the UAE’s rise
Henley & Partners attributed the UAE’s jump in the rankings to several structural factors that have strengthened its position as a global residence destination:
- Global wealth hub status: The UAE’s rise reflects its growing role as a centre for internationally mobile capital, supported by policies designed to attract investors and entrepreneurs.
- Tax competitiveness: The UAE ranks among the strongest jurisdictions globally for tax efficiency, alongside Monaco and Saudi Arabia, enhancing its appeal to high-net-worth individuals.
- Quality of life: The report placed the UAE in the top tier for quality of life, alongside countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
- Regulatory flexibility and clarity: Clear residence pathways and consistent policy signals were cited as key factors fostering long-term confidence among internationally mobile families.
Residencies go mainstream
The findings come as residence and citizenship programs increasingly play a central role in national economic planning. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, said governments are now treating these frameworks as long-term strategic tools rather than short-term revenue measures.
“Governments are deploying these frameworks to secure long-term advantage by attracting entrepreneurs, investors, and internationally mobile families who contribute to innovation and growth,” Steffen said.
Henley & Partners noted that projections for 2026 indicate an unprecedented level of cross-border relocation by high-net-worth individuals and families. Over the past 12 months, the firm has onboarded clients from 95 countries, highlighting a growing trend in structured domicile planning among globally mobile households.
How this affects everyone
For residents already living in the UAE, the ranking reinforces the country’s position as a long-term base rather than a temporary posting. The report highlights factors such as legal certainty, robust infrastructure, and clearly defined residence pathways as key drivers of the UAE’s growing appeal to international professionals and business owners.
Dominic Volek, Group Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, noted that wealth is increasingly flowing to jurisdictions that offer stability and credibility. “Wealth is relocating at an unprecedented pace,” he said. “Where it ultimately concentrates will depend on how credibly countries design immigration frameworks for investors, entrepreneurs, and wealthy families.”
Henley & Partners stated that the 2026 rankings highlight a widening geographic spread of competitive residence destinations, with strong new contenders emerging across the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Within this context, the UAE’s rise into the top three marks a significant shift in how it is perceived by global investors and internationally mobile families deciding where to live and invest.
