The United Arab Emirates has moved into the top tier of residence destinations after a rise in the 2026 Global Residence Program Index published by Henley & Partners. The country climbed from fifth place last year to joint second, marking its first entry into the top three since the index began.
The ranking forms part of Henley & Partners’ Residence and Citizenship Programs report. The report compares 40 residence programmes selected from more than 100 across regions. Immigration specialists, academics, economists and country-risk experts assess each programme using criteria that include reputation, quality of life, compliance standards, investment requirements, tax efficiency, processing quality and mobility outcomes.
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The rise signals a shift in where investors and families choose to base their lives. European destinations still hold many top spots, but their lead is facing pressure from locations outside the region. Henley & Partners said the 2026 index reflects changes in how mobile wealth and talent plan long-term residence.
Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners, said the data showed a change in momentum. “Together, the 2026 results reflect a structural evolution: Europe remains highly attractive, but its relative dominance is declining,” he said. “Forward-thinking countries such as Singapore and the UAE are engaging strategically with globally mobile investors.”
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In the index, Greece retained first place with a score of 73. The UAE shared second place on 72 points with Italy and Switzerland. The ranking placed the UAE ahead of destinations including Portugal, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United States.
Henley & Partners linked the UAE’s rise to several structural factors. The firm said the country’s role as a centre for mobile capital has expanded, supported by policies aimed at investors and entrepreneurs. The report also pointed to tax efficiency, noting that the UAE ranked among jurisdictions that offer advantages in this area, alongside Monaco and Saudi Arabia.
The report placed the UAE in the top tier for quality of life alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Switzerland. It also cited clarity in residence pathways and consistent policy signals as elements that support confidence among families planning long-term relocation.
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These programmes are now central to national economic planning in many countries. Juerg Steffen, chief executive officer of Henley & Partners, said governments are using such frameworks to shape long-term strategy rather than short-term revenue. “Governments are deploying these frameworks to secure long-term advantage by attracting entrepreneurs, investors and internationally mobile families who contribute to innovation and growth,” he said.
Henley & Partners reported that projections for 2026 show a rise in cross-border relocation by high-net-worth individuals and families. Over the past 12 months, the firm onboarded clients from 95 countries. The trend indicates that structured domicile planning is becoming more common among households that operate across borders.
The ranking also has meaning for residents already living in the country. It strengthens the perception of the UAE as a long-term base rather than a short posting. The report pointed to legal certainty, infrastructure and defined residence pathways as factors that support the country’s appeal to professionals and business owners.
Dubai has also featured in wealth rankings. Dubai entered the top 20 wealthiest cities last year, according to the World’s Wealthiest Cities Report 2025 by Henley & Partners in partnership with New World Wealth. The result reinforced the city’s role in attracting capital, entrepreneurs and companies seeking regional hubs.
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Dominic Volek, group head of private clients at Henley & Partners, said wealth is moving across borders at a rapid pace. “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.”
The 2026 rankings also highlight a wider spread of residence destinations across the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. This spread shows that more regions are competing to attract talent and capital through structured residence options.
For the UAE, entry into the top three marks a milestone in how it is viewed by investors and mobile families deciding where to live and invest. The shift suggests that residence policy, tax structure and infrastructure are shaping choices in ways that affect migration patterns, business decisions and long-term settlement plans.
