Industry News & Insights

Wealthy individuals from across the globe are increasingly setting their sights on Dubai and Abu Dhabi, undeterred by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. At firms like Abbey Road Investment Group in Dubai, interest is surging from potential clients spanning India, the UK, the US, Africa, and even Brazil. Their aim is to establish family offices in the UAE — drawn by its favorable tax regime, strategic location, and rapidly evolving financial infrastructure.

The United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has emerged as a preferred destination for global high-net-worth individuals. Economic instability in Europe and changing tax policies in the UK are prompting many to relocate or diversify their holdings. Chinese investors, traditionally focused on markets like Singapore, are also expanding their attention to the Gulf.

Despite the UAE’s proximity to flashpoints like Iran — highlighted by recent missile exchanges between Iran and Israel — the country continues to attract significant foreign wealth. Investors appear willing to look past the risks, perceiving the UAE as a stable, neutral hub in the region.

In fact, the inflow of wealth has shown no signs of slowing. Dubai’s international financial center now hosts over 800 family-related entities, controlling an estimated $1.2 trillion in assets. This growth is also fueling the luxury property market, with high-end home sales surpassing $2.6 billion in Q2 2025 — a 37% rise from the previous quarter.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi continues to expand its financial ecosystem, recently welcoming hundreds of new entities, including family offices. The emirate is positioning itself as a key player in global finance and innovation, particularly in AI and hedge funds, with international giants setting up operations there.

The UAE is expected to attract around 9,800 new millionaires this year — more than any other country — according to estimates. The private banking sector is evolving rapidly to meet this demand, with major global banks increasing their presence and hiring in the region.

Even as regional threats remain a concern — such as potential attacks on infrastructure — affluent individuals are taking a diversified approach. Family offices typically allocate only part of their assets to the UAE while maintaining a global strategy to hedge against volatility.

Chinese interest is particularly notable. One advisory firm reported that about 20% of the family offices they’ve helped establish have ties to China. In some cases, wealthy Chinese families have shifted investments away from the US due to economic concerns, reallocating funds to Dubai instead of Singapore, which has recently tightened its regulatory environment.

While Singapore remains a major hub for Asian wealth, the UAE is increasingly viewed as a competitive alternative. For many wealthy families, the draw of the UAE lies in the contrast between its growing economic opportunities and the challenges faced in their home countries. The region’s risks, while present, are often seen as comparable or even preferable to those elsewhere — and for many, risk tolerance remains a relative measure.