Great Wealth Migration ramps up as 35% of HNWs consider relocation
An estimated 35% of high-net-worth individuals are actively considering relocating to another lower-tax country, reveal new findings.
deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organizations, reports that more than a third of its 80,000-strong base of primarily wealthy clients, particularly from the UK, parts of Europe, Australia, and some Asian and African jurisdictions, are seeking advice on where to move themselves, families, and/or business operations to secure a lower tax burden.
The data confirms what is becoming increasingly evident across global advisory networks: the acceleration of the Great Wealth Migration.
Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, says: “The Great Wealth Migration is gathering pace.
“High-net-worth individuals are reassessing where they base themselves and their assets in response to tax changes, geopolitical tension and policy unpredictability.
“This is structured, deliberate planning.”
Internal advisory trends show a marked increase in enquiries relating to tax residency restructuring, domicile review, second residency rights and cross-border corporate realignment.
“Conversations that once centred on optimization are now centred on risk.” management.
Three dominant forces are driving this shift.
First, jurisdictional risk is now a core wealth variable
“Tax exposure is no longer treated as static. Changes to capital gains tax (CGT), inheritance frameworks and preferential regimes in several mature economies have highlighted how rapidly fiscal conditions can change.
“Clients are restructuring legal and residency arrangements to avoid excessive exposure to a single tax regime or political system.
“Policy direction can shift within a single political cycle. Families want certainty and structural flexibility. Concentrated jurisdictional exposure now carries measurable financial risk.”
Second, relocation is increasingly defensive
“Previous waves of cross-border mobility were largely driven by expansion and growth opportunities. Today’s movement reflects wealth preservation and asset protection priorities.
“Safeguarding generational wealth, ensuring operational continuity and reducing vulnerability to sudden legislative shifts are central motivations.
“Succession planning features prominently in relocation discussions. Families are reviewing inheritance exposure, trust structures, and intergenerational asset transfer mechanisms in parallel with residency decisions.
Third, capital is clustering around policy predictability
“The Great Wealth Migration is not random. Interest is concentrating in jurisdictions offering fiscal clarity, strong legal systems and long-term policy stability.
“Regions combining competitive tax regimes with institutional robustness are seeing sustained inbound demand from globally mobile wealth.”
The United Arab Emirates continues to attract attention due to its zero personal income tax and long-term residency frameworks. Select European hubs and Asian financial centres offering regulatory stability are also drawing increased interest from internationally active families.
Entrepreneurs are evaluating corporate headquarters moves, alternative holding structures and operational re-domiciliation strategies to optimise after-tax returns and strengthen strategic positioning.
Nigel Green notes: “Wealth moves toward stability. When investors perceive policy volatility, they seek jurisdictions where rules are transparent, predictable, and favourable”
The scale of movement is notable. Global trends indicate rising millionaire outflows from higher-tax jurisdictions alongside record inflows into policy-stable destinations. deVere’s client data reflects the same directional pattern.
Importantly, relocation decisions are complex. Double taxation treaties, substance requirements, reporting obligations and long-term residency qualification rules must be carefully assessed. Structured professional advice is essential to ensure compliance and effective execution.
Nigel Green concludes: “The Great Wealth Migration represents rational thinking in response to evolving global risk. Wealthy individuals are planning ahead.
“They’re making strategic decisions about where to live, operate and structure assets to enhance long-term wealth resilience, protection and growth.”