Bota Posted on 2026-04-08 10:29:00

The rich are leaving Dubai - What is the new "hot" place for the global elite?

From Dorian Koça

The rich are leaving Dubai - What is the new "hot" place for the

Until a few weeks ago, Dubai was considered the obvious destination for wealthy Britons looking for a new base. The opportunity to earn large tax-free income and spend it on luxury hotels, restaurants and shops made the city attractive.

However, as the UAE has come under Iranian pressure, Dubai's image as a safe haven for the global elite is beginning to fade. Investors are now turning their eyes to Europe, with Milan emerging as a top choice.

According to analysts, Italy offers the best benefits: a flat tax rate and a high quality of life. Those leaving the UAE can easily imagine their lives in Rome or Milan, international and cosmopolitan centers.

Milan, already a hub for Europe's bankers, lawyers and investors, is increasingly attracting wealthy foreigners. Italy's tax regime allows new residents to pay an annual tax of 300,000 euros on all foreign income, a minimal amount for the very wealthy.

The new influx of capital is driving up property prices in Milan. According to Knight Frank, prices have risen by 38% in five years, with the city overtaking Venice as the most expensive in Italy. Italy also has a program called “Rientro dei cervelli,” or “Brain Return,” that allows new residents, or returnees, to be taxed on only 50% of their income for five years.

However, the question remains: can Milan replace Dubai as the new center of the global elite? Analysts are cautiously optimistic, declaring that Dubai will recover. It may no longer meet everyone's needs, but few places in the world offer the same combination of opportunities and quality of life.

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