An IMGlobalWealth.com News Report
As governments compete to attract affluent individuals, a new report suggests the global contest for wealth is increasingly being shaped by tax policy, stability, quality of life, and access to alternative residence and citizenship options.
“The United States presents a paradox. While it remains the world’s largest creator of private wealth, demand from affluent Americans for residence and citizenship planning abroad continues to rise sharply”
Key Takeaways
- Singapore leads the global race for mobile wealth, with New Zealand, Italy, Switzerland, Greece and Hong Kong also emerging as highly attractive destinations for wealthy individuals and families.
- The UK, Germany and France are facing growing competitiveness challenges, as tax reforms, fiscal uncertainty and changing policy environments encourage affluent residents to explore alternatives abroad.
- Wealthy individuals are no longer choosing a single country. Increasingly, they are building diversified “sovereign portfolios” that combine multiple residences, citizenships, investments and business interests across jurisdictions.
- The United States presents a paradox. While it remains the world’s largest creator of private wealth, demand from affluent Americans for residence and citizenship planning abroad continues to rise sharply.
- The UAE remains a leading wealth hub, despite regional tensions. Most wealthy residents are not leaving but are seeking additional residence and citizenship options as part of broader contingency planning.
- Greece has benefited from changes to Europe’s investment migration landscape, attracting increased interest following Spain’s Golden Visa closure and Portugal’s withdrawal of its real estate-linked investment route.
- Tax competitiveness, political stability, quality of life and legal certainty are increasingly outweighing traditional considerations when wealthy families choose where to live, invest and establish long-term roots.
- The report introduces a new Global Wealth Mobility Framework, assessing countries on factors such as taxation, rule of law, investor migration pathways, family inclusion, geopolitical stability and capital mobility.
- Global wealth is becoming more mobile and strategic, with high-net-worth individuals managing jurisdictional exposure in much the same way institutional investors diversify investment portfolios.
- The competition for talent, entrepreneurs and investors is intensifying, as governments increasingly recognise that attracting wealthy individuals can also bring innovation, employment, business creation and economic growth.
According to the latest Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2026*, published by Henley & Partners, a leading international investment migration consultancy specialising in residence and citizenship-by-investment advisory services, jurisdictions such as Singapore, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Hong Kong and New Zealand are strengthening their appeal among internationally mobile investors and entrepreneurs. By contrast, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Norway and South Korea are facing growing competitive pressures as tax reforms, fiscal uncertainty and regulatory changes prompt wealthy families to reconsider their long-term plans.
The report argues that affluent individuals are no longer simply relocating from one country to another. Instead, many are building what Henley & Partners describes as ‘sovereign portfolios’, combining multiple residences, citizenships, investments and business interests across several jurisdictions. In the first five months of 2026 alone, the firm received applications from 86 nationalities across 47 investment migration programmes, with more than a quarter of applicants already living outside their country of nationality.
A key innovation in this year’s report is the introduction of the Global Wealth Mobility Framework, which assesses jurisdictions across factors such as taxation, rule of law, quality of life, geopolitical stability, family inclusion and investor migration pathways.
Singapore emerged as one of the strongest performers, benefiting from political stability and deep capital markets, while New Zealand has seen renewed interest following reforms to its Active Investor Plus Visa Programme. Italy also stands out in Europe, helped by its flat-tax regime, favourable inheritance tax framework and growing status as a financial hub. Greece has gained momentum following Spain’s closure of its Golden Visa programme and Portugal’s withdrawal of its real-estate investment route.
“The UAE remains a leading wealth hub, despite regional tensions. Most wealthy residents are not leaving but are seeking additional residence and citizenship options as part of broader contingency planning”
The report also highlights changing patterns in traditional wealth centres. Applications from UK-based individuals have risen sharply in recent years, a trend attributed to the abolition of the non-dom tax regime, changes to inheritance tax treatment and broader policy uncertainty. Germany and France continue to benefit from strong institutions but face growing concerns over tax competitiveness and long-term fiscal predictability.
Meanwhile, the United States presents a paradox. Although it remains the world’s largest creator of private wealth, demand from American citizens for residence and citizenship planning has surged, reflecting a desire for greater international optionality. The UAE, despite regional tensions, continues to rank among the world’s most attractive destinations for mobile wealth, with demand focused more on diversification and contingency planning than relocation.
The report’s broader conclusion is that globally mobile wealth is increasingly seeking flexibility. In a more uncertain world, the ability to live, invest and operate across multiple jurisdictions has become as important as the wealth itself.
*You can download the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2026 from here: Link
