Why Wealth Managers Are Moving to Dubai: What It Means for You
June 12, 2025
Dubai has become one of the fastest-growing wealth hubs in the world. Here's why.
If you’ve been hearing more about private banks, investment advisers, and wealth managers
setting up shop in Dubai, you're not imagining it. Dubai has become one of the fastest-growing wealth hubs in the world, especially for British and European advisers.
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In the last year alone, over 60 new wealth management firms have opened offices in Dubai’s International Financial Centre (DIFC).
But why is this happening, and what does it mean if you're a high net worth individual, entrepreneur, or investor living in the UAE?
Why Dubai?
Dubai offers something many wealth managers are now struggling to find elsewhere: a stable, tax-efficient, and business-friendly environment.
While the UK has tightened its tax rules, especially for non-doms and those using trusts or complex structures, the UAE has continued to attract wealth with:
- 0% personal income tax
- No capital gains tax
- A strong legal framework under English common law (via DIFC)
- High quality of life and global connectivity
For clients, this makes Dubai an appealing base. For wealth managers, it’s an opportunity they can’t ignore.
What Wealth Managers Are Offering in Dubai
With this surge in presence comes increased service availability for clients. If you're living in the UAE or spending part of the year here, you can now access:
- Discretionary investment management
- Estate and succession planning
- Family office services
- Tax-efficient structures and cross-border advice
- Advice on UK IHT (Inheritance Tax) and pensions
These services used to be hard to find locally, but not anymore.
Who's Coming to Dubai?
The influx includes private banks and traditional discretionary fund managers, but also:
- Boutique investment firms
- Wealth tech platforms (offering digital tools for investing)
- Global tax advisers
The DIFC now hosts more than 410 wealth and asset management firms, up from 350 the previous year. New entrants include British firms reacting to UK tax changes and seeking to serve their clients abroad.
Why It Matters to UAE Residents
If you’re based in the UAE, especially as a British expat or someone with international assets, this is a golden opportunity to get high-quality wealth advice
locally.
Key reasons to take action now:
- UK tax changes are affecting British expats
- Inheritance planning is more important than ever
- The local market now has more competition, which often leads to better client service
- You no longer need to fly to London or rely on Zoom calls to manage your finances; top-tier advice is available here in Dubai.
Questions You Should Be Asking
- Is my current investment portfolio set up for UAE tax rules?
- How will UK inheritance tax apply to my estate?
- Should I structure assets through an offshore trust or foundation?
- Is my UK pension protected and efficient?
- Could I benefit from working with a local adviser who understands both the UAE and UK systems?
Final Thoughts
Dubai is no longer just a luxury destination or business stopover; it’s now a full-fledged global wealth centre. With top international firms setting up operations here, clients in the UAE now have access to world-class advice right on their doorstep.
Whether you’re planning for retirement, protecting family wealth, or exploring new investment opportunities, this is a perfect time to act.
At Mosaic Chambers Group, we specialise in helping UAE-based clients structure, grow, and protect their wealth. From inheritance planning to UK tax exposure, our team of dual-qualified advisers can offer practical advice with no jargon.
Contact us today to book a confidential conversation with one of our experienced UAE wealth advisers.
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