An estimated 35% of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are actively considering relocating to a lower-tax country, according to findings released by deVere Group on February 16, 2026.
The firm said more than a third of its client base—about 80,000 people, largely affluent clients—have recently sought guidance on potential moves for themselves, their families, and in some cases business operations. deVere said enquiries have been particularly frequent among clients linked to the UK, parts of Europe, Australia, and selected jurisdictions in Asia and Africa.
Nigel Green, chief executive of deVere Group, attributed the trend to a combination of tax policy changes, geopolitical tensions, and what he described as increased uncertainty in policymaking. He said decisions are increasingly framed as risk management rather than routine tax optimization.
deVere said internal advisory patterns show rising interest in tax residency restructuring, domicile reviews, second-residency pathways, and cross-border corporate realignment. The firm presented these enquiries as evidence of what it called an acceleration in the “Great Wealth Migration,” a term used to describe increased cross-border mobility among wealthy individuals.
In explaining the drivers, deVere highlighted three themes. First, it said “jurisdictional risk” has become a more prominent factor in wealth planning, citing the potential for rapid changes to capital gains tax, inheritance rules, and other preferential regimes in established economies.
Second, the firm said relocation decisions are increasingly defensive, with a greater emphasis on wealth preservation, continuity planning, and reducing exposure to sudden legislative shifts. It added that succession planning—such as inheritance exposure, trust structures, and intergenerational transfers—has become more closely tied to residency decisions.
Third, deVere said interest is concentrating in jurisdictions perceived to offer more predictable policy environments, including clearer fiscal frameworks and legal protections. As examples, it pointed to the United Arab Emirates’ personal income tax structure and residency programs, and said some European hubs and Asian financial centres are also drawing increased attention for regulatory stability.
deVere also said some entrepreneurs are reviewing whether to relocate corporate headquarters, adjust holding structures, or re-domicile operations in order to reduce tax exposure. The firm noted that relocation typically involves complex considerations, including tax treaties, reporting requirements, and residency qualification rules, and said these factors require careful assessment for compliance.
