The United Arab Emirates has, for the first time, cracked the world’s top three places to live — jumping to joint-2nd on Henley & Partners’ 2026 Global Residence Program Index. The move reflects stronger residency pathways, tax advantages, and recent policy tweaks that widen access for investors and skilled migrants.
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UAE Climbs Global Residence Rankings
The UAE’s rise from fifth last year to joint second place in 2026 signals a structural shift in global residence preferences toward dynamic, tax-efficient hubs. Henley & Partners says the UAE now shares second place with Italy and Switzerland, with Greece holding first. This ranking reflects the attractiveness of residence programs to internationally mobile families and investors.
Key Metrics Behind the Index
Henley’s Global Residence Program Index scores 40 leading residence programs on factors such as tax efficiency, quality of life, processing quality, regulatory clarity, mobility outcomes, and investment requirements — a composite aimed at global citizens weighing where to live and invest. The UAE’s gains were broad-based across these pillars.
Tax, Policy, and Residency Reforms Boost UAE Standings
Analysts say several concrete changes and long-standing strengths combined to lift the UAE’s score:
- Tax competitiveness: No personal income tax and generous tax rules for businesses keep the UAE highly attractive for capital and skilled workers.
- Expanded long-term residency: The Golden Visa, Green Visa, and other long-term permits give certainty to investors, professionals, and families looking for stable, long-term residency without strict physical-presence requirements.
- Recent policy easing: A February 2026 circular removed the prior requirement to pay at least 50% of a qualifying property’s value upfront for the 10-year Property Golden Visa — applicants can now qualify if their DLD-certified property portfolio totals AED 2 million, regardless of payment schedule. That change widens eligibility for mortgaged and off-plan holdings.
Market and Migration Implications
For high-net-worth individuals and professionals, the UAE’s top-three standing strengthens its proposition as both a business hub and long-term domicile:
- Investors: Easier access to Golden Visa pathways and clearer rules reduce entry friction for property and business investors.
- Professionals and families: Broader long-stay options plus world-class healthcare, schooling options, and infrastructure make longer stays more feasible.
- Policy signal: The ranking may accelerate efforts to attract talent and capital, prompting further regulatory and service improvements in immigration processing and investor services.
UAE’s Position Among Global Peers
Henley’s index places the UAE ahead of several established Western options — including Canada, Australia, Portugal, and the UK — on the composite residence score. The rise reinforces the UAE’s standing as a global hub rather than solely a regional centre for expatriates.
