Winning Bizness Desk
A record 165,000 millionaires are expected to migrate to other countries in 2026, highlighting a dramatic shift in how the world's wealthy are planning their future. According to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2026, affluent families are increasingly looking beyond their home markets in search of stability, security and stronger investment opportunities. The trend has gathered pace steadily, with 142,000 millionaires relocating in 2025, 134,000 in 2024 and just 51,000 in 2013.
Wealthy families seek stability and security
The report suggests that tax benefits are no longer the sole reason behind such moves. Rich individuals are now placing equal importance on political stability, personal safety, legal certainty and access to global markets. Countries offering a favourable business environment and long-term wealth protection are emerging as preferred destinations for global investors and entrepreneurs.
The scale of the trend can be gauged from the numbers:
- 165,000 millionaires expected to migrate in 2026
- Around 142,000 relocated in 2025
- 134,000 migrated in 2024
- The figure stood at 51,000 in 2013
Americans lead demand for foreign citizenship
The United States has become the biggest source of wealthy individuals seeking alternative citizenship and residency options. The country's Wealth Mobility Score stands at 62.3, and applications from Americans doubled in 2025, with the momentum continuing this year.
Interestingly, only 7% of applications came from Americans already living overseas, while the rest were submitted by affluent residents still based in the US. Nearly half of the applications were directed towards Europe, while more than a quarter targeted Latin America and Caribbean countries.
Britain joins top wealth migration markets
The United Kingdom is also witnessing a sharp rise in outward wealth migration. Applications linked to UK addresses increased by 15% during 2024-25. In 2026, foreign nationals accounted for 53% of applications originating from Britain, reducing the share of British citizens to nearly half.
The change has been swift. In 2018, foreign nationals represented only 8% of such applications and the UK ranked 20th among source markets. It has now entered the world's top five source markets for wealth migration.
India faces structural wealth mobility hurdles
India's Wealth Mobility Score stands at 56.5, placing it among countries facing structural challenges. The report attributes this to concentrated capital ownership and complex tax regulations. For wealthy Indian families, acquiring a second residence or citizenship is increasingly becoming part of estate planning, tax structuring and succession management strategies.
Key motivations include:
- Overseas education opportunities
- Global business expansion
- Estate and inheritance planning
- Diversified tax structures
UAE remains world's most preferred hub
The United Arab Emirates continues to lead global wealth hubs with the highest score of 85.3. Many expatriate entrepreneurs are using the UAE as a base while exploring additional residency and citizenship options elsewhere.
In Europe, nearly half of all investment-linked citizenship applications are directed towards countries such as Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands and Cyprus. However, policy changes are reshaping preferences. Spain's decision to end its Golden Visa programme and Portugal's removal of the real-estate investment route have opened the door for Greece, which is emerging as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the shift.
