Record 1.65 lakh millionaires will leave countries globally:UAE, Singapore top choices for citizenship; Americans lead migration patterns

The migration of millionaires from their home countries will witness a record high. According to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2026, a record 1.65 lakh millionaires are expected to leave their home countries and migrate to other countries this year. Last year, around 1.42 lakh millionaires left their countries. In 2024, this figure was 1.34 lakh, while in 2013 it was 51 thousand. Several wealthy families are now moving to other countries not just for tax benefits, but also for stability, security, and better investment opportunities. According to the same report, the UAE is the most preferred ‘wealth hub’ with a score of 85.3. India’s score is 56.5. US: wealthiest families are increasingly preparing to leave the country The United States has a Wealth Mobility Score of 62.3. It has become the largest source of applications for alternative citizenship worldwide. In 2025, such applications doubled, and the trend continued through 2026. Only 7% of these applications came from Americans already living abroad, while the remaining majority were submitted by wealthy individuals residing in the U.S. About half of the applicants are seeking citizenship in European countries, while more than one-fourth are looking toward Latin America and the Caribbean. United Kingdom: rising outflow makes it the 5th largest source market Applications submitted from UK addresses increased by 15% during 2024–25. In 2026, 53% of applications from the UK came from foreign nationals living there, meaning British citizens accounted for roughly half of the total. In 2018, foreign nationals represented only 8% of applicants. The UK has climbed from being the 20th-largest source market in 2018 to one of the top five today.
India: 2nd citizenship becoming part of estate planning India has a Wealth Mobility Score of 56.5, placing it in the category of countries facing structural challenges. The primary reasons include the concentration of capital among a limited group of people and a complex tax regime. For wealthy Indian families, obtaining a second residency or citizenship is increasingly becoming part of estate planning and tax structuring strategies. It is also being used to support children’s education, international business expansion, and succession planning. UAE: wealthy families are using it as a global launchpad The UAE has the highest Wealth Mobility Score at 85.3. Most applications come from expatriate entrepreneurs who use the UAE as their primary base while exploring additional residency or citizenship options elsewhere. Rather than leaving the UAE, many wealthy individuals view it as a strategic platform for expanding their global mobility and business footprint. Europe: Greece benefits as Spain and Portugal tighten their programs Nearly half of all investment-based citizenship and residency applications are directed toward European countries such as Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, and Cyprus. However, recent policy changes have shifted demand. Spain’s decision to end its Golden Visa program and Portugal’s removal of the real estate investment route have directly benefited Greece, which has emerged as one of the preferred destinations for investment migration.