Dubai and Abu Dhabi: The New Wealth Hub for Global Indians

Not too long ago, if you asked a wealthy Indian family where they’d like to set up their second home, the answers were London, Singapore, maybe New York.

But today, the response is different. The answer is mostly Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

What started as a quiet shift has now become a full-blown trend. India’s high-net-worth individuals are not just parking some money in the UAE; many are moving entire family offices, setting up companies, and buying luxury homes there.

Wondering why? Let's uncover this trend in detail!

The Charm of Simplicity

For wealthy Indians, one of the biggest frustrations back home is complexity. Tax rules change. Compliance demands keep rising. Even simple decisions, such as those regarding inheritance or asset transfers, can become complex and lengthy legal disputes.

In the UAE, the system feels different. There is no personal income tax. No capital gains tax. No inheritance tax. It’s almost disarming in its simplicity.

In short, for high-net-worth indians, the UAE is their launchpad for growth.

The Golden Visa Effect

The UAE government also knows the value of stability. The Golden Visa program is their answer to the anxieties of global entrepreneurs and investors.

It offers long-term residency not just to the wealthy, but also to professionals, innovators, and families. So, Indians don’t need to give up their citizenship, nor do they have to live with the uncertainty of short visas.

This ability to dream long-term is one of the UAE’s biggest gifts to global Indians.

Business Without the Red Tape

Wealthy Indians are also entrepreneurs by instinct. They don’t like idle money. They want to build.

Here, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have a significant advantage. Company incorporation is fast. Free zones allow 100% ownership. Regulatory systems are clear and internationally recognised.

Family offices, once run in informal ways back home, are becoming institutional here. Global wealth managers and private equity firms are opening up shop, too. The vibe is entrepreneurial but structured.

For Indians used to battling bureaucracy at every step, the ease of doing business in the UAE feels almost surreal.

Safety, Familiarity, and Belonging

Wealth needs safety. Families need comfort. The UAE offers both.

Even in a region often associated with volatility, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have carved out a reputation for stability. Low crime, reliable governance, and a neutral diplomatic posture make them feel like safe harbours.

But beyond safety, there’s a sense of familiarity. From festive celebrations on the Burj Khalifa to Indian schools that mirror CBSE and ICSE systems, the cultural overlap is striking. Walk into a Dubai mall, and you’ll hear Hindi, Tamil, Punjabi, and Gujarati within minutes.

For many, it feels like an upgraded version of home. A place where you can have your pani puri and still access Michelin-star dining around the corner.

Vision That Resonates

Indians like ambition, and in the UAE, it's everywhere.

Dubai’s D33 economic plan aims to double the city’s economy in the next decade. Abu Dhabi is betting big on AI, clean energy, and biotech. The skyline, the infrastructure, even the airports, they all tell the same story, which is forward momentum.

For Indian wealth creators, this resonates deeply. They want to be part of a place that looks ahead, not sideways. A place where their children can build businesses that matter globally.

Real Estate: More Than Bricks and Mortar

Ask any Indian investor about Dubai, and property will come up within minutes.

The luxury real estate market is attractive. Villas on Palm Jumeirah, penthouses in Downtown Dubai, estates in Emirates Hills—Indians are among the top buyers.

Why? Because real estate here is more than an asset class. It’s security. It’s a hedge against currency swings and inflation.

In Abu Dhabi, the appeal is slightly different. Ultra-private, gated communities are rising, designed for discretion and legacy planning. Families that don’t want the spotlight but value serenity are finding a natural fit.

A Flow, Not a Fad

This migration is not about a few individuals making opportunistic moves. It is systematic. Trust structures are being set up. Family businesses are redomiciling. Wealth is flowing through legal, transparent, globally compliant pipelines.

This results in a growing Indian footprint in the UAE’s financial ecosystem. One that’s unlikely to reverse anytime soon.

Beyond the Numbers

Indian interest in the UAE is rising for reasons that extend far beyond taxes. Indian students now account for around 42% of Dubai’s international higher education enrolment, with many choosing universities such as NYU Abu Dhabi and global campuses in Dubai over traditional options in the US or UK.

Entrepreneurs are also scaling up, with more than 73000 Indian companies registered as members of the Dubai Chamber, supported by free zones that provide 100% ownership, zero income tax, profit repatriation, and global connectivity.

On the investment side, Indians have become the largest foreign buyers of Dubai real estate, putting in more than AED 30 billion in 2024 alone. The UAE is also home to between 3.5 and 4 million Indians, making them the single largest expatriate community and giving newcomers a strong sense of cultural familiarity.

Combined with the long-term security offered by the Golden Visa, world-class infrastructure, and cosmopolitan lifestyle, Dubai and Abu Dhabi feel less like foreign wealth hubs and more like natural extensions of Indian ambition.

Looking Forward

For India’s wealthy, the UAE has become more than a convenient offshore base. It has become a place to live, to grow, to belong.

London still offers heritage. Singapore still offers efficiency. New York still offers global prestige. But Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer something more holistic, which is a blend of opportunity, security, and cultural familiarity. The wealth migration is not slowing down. If anything, it’s accelerating.

Your Next Business Chapter Starts in the UAE

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are more than financial centers. They are safe harbors for wealth, business, and ambition. With zero personal tax, world-class infrastructure, and a thriving Indian community, the UAE gives you the freedom to grow and the stability to protect what you build.

At 10xM, we simplify your business setup and compliance so you can focus on expanding your legacy. Book your free consultation today and discover how Dubai and Abu Dhabi can become your new wealth hub.