Amazing Study Reveals 44 Percent of Wealthy UAE Expats Plan to Retire Right Here

A new wealth study published on 10 September 2026, titled 'Money on the Move' by St James’s Place, shows a big change in how expats plan their long-term future in the UAE. Based on survey data collected in May 2026 from 450 affluent and high-net-worth residents, 44 per cent of respondents now intend to retire within the Emirates.

Here are the key facts from the study:

• Over 50 per cent have already lived in the country longer than their first plans.
• 78 per cent expect to stay abroad for at least eight more years.
• 96 per cent earn more money in the UAE than in similar jobs back home.
• 97 per cent increase their monthly savings.

Financial Benefits and Personal Stories

Nearly half of those surveyed earn and save at least 25 per cent more than they would at home. Two in three people say their time abroad has helped them reach financial independence at least five years faster. Notable examples include Australian entrepreneur Sarah Louise, who plans to retire in the UAE, and British entrepreneur Justin Cooke, who moved to Abu Dhabi with his family in 2024 and now sees the region as his permanent home.

These findings follow earlier 2026 reports from InterNations Expat Insider and the UAE Expat Monitor. Those reports found that 94 per cent of expats wanted to stay in the country. They pointed to safety, good schools, infrastructure, and career growth instead of just tax-free income. This trend stayed strong even with regional geopolitical trouble earlier in 2026, like the US-Iran conflict, which only caused temporary departures among wealthy residents.

Planning for the Future

The study advises expat families to focus on long-term planning. This includes the voluntary alternative end-of-service savings scheme, looking at visa options like Golden and Green visas, and making long-term healthcare plans. Other things driving this trend include more property ownership and children who go to UAE international schools staying in the region for university or early jobs.