Over a third of HNWIs considering relocation

More than one in three (35 per cent) high net worth individuals (HNWI) are considering moving to another country with a lower tax burden, according to research from DeVere Group.

DeVere Group reported that over a third of its 80,000 clients, primarily HNWIs from the UK, parts of Europe, Australia, and some Asian and African jurisdictions, were seeking advice on where to move to reduce their tax exposure.

The firm said the findings confirmed the acceleration of the ‘Great Wealth Migration’.

“The Great Wealth Migration is gathering pace,” stated DeVere Group CEO, Nigel Green.

“HNWIs are reassessing where they base themselves and their assets in response to tax changes, geopolitical tension and policy unpredictability. This is structured, deliberate planning.”

The group’s internal advisory trends had shown a marked increase in enquiries on tax residency restructuring, domicile review, second residency rights, and cross-border corporate realignment.

It noted that conversations were previously centred on optimisation but are now focused on risk, with three primary factors driving this shift.

These included that jurisdictional risk was now a core wealth variable, with tax exposure being treated more dynamically and clients restructuring arrangements to avoid excessive exposure to a single tax regime or political system.

Additionally, relocation was becoming increasingly defensive to safeguard generational wealth and operational continuity, and capital was clustering around policy predictability.

“The Great Wealth Migration is not random,” Green said. “Interest is concentrating in jurisdictions offering fiscal clarity, strong legal systems and long-term policy stability.

“Regions combining competitive tax regimes with institutional robustness are seeing sustained inbound demand from globally mobile wealth.

“Wealth moves toward stability. When investors perceive policy volatility, they seek jurisdictions where rules are transparent, predictable, and favourable.”

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