Alternatives to living in Dubai are gaining attention, with countries such as Italy, Malta, Singapore, and several Caribbean jurisdictions offering competitive tax regimes for expats.
Rising costs, tighter substance expectations, and lifestyle considerations are pushing many high-income individuals to consider other options for low-tax residency.
This article covers:
- Is there no personal income tax in Dubai?
- What is the best country to live in with low taxes?
- Which Caribbean islands are tax havens for residents?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in Dubai?
Key Takeaways:
- Dubai has zero personal income tax but high living costs.
- Low-tax residency requires genuine substance, not just a visa.
- Alternatives like Italy, Malta, Singapore, and Caribbean jurisdictions vary in benefits.
- The best jurisdiction depends on income, lifestyle, and long-term residency goals.
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The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.
Why are expats leaving Dubai?
Expats are leaving Dubai primarily due to rising living costs, stricter substance expectations, and a growing mismatch between lifestyle needs and long-term residency goals.
While Dubai remains attractive, several structural factors are pushing expats to explore alternatives.
- The cost of living has risen sharply in recent years, particularly for housing, schooling, and healthcare.
- What was once a relatively affordable tax-free hub now requires a significantly higher income to maintain the same standard of living.
- Regulatory substance expectations have also increased. Many expats initially used Dubai as a paper residency, spending limited time in the country while assuming tax-free status elsewhere.
- Tax authorities globally have become more aggressive in challenging this approach, placing greater emphasis on physical presence, economic ties, and center-of-life tests.
- Lifestyle is another consideration. Dubai’s climate, cultural environment, and transient social structure do not suit everyone long term.
- Families, retirees, and location-independent professionals increasingly seek jurisdictions that combine lower taxes with deeper social integration, residency stability, and long-term settlement options.
Is Dubai really tax-free for residents?
Yes, Dubai is tax-free for personal income, but it is not tax-free in every sense.
Residents may still face indirect taxes, including VAT, municipality fees, and excise taxes.
In addition, corporate tax has been introduced for many business structures, altering how entrepreneurs and company owners operate.
More importantly, tax residency in Dubai does not automatically exempt individuals from taxation elsewhere.
Expats remain exposed to foreign tax obligations if they retain strong ties to another country, such as property, family, or business interests.
For many, the challenge is not Dubai’s tax system itself, but how other tax authorities perceive their residency status.
Where is the best place to live with low taxes aside from Dubai?
Besides Dubai, the strongest low-tax residency options are countries that use territorial taxation, flat-tax regimes, or remittance-based systems, including Italy, Malta, Cyprus, Singapore, and select Caribbean jurisdictions.
- Italy
Italy’s flat-tax regime allows new residents to pay a fixed annual tax (currently €100,000) on foreign income. This makes it attractive for high-net-worth expats seeking a European base with low taxation, combined with quality healthcare, cultural lifestyle, and EU residency rights. - Malta
Malta offers a remittance-based taxation system for non-doms, meaning foreign income is only taxed if remitted to Malta. Alongside its English-speaking environment, EU membership, and strong banking system, Malta is a practical alternative to Dubai for those seeking low taxes within Europe. - Cyprus
Cyprus provides non-domicile residents with exemptions on foreign dividends and interest, alongside territorial taxation. Its EU membership, favorable corporate environment, and Mediterranean lifestyle make it a compelling low-tax alternative to Dubai. - Singapore
Singapore taxes only income sourced locally, with relatively low personal rates. It combines tax efficiency with business credibility, political stability, and global connectivity, making it ideal for entrepreneurs or expats with cross-border business operations. - Caribbean jurisdictions
Several Caribbean countries offer zero personal income tax and are commonly used as low-tax residency bases by internationally mobile expats. Compared to Dubai, they tend to involve simpler tax systems but offer fewer lifestyle and business infrastructure advantages. - Bahamas
No personal income, capital gains, or inheritance taxes. Residency is accessible through property ownership or long-term permits, making it a straightforward no-tax alternative for expats with offshore income. - Cayman Islands
Zero income tax combined with a sophisticated financial services sector and strong legal protections. Often favored by high-net-worth individuals seeking credibility and stability similar to Dubai, albeit at a higher cost. - St Kitts and Nevis
No personal income tax and flexible residency or citizenship pathways. Commonly used for tax neutrality and passport diversification rather than as a full lifestyle replacement for Dubai.
Is there a country where you don’t have to pay taxes?
Yes, a small number of countries such as the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and Monaco do not levy personal income tax, but living completely tax-free is often more complex than it appears.
While some jurisdictions do not impose personal income tax, residents may still encounter indirect taxes, residency costs, or limitations on banking and treaty access.
Countries with no personal income tax are also under increased international scrutiny.
As global tax transparency expands, substance, physical presence, and economic activity matter more than nominal tax rates.
For many expats, a low-tax, well-regulated country offers greater long-term security than a nominally tax-free one.
Is living in Dubai worth it?
Living in Dubai can be worth it for expats who value zero personal income tax, strong infrastructure, and global connectivity, and who are willing to meet the residency and lifestyle requirements that come with it.
For entrepreneurs, internationally mobile professionals, and high earners, Dubai can still offer a highly efficient base when tax residency is properly established.
What is the downside of living in Dubai?
The main disadvantage of living in Dubai is that its tax advantages often come with higher living costs, stricter substance expectations, and limited long-term residency security for some expats.
Housing, education, and healthcare can be expensive, particularly for families, which reduces the practical benefit of zero personal income tax.
From a tax perspective, Dubai requires genuine physical presence and economic substance to support tax residency claims, making it less suitable for those seeking a passive or low-engagement base.
Lifestyle factors also matter. The climate, cultural environment, and transient nature of the expat community may not suit everyone over the long term, especially retirees or those seeking deeper social integration.
Conclusion
Dubai remains a strong low-tax residency option, but it is no longer the default solution for every expat.
As global tax enforcement tightens and personal priorities evolve, choosing the right jurisdiction now requires balancing tax efficiency with residency substance, lifestyle sustainability, and long-term security.
For many expats, the most effective low-tax strategy is not finding the lowest headline tax rate, but selecting a country that aligns with how and where they actually live.
FAQs
How to move to Dubai and not pay taxes?
To move to Dubai and not pay personal income tax, you must become a genuine UAE tax resident and cease being tax resident in any higher-tax country.
Moving to Dubai alone does not eliminate tax obligations.
Individuals must establish genuine tax residency in the UAE, sever tax residency ties elsewhere, and ensure that income is not sourced from jurisdictions that retain taxing rights.
Proper planning, documentation, and physical presence are essential.
How can Dubai survive without taxes?
Dubai’s government revenue relies on a combination of sources, including state-owned enterprises, tourism, trade, real estate, fees, and indirect taxes such as VAT.
This diversified revenue model allows the emirate to operate without levying personal income tax on residents.
How long to live in Dubai to avoid taxes?
Even though Dubai has no personal income tax, there is no fixed number of days you can live there that automatically makes you tax-free.
While UAE tax residency certificates often require a certain number of days of physical presence, other countries may apply different tests.
Many tax authorities assess residency based on overall lifestyle, economic ties, and habitual residence rather than day counts alone.
How to avoid double taxation in the UAE?
Avoiding double taxation involves ensuring that income is taxed in only one jurisdiction or relieved through tax treaties.
The UAE has an extensive network of double taxation agreements, but treaty benefits depend on proper residency classification and compliance.
Professional cross-border tax planning is often necessary to prevent overlapping tax claims.
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