Dubai named top city for ‘executive nomads’

Dubai has risen to the top of a new index that ranks the world’s most desirable destinations for executive nomads.

New entry Abu Dhabi is also emerging as a hotspot for senior professional remote workers, placing fourth. Malaga and Miami took second and third places.

According to the latest Savills Executive Nomad Index, Dubai has its pick of executives due to excellent connectivity and a fast-growing fintech sector.

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The shift to hybrid working since the Covid pandemic prompted many executives to find a new base elsewhere in the world.

The prominence of the UAE cities – Dubai was placed third last year – follows a decision by the government in 2021 to launch a remote work visa, costing $287.

It enables employees from all over the world to live and work in the UAE for one year under self-sponsorship, renewable upon re-application.

Swapnil Pillai, Savills Middle East associate director of research, said Dubai’s fast-growing fintech and financial services sectors – along with a tax-free environment and high quality of life – are proving powerful magnets for executive nomads.

“Many have been impacted by lay-offs across global tech firms. They are exploring the city as a base to support these thriving sectors.”

According to the Savills report, Dubai also scores highly on connectivity, with the UAE now home to the fastest mobile internet speeds in the world.

On the UAE capital’s emergence, Stephen Forbes, Savills head of Abu Dhabi, said it is particularly popular with Northern European executive nomads.

“Abu Dhabi has become far more outward-looking in the last two years and there is so much on offer now, including Yas Island, a huge leisure destination, and Saadiyat Island, where you have the Louvre and the Guggenheim, which is due to open in 2025.“