RESIDENCY & CITIZENSHIP
Family Office Residency and Citizenship Options in 2026
For internationally mobile family office principals and UHNW individuals, residency and citizenship decisions are among the most consequential they will make — determining personal tax exposure, IHT liability, passport strength and the practical experience of managing a global family office. UK Private Wealth Magazine covers residency and citizenship options for private wealth owners as a core editorial topic.
The Principal Residency Options for Family Office Principals in 2026
UAE Golden Visa
5 or 10 years, automatically renewable. No national sponsor required. Light physical presence. Zero personal income tax. Zero CGT. Zero IHT. Issued to qualifying investors, entrepreneurs and specialist talent.
Singapore GIP
Permanent residency pathway. Requires qualifying investment, including possible SFO establishment with qualifying AUM. Assessed by EDB. 2–4 months processing.
Portugal NHR 2.0 (IFICI)
10-year tax regime for qualifying new residents. 20% on eligible PT-source professional income. Foreign income generally exempt. Not a visa — requires establishment of Portuguese tax residence through D7 or another visa route.
Switzerland Lump Sum Tax
Available to non-Swiss nationals not in Swiss gainful employment. Annual tax calculated as a multiple of Swiss living costs. Requires cantonal negotiation and approval. Provides a Swiss residence permit.
Italy Flat Tax
€100,000 annual substitute tax on foreign-source income. Available for up to 15 years to qualifying new Italian tax residents. Requires genuine Italian tax residence.
Portugal D7 Visa
Passive income residency visa. For individuals living on regular passive income (capital gains, dividends, pensions, rental). Requires spending more than six months per year in Portugal.
Citizenship by Investment — A Separate Question
Citizenship by investment is distinct from residency by investment. Full citizenship provides a second passport and the right to live and work indefinitely in the issuing country — but is subject to entirely different legal frameworks, fees and timelines. UK Private Wealth Magazine covers citizenship by investment as an occasional editorial topic through trusted specialist contributors.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between residency and citizenship by investment?
Residency by investment grants the right to live in a jurisdiction, usually with renewable permits. Citizenship by investment grants a second passport and indefinite right to live and work in the issuing country, under separate legal frameworks and timelines.
Which residency option is most popular with UK principals in 2026?
Following non-dom abolition the UAE Golden Visa, Swiss lump sum regime, Italian flat tax and Portugal NHR 2.0 (IFICI) attract the most enquiries from UK-connected principals.
Does Singapore GIP require a family office?
The Global Investor Programme accepts several qualifying investment routes, one of which is the establishment of a Singapore family office with qualifying AUM. Applications are assessed by the Economic Development Board.
Where can I read more?
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