Dubai draws a new wave of stars as UK relocations accelerate

A growing number of British celebrities, business figures and reality-TV personalities are relocating to Dubai this year, drawn by year-round sunshine, a tax-free lifestyle and perceived safety, industry and publicity observers say. The phenomenon, once dominated by influencer culture and Love Island alumni, has broadened to include athletes, entrepreneurs and socialites who say Dubai offers not only climate and luxury but practical benefits for families and finances. While political dialogue in the United Kingdom continues to revolve around taxation and housing policy, Dubai has positioned itself as a stable, upscale destination for a diverse slate of movers.

Luisa Zissman, the 38-year-old entrepreneur and media figure, revealed this month that she is relocating with two of her three children to join her Irish businessman husband, Andrew Collins, who has already made the move from the UK. In a series of social posts, she described leaving what she called the UK’s “miserable” weather and crime climate for a new life in Dubai, saying the change would bring improvements in safety, lifestyle and finances. Zissman also noted that she would be joining a growing circle of friends and acquaintances who have relocated to the emirate, including figures who have already swapped the British capital for Dubai’s sun.

Petra Ecclestone, the Formula 1 heiress, has also signaled a Dubai move in the near future. The 37-year-old socialite and her husband, Sam Palmer, told reporters they plan to relocate to the United Arab Emirates in the new year. Ecclestone has lived between the United States and the UK in recent years, and she has repeatedly cited concerns about crime and security as a factor in seeking a safer environment for their four children. The couple’s international footprint is well known: they own properties in multiple markets, including a Los Angeles estate and a Chelsea mansion, and have discussed how lifestyle and safety considerations influence their decisions about where to call home. The broader burglary history surrounding family members in the Ecclestone circle has also been referenced by relatives when discussing the appeal of Dubai’s security and regulatory climate.

Kate and Rio Ferdinand, who left southeast London for the UAE in August, have joined a growing cohort of former professional athletes establishing roots in Dubai. The couple reportedly purchased a high-end home in the gated community of Al Barari, a property listed at approximately 32.5 million dirhams (about £6.5 million) as of the spring. In announcing their relocation, Rio Ferdinand described the move as a “new chapter” and emphasized that the education system in Dubai offered a pathway that aligned with their children’s needs. He noted education as a central consideration, outlining how the English-language curriculum in Dubai could support GCSE timelines and the broad development of their children, while also pointing to a safer, more vibrant environment that families can thrive in. Kate shared a similar sentiment, indicating that replanting their family life in a city where they met years earlier would be a positive fresh start, both for security and opportunity.

Amir Khan, the former world champion boxer, has long maintained ties to the UAE, and his decision to deepen his family’s presence there followed a gunpoint robbery in the UK. He opened the door to Dubai for his wife Faryal Makhdoom and their three children, describing the property acquisitions and lifestyle in the UAE as part of a broader plan to ensure safety and stability for his family. Khan’s transition underscores how the UAE has become a practical base for athletes seeking both home comforts and business interests outside the rigorous travel demands of competition.

The flotilla of moves also includes figures from reality TV and other circles who have built flourishing lives in Dubai. Arabella Chi, who welcomed a baby with her partner Billy Henty, announced a looming relocation and has since settled into life in the emirate, sharing glimpses of a modern apartment with views that echo the city’s architectural ambition. Laura Anderson, the former Love Island contestant, has chronicled her shift toward Dubai since 2021, a decision she described as a chance to enjoy a sunnier climate and a higher standard of living, even as she navigates the demands of ongoing media commitments. Amber Turner, known from The Only Way Is Essex, has also relocated, recounting a busy schedule that blends brunches, workouts and appearances on the show while maintaining ties to Dubai as a base for new chapters in her personal life.

Industry watchers connect these moves to a familiar set of attractions: near-perpetual sunshine, a tax-friendly framework, high-end real estate, and a cosmopolitan environment that is increasingly welcoming to families and professionals across sectors. Dubai’s status as a global hub for business and sport—paired with a security and regulatory environment perceived as orderly by many expatriates—has helped transform it from a niche refuge for sun-seekers into a deportment of choice for a broader class of movers. The trend is not limited to the entertainment realm; executives and athletes say the city provides a flexible platform for international work, multiple investments, and a lifestyle aligned with long-term family planning.

In the background of these relocations, political discourse in the United Kingdom continues to feature debates over tax policy, including Labour’s proposed mansion tax. While the UK government faces a variety of fiscal and social questions, observers say tax policy is just one of several motivations cited by those who relocate. For many, the decision to move reflects a combination of climate, safety, schooling, and an opportunity to recalibrate life amid a global landscape of high housing costs and changing work patterns. Dubai’s ability to offer a seemingly seamless blend of luxury living and practical convenience remains a central draw for celebrities seeking to balance visibility with stability.

The pattern signals a continuing evolution in where public life and private life intersect for high-profile figures. As more stars and influencers expand their geographic footprint, Dubai’s profile as a destination for a diverse array of prominent residents is likely to grow, reinforcing the city’s role not only as a tourist magnet but as a substantive home base for culture and entertainment talent seeking a new equilibrium in an increasingly globalized industry.