Gaurav Keswani
Key Highlights
Dubai has successfully defended its crown as the world’s premier destination for executive nomads, securing the top position in Savills’ 2025 Executive Nomad Index for the second consecutive year.
This achievement reinforces the emirate’s status as a global nexus where premium real estate, exceptional connectivity, and an unparalleled lifestyle seamlessly converge to attract the world’s most mobile professionals.
The UAE’s dominance in the executive nomad market is particularly striking, with both Dubai and Abu Dhabi claiming the top two positions in the prestigious index.
This comprehensive study evaluates 30 global cities based on their appeal to high-level remote workers, and the UAE’s performance underscores its exceptional ability to cater to wealthy, mobile professionals who seek to blend work excellence with lifestyle quality in a single location.
Dubai’s victory was anchored by its extensive flight network, which provides unmatched global connectivity for international business activities. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi distinguished itself with the world’s leading internet speed, ensuring that digital infrastructure meets the demanding requirements of remote executives.
Both cities earned acclaim for their unique combination of tax efficiency, superior lifestyle offerings, robust safety measures, and streamlined business operations, all enhanced by year-round sunshine and access to world-class educational institutions and healthcare facilities.
Executive nomads represent a distinct demographic within the remote work ecosystem. These are typically senior managers, entrepreneurs, or company founders who maintain international business activities while working remotely. Unlike younger digital nomads who may prioritize adventure and low costs, executive nomads focus on premium amenities and professional infrastructure that support their high-level business operations.
The impact of this demographic on real estate markets is substantial. These professionals consistently seek high-end rental properties in prime locations near essential amenities.
Their preferences and spending power have contributed to a 2.9 percent increase in prime rents across all 30 markets included in the index during 2025.
While the UAE dominates the top positions, Mediterranean destinations have shown remarkable strength in attracting executive nomads. Spain captured three positions in the top 10, with Málaga ranking third, Palma sixth, and Barcelona seventh.
This performance highlights the enduring appeal of Mediterranean coastal cities that successfully combine lifestyle benefits with robust digital infrastructure and transport connectivity.
Following Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the complete top 10 ranking includes:
Portugal’s strong showing, with Lisbon maintaining its top-five position, demonstrates the country’s commitment to quality of life and connectivity.
The Algarve’s 10th-place ranking was attributed to its affordability and vibrant expatriate community, offering excellent work-life balance supported by widespread English usage and international schools.
Greece made notable entries, with Crete joining the index for the first time at 15th place, earning recognition for achieving the second-highest quality of life score among all 30 destinations. Athens, ranked 27th, was praised for its affordable rental market and strategic position as a regional flight hub.
The executive nomad phenomenon has paralleled the rapid expansion of digital nomad visa schemes worldwide. Since Estonia pioneered this concept in 2020, 67 countries now offer some form of remote work visa. However, the growth rate of new programs has decelerated, with some destinations like Bermuda actually rolling back their initiatives.
Interestingly, new entrants to the 2025 index, Canada and New Zealand, have taken a different approach by adapting existing long-term visitor visas to accommodate fully remote work rather than creating dedicated digital nomad programs. This strategy demonstrates the evolving landscape of international remote work accommodation.
The index also welcomed cities that offer cultural vibrancy alongside business opportunities, moving beyond traditional sun-and-sea destinations. Tokyo entered at 11th place, while Vancouver ranked 18th and Auckland secured 9th position. Berlin’s 28th-place ranking shows that even major European business centers are competing for this lucrative demographic.
Executive nomads differ significantly from their younger counterparts in their approach to location selection. These professionals typically travel with families, making education, healthcare, and living space their primary considerations.
The proximity to international schools, quality hospitals, and prime urban districts becomes a decisive factor when selecting long-term rental properties.
This family-focused approach has created sustained pressure on premium rental markets. The demand from high-net-worth, mobile workers contributed to prime residential rent increases of nearly 3 percent across all 30 indexed cities in 2025. Gulf and Mediterranean destinations recorded the strongest rental growth, reflecting their popularity among executive nomads.
Dubai’s success in attracting executive nomads reflects broader dynamics within its real estate sector. The consistent demand from expatriates, international investors, and nomadic executives has driven property values to record highs.
Industry analysts recognize that Dubai’s unique combination of global connectivity, personal safety, favorable tax environment, and lifestyle appeal positions it exceptionally well to capture the expanding market for mobile professionals.
The city’s real estate boom, fueled partly by executive nomad demand, demonstrates how this demographic can significantly impact local property markets. Their preference for premium locations and willingness to pay higher rents for quality amenities creates ripple effects throughout the luxury residential sector.
The UAE’s continued dominance in the Savills Executive Nomad Index illustrates how Gulf states have strategically positioned themselves at the forefront of the evolving international real estate landscape.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s leadership reflects a broader regional commitment to creating environments that attract and retain global talent and investment.
As the executive nomad market continues to mature, the UAE’s success provides a blueprint for other destinations seeking to attract this valuable demographic.
The combination of infrastructure investment, regulatory flexibility, lifestyle amenities, and business-friendly policies has proven to be a winning formula that other global cities will likely attempt to replicate.
The sustained growth in this market segment suggests that the competition for executive nomads will only intensify, making the UAE’s current leadership position both valuable and potentially vulnerable to well-executed competitive strategies from other global destinations.
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