Brief
UAE ranks third in Nomad Capitalist Lifestyle Index for 2026
The UAE secured the third‑best place to live globally, behind Monaco and Andorra, with a top tax score.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Dubai: The United Arab Emirates was ranked third among the world’s best places to live in the 2026 Nomad Capitalist Lifestyle Index, according to Gulf News.
What happened
The index, which evaluated 63 destinations across five equally weighted categories, gave the UAE a total score of 73.15 out of 100. Monaco led with 73.89 points and Andorra followed with 73.68, leaving less than three‑quarters of a point separating the top three.
What the reports add
The UAE achieved the highest score for taxation, 96 out of 100, placing it first globally. It also ranked fifth for quality of life and infrastructure (72.6 points) and seventh for residency and accessibility (78.7 points). In nature and climate the country scored 59.7, placing it 16th.
What was said
Khatia Gelbakhiani, Head of Product at Nomad Capitalist, told Gulf News that the gap between the top three destinations was under three‑quarters of a point and that “Monaco led in quality of life, Andorra in safety and freedom, and the UAE in taxation.”
How it came about
Nomad Capitalist’s methodology gives equal weight to nature and climate, taxation, residency and accessibility, safety and freedom, and quality of life and infrastructure. The UAE’s strong tax ranking reflects its zero personal income and capital gains taxes and a 9 % corporate tax introduced in June 2023. The expansion of the 10‑year Golden Visa programme, which now includes investors, skilled professionals, talented individuals and entrepreneurs, boosted its residency and accessibility score.
Key facts
- UAE placed third in the 2026 Nomad Capitalist Lifestyle Index with a score of 73.15. (gulfnews.com)
- UAE topped the tax category with a score of 96 out of 100. (gulfnews.com)
- Monaco and Andorra ranked first and second with 73.89 and 73.68 points respectively. (gulfnews.com)
- The index assessed 63 destinations across five equally weighted categories. (gulfnews.com)
- Khatia Gelbakhiani explained the ranking differences in a Gulf News interview. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “UAE ranks third among world's best places to live in 2026”
