Dubai has solidified its status as the premier destination for executive nomads in the 2025 Executive Nomad Index by Savills, showcasing the city’s unique blend of real estate quality, robust connectivity, and lifestyle advantages. As remote working trends continue to rise, the emirate’s allure is further enhanced by its high quality of life, making it a prime choice for professionals seeking an ideal working environment while maintaining a vibrant personal life.
According to the index, which evaluates 30 global cities based on their attractiveness to remote high-level workers, Dubai has claimed the top position for the second consecutive year, with Abu Dhabi following closely behind. This finding underlines how the United Arab Emirates remains a forerunner in catering to affluent, mobile professionals who seek an optimal blend of work and lifestyle in one locale.
Savills attributes Dubai’s top ranking to its expansive flight network, which facilitates international travel for business and leisure. Simultaneously, Abu Dhabi excels with its impressive internet speeds. Both cities are celebrated for their tax-friendly environment, remarkable safety records, and straightforward business operations, all while offering year-round sunshine along with access to elite educational institutions and healthcare facilities.
“From tax efficiency and high-speed connectivity to lifestyle, safety, and ease of doing business, the UAE continues to deliver what today’s mobile professionals are looking for,” stated Andrew Cummings, head of residential agency, Middle East, at Savills.
The UAE’s effectiveness in attracting “executive nomads”—typically senior executives and entrepreneurs who work remotely while managing international ventures—has significantly bolstered growth in its upscale residential markets. These professionals often prefer high-end rentals in proximity to essential amenities, which in turn has led to a 2.9 percent increase in prime rents across the indexed cities over the past year.
European Contenders in the Mix
Following Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Málaga secured the third position, with Miami and Lisbon taking fourth and fifth place, respectively. Spain notably fills three spots within the top 10, with Palma at sixth and Barcelona at seventh, illustrating the magnetic appeal of Mediterranean coastal towns that seamlessly weave lifestyle amenities with strong transport and digital connectivity.
“Málaga offers a Mediterranean lifestyle, relatively low cost of living, dependable services, and fantastic connectivity—both digitally and via direct flights to major cities,” remarked José Felix Pérez-Peña, executive director Andalucía at Savills Spain. “Its strong educational framework across the province is increasingly drawing nomadic families.”
Portugal also features prominently; Lisbon maintains its ranking largely due to its exceptional connectivity coupled with a high quality of life. The Algarve rounds out the top 10 by providing affordability and a lively expatriate community.
“The Algarve combines world-class properties with an ideal work-life balance,” said Iain Begg, sales director at QP Savills. “English is widely spoken, and a vibrant expat community creates an easy path to new connections. Its convenient time zone, excellent international schools, and temperate climate support productivity year-round.”
Additionally, Greece’s Crete makes its debut at 15th, alongside Athens at 27th, recognized for its commendable quality of life. While Athens is noted for its competitive rental prices and status as a regional flight hub, Crete boasts the second-highest quality of life rating among the 30 destinations.
Evolving Remote Work Opportunities
The rising prominence of executive nomads corresponds with the advent of digital nomad visa programs. Following Estonia’s pioneering initiative in 2020, 67 countries now offer some type of visa catering to remote workers. However, Savills underscores that growth in new programs has recently plateaued, with some regions, including Bermuda, retracting their offerings.
Among the new entrants to the 2025 index—Canada and New Zealand—neither offers specific digital nomad visas but has adapted long-term visitor visas to accommodate full remote work.
“The landscape for executive nomads is changing,” said Kelcie Sellers, associate director at Savills World Research. “Markets are creating new strategies to attract digital and executive nomads. Canada and New Zealand are prime examples, with their long-term visitor visas revised to allow fully remote employment for the duration of an individual’s stay.”
Tokyo made its debut at 11th place, with Berlin at 28th, highlighting a growing preference for cities that provide cultural richness alongside business prospects instead of solely traditional sun-soaked locales. Vancouver (18th) and Auckland (9th) also made the list, combining stunning scenery with well-established regional business frameworks.
Family-Centric Demand for Quality Living Spaces
Differentiating from younger digital nomads, executive nomads frequently travel with families and emphasize education, healthcare, and spacious living accommodations. The proximity of international schools, hospitals, and vibrant urban districts significantly influences their long-term rental decisions.
The influx of high-net-worth, flexible workers has resulted in increased demand for luxurious housing options, contributing to an upswing in prime rents. According to Savills’ findings, these rents have climbed nearly 3 percent in 2025, with Gulf and Mediterranean cities witnessing the most substantial increases.
Dubai’s ongoing success mirrors larger patterns in its real estate market, where demand from expatriates, investors, and executive nomads continues to propel property values to unprecedented heights. Experts suggest that the city’s distinctive combination of connectivity, safety, tax advantages, and lifestyle appeal uniquely positions it to capitalize on the global market for mobile professionals.
For the foreseeable future, Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s leadership in the Savills Executive Nomad Index highlights how the Gulf States have effectively established themselves as frontrunners within this dynamic segment of the international real estate landscape.