Milan, Italy
Right at the heart of Europe, Milan has long been a magnet for financiers and fashionistas – but since the Expo of 2015, it has evolved into a truly global city. Its success is due in part to Italy’s flat tax on global income, which was introduced in 2017 and has drawn hundreds of multimillionaires from overseas. Yet that’s not the whole story, according to Danilo Orlando, Savills head of residential for Italy.
“We are seeing many more people move here for work – in finance, pharmaceuticals, fashion and tech,” he says. Americans lead the way, followed by British, French and Swiss nationals.
Milan’s proximity to the Italian Lakes and the Alps has long been a draw, and next year the city is co-hosting the Winter Olympics with the upscale ski resort of Cortina, which will further raise its global profile.
Private members’ clubs are catering to this new breed of resident – Soho House Milan is due to open in 2026 – and there is a growing number of international schools. Arrivals favour the elegant neighbourhood of Brera and the city centre for proximity to restaurants, art hubs, shopping and schooling.
Dubai, UAE
A global crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia, Dubai has undergone an extraordinary transformation in recent years and is now the business and tourism epicentre of the Middle East.
