Britons in Dubai fear leaving war-hit Middle East because they might get taxed at home, say experts

Thousands of Britons are stranded in the Middle East due to the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran NewsWorldMiddle EastBritons in Dubai fear leaving war-hit Middle East because they might get taxed at home, say expertsThousands of Britons are stranded in the Middle East due to the conflict between the US, Israel and IranMaira Butt Thursday 05 March 2026 16:10 GMTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverLove Islander manages to escape Dubai after three failed attempts amid Middle East conflictYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreBritish influencers based in Dubai are reluctant to return home due to fears of being taxed, experts have suggested. Around 130,000 of the 300,000 Britons living in the Gulf have registered their presence on the government’s safety system, according to foreign secretary Yvette Cooper, after Iranian retaliatory attacks following US-Israeli strikes. However, content creators in Dubai have drawn widespread criticism after continuing to showcase their luxury lifestyles despite drones and missiles flying overhead. “Everyone is safe in the UAE. Everyone is protected,” Emirati analyst Amjad Taha told the Financial Times. Dubai generally levies 0 per cent tax on personal income for its residents. But he claimed that influencers were declining to fill out evacuation forms provided by the British government “just in case it somehow turns into a tax form instead”.The UK foreign office has not ordered Britons to leave the country but has advised against “all but essential travel” to the United Arab Emirates. open image in gallerySome are suggesting influencers are reluctant to return home (File picture) (AP)Concerns have been raised about the freedom of speech that creators in the country have after reports, including by CNN, suggested that influencers could be being paid to post social media videos emphasising their feelings of safety amid the chaos. Several videos on social media show footage of influencers with the caption: “You’re in Dubai, aren’t you scared”, with a stitched video responding: “No, because I know who protects us”. The reaction footage shows UAE leaders recorded to trending audio. Other influencers recorded themselves at clubs while air defences worked to prevent an Iranian attack overhead. Meanwhile, a fire broke out near the entrance of a world famous Dubai hotel during an Iranian air attack, social media footage showed on Saturday. open image in galleryDubai hotel on fire after Iranian missile strike (Getty/X)On Tuesday, Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey slammed “washed up footballers and tax exiles” seeking UK protection in Dubai. “We rightly expect our Armed Forces to protect British citizens around the world in crises like this,” he told parliament. “But that includes tax exiles like Isabel Oakeshott and washed-up old footballers who mock ordinary people who pay our taxes here.”Ms Oakeshott, a broadcaster and fiancee of Reform politician Richard Trice who relocated to Dubai in 2024, said: “I don’t really understand the point [Sir Ed] was trying to make... We may not pay as much tax as we did, but we still pay an awful lot more than the average person.“That is a complete misunderstanding of the level of contribution that is being made by many people and the tax exiles are not asking to be rescued.”Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that all British citizens would be entitled to the same help regardless of tax status. More than 240,000 Britons live in the emirate, which has become a haven for expats, according to the Wall Street Journal. More aboutBritonsDubaiYvette CooperIsabel OakeshottEd DaveyForeign OfficeJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesCommentsMost popularPopular videosBulletinRead next