Is Dubai really the place to be for expats?
Never mind sunshine, a booming financial sector and the prospect of buying your own island, it's tax rules that make the UAE top destination for expats.
In a survey of tax environments by Mercer, the United Arab Emirates, which allows workers to take home 100% of earnings, topped the list as the best place for expats.
And it's the emerging markets that are generally using tax to lure talent to their shores, with Russia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore making up the rest of the top five.
Marcus Wiesner, Mercer's head of operations in Dubai, reckons it's a good place to work at any level: "UAE's zero taxation is a strong draw for expatriates on short-term assignments."
He also says those with mid-level experience develop some serious savings, and senior executives can build up a nice little nest egg for retirement.
The survey says other key considerations for expats are a housing allowance and private schooling for their kids - both of which rank highly on financial workers' benefits in Dubai.
However, with sky-high property prices, spiralling inflation and an ever-weakening dollar, is the UAE really an expat paradise, no matter what the tax rate?
Should Dubai be patting itself on the back for creating a haven for expats? Or does a mouth-watering tax regime highlight an otherwise unwelcome environment? Your thoughts please...
