Exclusive London Workshops on Personal and Business Relocation to Cyprus, Greece and the UAE
Consulco recently hosted two invitation-only workshops at its London headquarters in Soho, bringing together UK-based legal, tax and corporate advisers for in-depth discussions on international relocation strategies for both individuals and businesses.
Held on 11 and 12 February, the sessions—titled “Personal Tax Relocation for UK Residents to Cyprus, Greece and the UAE” and “Relocating Your Business to Cyprus or the UAE for UK Companies”—were intentionally designed for small groups. This intimate setting encouraged meaningful dialogue, in-depth technical discussions, and valuable peer-to-peer exchange.
Addressing a Growing Relocation Trend
The timing of the workshops reflects a significant shift in cross-border mobility trends. An increasing number of individuals and businesses are relocating from the UK to jurisdictions such as Cyprus, Greece and the UAE, driven by a combination of financial, strategic and lifestyle considerations. Attractive tax regimes, lower corporate and personal tax burdens, and reduced operating costs make these jurisdictions appealing from a business perspective, particularly in a post-Brexit environment where EU market access has become more complex. At the same time, lower living costs, favourable property markets, warm climates and improved work–life balance are encouraging personal relocations. The rise of remote work has further accelerated this trend, enabling professionals and entrepreneurs to prioritise lifestyle without compromising their careers, while maintaining connectivity to international markets.
Against this backdrop, Consulco’s workshops aimed to provide UK advisers with clear, practical guidance on structuring options, eligibility criteria and implementation pathways across key jurisdictions.
Key Themes and Jurisdictional Insights
The sessions explored:
- Corporate relocation and re-domiciliation strategies
- EU market access via Cyprus and Greece
- UAE business headquarters structures (Mainland, Free Zone and Offshore)
- Cross-border tax planning and double tax treaty considerations
- Personal tax residency regimes
- Immigration pathways and investment-linked residency routes
For business relocation to the UAE, attendees examined the federal corporate tax framework—effective from June 2023—with a 0% rate on taxable profits up to AED 375,000 and 9% above that threshold, alongside the advantages of Free Zone structures for qualifying entities. Practical considerations such as corporate substance, residency visa, bank account opening, and VAT registration were also addressed.
Cyprus was presented as a strategic EU jurisdiction offering a competitive corporate tax regime, access to over 65 double tax treaties, dividend and capital gains exemptions, and the widely recognised Non-Dom regime for individuals, providing 0% tax on global dividend and interest income for up to 17 years.
Greece’s evolving tax landscape was also discussed in depth, including its non-dom flat tax regime for high-net-worth individuals, the 7% pensioners’ regime, and residency-by-investment (Golden Visa) programmes, offering structured pathways for individuals seeking EU residency combined with long-term tax planning opportunities.
Expert-Led Discussions
The workshops were led by senior representatives from Consulco and distinguished guest speakers:
- Elena Hajiroussou, Cyprus-based Advocate and Founding Member of Consulco Group
- Renee Medawar, Manager of Consulco’s UAE office
- Marios Papageorgiou, Cyprus-based leading tax consultant
- Natalia Skoulidou, Partner and Advocate at a leading Greek law firm specialising in international tax
Commenting on the initiative, Elena Hajiroussou stated:
“We are witnessing a structural shift in how UK-based individuals and companies approach international expansion and personal mobility. Our objective was to provide advisers with clarity - not only on the tax advantages available in jurisdictions such as Cyprus, Greece and the UAE, but also on the regulatory, substance and compliance requirements that ensure a sustainable and robust relocation strategy. In today’s environment, careful planning and proper implementation are essential.”
Interactive Format and Strong Engagement
The deliberately small group format allowed for highly interactive roundtable discussions, with participants raising questions around substance requirements, UK statutory residence tests, double taxation relief, visa eligibility, and long-term succession planning.
Guests described the sessions as insightful and practical, particularly valuing the opportunity to engage directly with jurisdiction-specific experts. The workshops concluded with a networking reception featuring Mediterranean hospitality, further encouraging collaboration and professional exchange among attendees.
A Continued Commitment to Cross-Border Expertise
With over 30 years’ experience and operations spanning Cyprus, London and the UAE, Consulco Trust provides integrated corporate, legal and tax solutions for internationally mobile individuals and businesses. These London workshops form part of the Group’s ongoing commitment to supporting advisers and clients navigating an increasingly globalised and regulated environment.
As cross-border relocation continues to shape the strategic decisions of UK businesses and high-net-worth individuals alike, demand for structured, compliant and forward-looking advisory solutions is expected to remain strong.