- UAE does not impose personal income tax, making it an appealing destination for high-earning individuals
- Joshua’s relocation reflects a broader trend of affluent British figures moving abroad
- the latest filings suggest he has decided to base himself in the Gulf region
British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua is believed to have officially changed his country of residence to the United Arab Emirates, according to recent corporate filings linked to his business interests.
Reports indicate that the 36-year-old former world champion submitted documentation confirming the change on Friday, formally listing the UAE as his place of residence, Eko Hot Blog gathered.
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The paperwork was connected to companies associated with the boxer, including Sparta Promotions Limited and 258 Investments Limited.
Joshua, who won Olympic gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and later became a two-time unified heavyweight champion, was born in Watford in the United Kingdom.
However, the latest filings suggest he has decided to base himself in the Gulf region.
The move comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran affecting the wider region. Despite security concerns, Dubai and other parts of the UAE continue to attract wealthy individuals and global athletes.
One possible motivation for the relocation is financial. The UAE does not impose personal income tax, making it an appealing destination for high-earning individuals seeking to reduce tax liabilities.
Joshua’s business empire is estimated to be worth around £150 million, and remaining in the UK could have subjected him to significant tax obligations on dividends and company profits.
His promotional company reportedly generated more than £20 million in profit in 2024 alone, which would have attracted substantial taxation under British rules.
Joshua has long maintained a connection with Dubai, frequently using the city for training camps and business engagements. In 2017, he famously held a sparring session on the helipad of the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel, high above the coastline.
More recently, the boxer visited the emirate for meetings with promoter Eddie Hearn and also trained alongside former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The British star has also invested in property within the region. Late last year, he purchased a large penthouse apartment in Sultan Haitham City in Oman. The residence, reportedly valued at about £1.2 million, is believed to be an investment rather than his primary home.
Joshua’s relocation reflects a broader trend of affluent British figures moving abroad. Several high-profile individuals, including businessman Jim Ratcliffe and entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Ioannou, have chosen to establish residency outside the UK.
Under British tax regulations, residency status depends largely on how much time a person spends in the country.
Those present in the UK for 183 days or more within a year are generally considered tax residents, while individuals spending fewer than 16 days may avoid that classification.
Experts say that to benefit fully from the move, Joshua may need to limit the amount of time he spends in Britain each year.
Meanwhile, analysts have suggested that ongoing regional tensions could affect the UAE property market, with some forecasts warning that prices in Dubai might fall if the security situation worsens.
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