At least 1,800 non-doms have left the UK since the abolition of the non-dom regime in April 2025, according to a report from consultancy Chamberlain Walker.

It noted that this was above previous estimates, with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasting that 1,200 non-doms would leave the UK.

Furthermore, the report warned that “many more” non-doms would follow those that have already left between now and April 2027.

Chamberlain Walker said that many of the wealthiest non-doms were not captured by HMRC payroll data, as they are mostly ‘investors’ rather than salaried ‘workers’ caught under PAYE.

The consultancy said that evidence was emerging that the very wealthiest non-doms, including the majority of those who were paying the remittance basis charge, were the ones leaving.

If higher numbers of non-doms left the UK than predicted, especially if they included many of the wealthiest, there could be a greater than expected loss of UK income tax, a smaller gain from the foreign income and gains (FIG) tax base, and less onshoring of assets through the Temporary Repatriation Facility.

Commenting on the report, an HM Treasury spokesperson said: “These figures are based on anecdotal evidence that we don’t recognise.

“If you make your home in Britain, then you should pay your taxes here too. That is why we abolished the non-dom tax status to invest in our public services, including the NHS.

“The UK remains a highly attractive place to live and invest. Our main capital gains tax rate is lower than any other G7 European country and our new residence-based regime is now simpler and more attractive, while also addressing tax system unfairness so every long-term resident pays their taxes here.”

Utmost Wealth Solutions global wealth specialist, Marc Acheson, commented: “These figures chime with what we are seeing, and we have long believed that the OBR’s forecast that the scrapping of the non-dom regime would trigger a 25 per cent departure rate looked conservative.

“The UK has already seen a significant flight of wealth and more are considering international options with increasing regularity. The first wave comprised the most wealthy who left before the non-dom changes came into effect in April this year.

“The second wave consists of families accelerating plans to leave to coincide with children finishing full time education in the UK, so this wave will likely continue for the next few years.

“While a recent report suggested people are eager to return to the UK at the first opportunity, the reality is that the tax rules discourage this - anyone coming back within six years risks being taxed on income and gains earned while abroad, meaning most will stay outside the UK for a decade or more.

“Meanwhile, other jurisdictions are bending over backwards to attract this wealth, and our loss is very much Italy’s, Switzerland’s, Portugal’s, and the UAE’s gain.”

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