Family Offices and Global Mobility: Integrating RBI into Wealth Structuring

In recent years, family offices have evolved far beyond traditional wealth management. They now operate as strategic command centres—overseeing investments, philanthropy, legacy planning, and increasingly, global mobility. As wealth becomes more globally distributed, the integration of residency and citizenship by investment (RBI) into wealth structuring has become not just desirable, but essential.

For ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families, flexibility and control are the new currencies of power. The ability to move assets, businesses, and family members seamlessly across borders safeguards both financial and personal security. In a world of shifting tax regimes, geopolitical uncertainty, and changing residency laws, RBI programs have emerged as vital instruments within sophisticated family office strategies.

Strategic Diversification Beyond Assets

Traditionally, family offices focused on portfolio diversification—spreading investments across asset classes, sectors, and geographies. Today, diversification extends to citizenship and residency. Holding alternative residency options in jurisdictions such as Portugal, the UAE, or Singapore allows families to manage exposure to political risk, secure more stable regulatory environments, and access new investment frameworks.

By embedding RBI into the family’s structural planning, family offices can better align asset allocation with jurisdictional advantages—optimising for taxation, succession, and business continuity. A well-selected second residency can even open access to superior banking systems, venture capital opportunities, or educational pathways for younger generations.

Preserving Legacy and Future-Proofing Wealth

Family offices exist to preserve wealth across generations. But the definition of “wealth preservation” has expanded. It now encompasses mobility—ensuring that heirs have the freedom to live, work, and study wherever opportunity arises.

Residency or citizenship in a second jurisdiction functions as a geopolitical hedge, allowing families to respond quickly to regulatory or macroeconomic shifts. For instance, in times of market volatility or restrictive capital controls, an alternative base offers immediate optionality and continuity. In this sense, RBI is no longer merely a lifestyle choice—it’s a cornerstone of intergenerational resilience.

A Tailored Approach for Every Family Office

The integration of RBI programs into wealth structures must be strategic and bespoke. Factors such as tax residency rules, dual citizenship policies, corporate holding structures, and estate planning objectives all influence the right program choice. Family offices are increasingly collaborating with advisory partners like Farro & Co to conduct jurisdictional assessments and design tailored migration blueprints aligned with their clients’ broader goals.

Whether the objective is enhanced global access, asset protection, or generational planning, the right residency or citizenship solution can complement and elevate the family office’s broader wealth strategy.

At Farro & Co, we work with family offices and UHNW individuals to integrate global mobility solutions into their long-term wealth and legacy planning. To explore how residency or citizenship by investment can strengthen your family’s global strategy, contact us today to learn more and get started.