Just wanted to share some thoughts based on what I’ve seen others do in similar situations, especially with mid 6-figure exits, newly incorporated UK Ltds, and people wanting to reduce their tax exposure.
You’re actually in a really good position timing-wise. Since we’ve just started the new tax year in the UK, moving out now could make a real difference. HMRC cares about where you’re tax resident at the time of the sale, so the earlier you move, the cleaner the outcome.
A lot of people immediately think of Malta or Cyprus, but honestly, UAE (specifically Dubai) is one of the most straightforward routes. No
capital gains tax, no personal
income tax, and you can become a tax resident quite fast if you set things up properly. There are a few compliance steps like establishing a company, getting a visa, etc., but it’s all doable within a few weeks if you stay on top of it.
One thing to note: Wise isn’t really an option in the UAE. They don’t support residents properly anymore, especially when it comes to holding funds in AED or doing cross-border stuff. A lot of people get caught by that. You’d likely need to go with a local or
EMI provider that has stronger coverage for this kind of move.
Another important point, it’s not just about physically leaving the UK. If HMRC still sees you as tied to the UK (like owning a property, being a director in a
UK Ltd, or even spending too many days there), you might still get taxed. Cutting those ties properly, notifying HMRC, resigning from your UK company, closing accounts is what really makes the difference.
As for structures, some people overcomplicate it with layered holdings and offshore setups. In your case, if the goal is just to sell the website cleanly and walk away, you might be better off keeping it simple move out, set up a tax-resident structure where you land, and make sure you’re not still considered UK-linked.
Not financial advice, just a bit of input from seeing a few people go through this.
Hope it helps, and curious what others here have done too.
