Paradise Lost: The Dubai Expat Crisis with Mikkel Thorup

About this episode

John Odermatt discusses the implications of the Iran conflict on Dubai's expat community with consultant Mikkel Thorup.

Most expats moved to Dubai chasing tax-free income, luxury living, and warm weather — but the war with Iran has exposed the fragile foundations beneath that dream. In this episode, John Odermatt speaks with world-renowned expat consultant Mikkel Thorup about why he left the UAE seven years ago, what he saw coming, and what current residents need to know. Thorup spent nearly a decade in the UAE before recognizing that its dependence on imported food, desalinated water, and hydrocarbon energy made it dangerously vulnerable to regional conflict. He shares firsthand accounts of stranded tourists, canceled Iranian Golden Visas, potential banking disruptions, and the very real consequences of living near active missile exchanges. For those looking for an alternative, Thorup points to Latin America as an increasingly attractive destination — politically shifting rightward, food and water independent, and offering genuine tax-free lifestyles. He closes with practical advice on building an offshore Plan B whether or not you ever physically move, covering banking, holding companies, real estate, and residency strategies. For anyone currently in the UAE or rethinking their global base, this…

People in this episode

Host: John Odermatt

Guest: Mikkel Thorup

Topics covered

• expat crisis
• Dubai
• Iran conflict
• offshore planning
• tax-free living
• regional vulnerability

Keywords

• Dubai expat crisis
• Mikkel Thorup
• Iran conflict
• offshore plan B
• tax-free income
• UAE vulnerabilities

Sponsors

Fox & Sons Coffee

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Dubai, UAE, Iran, Latin America

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