Answers · current to September 2026

What leaving costs.

18 origins modeled for the charge on the way out: a tax on unrealized gains, a rule on returning early, or nothing at all.

In short, current to September 2026

  • 8 of the 18 origins modeled charge tax on unrealized gains when residence ends: Toronto at 27%, Paris at 30%, Tel Aviv at 30%, Sydney at 24%, Munich at 28%, Amsterdam at 31%, Oslo at 38% and Johannesburg at 18%.
  • On a $10,000,000 unrealized gain, that charge runs from $1.8M to $3.8M.
  • London has no exit tax. It taxes gains realized abroad at 24% only if you return within 5 full tax years.
  • The United States does not tax a non citizen on leaving. A citizen stays taxed on worldwide income, and renouncing triggers a deemed sale at 24% of gains above the exclusion.
  • 7 origins charge nothing on departure: Zurich, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Stockholm and São Paulo. Figures are current to September 2026.

Source: the Patrician.ch board, an original ranking of 100 residence addresses across 48 countries and territories. Tax rates, thresholds and routes are sourced. Cost, safety, schools, sun and beauty are Patrician.ch editorial indices. Figures current to September 2026. Updated . Cite as: Patrician.ch, Exit tax by country 2026: what leaving costs a high earner, patrician.ch/answers/exit-tax-by-country/, September 2026.

By origin

The charge on a $10,000,000 gain.

LeavingOn departureOn a $10M gainDeferral
New Yorknone, unless a citizen renounces$0Not applicable unless you renounce.
Los Angelesnone, unless a citizen renounces$0Not applicable unless you renounce.
Toronto27%$2.7MPayment can be deferred with security posted until the actual sale.
Londonnone, 24% on early return$0No deferral.
Paris30%$3MAutomatic inside the EU or EEA, on guarantee elsewhere.
Zurichnone$0Not applicable.
Tel Aviv30%$3MElective deferral to the actual sale.
Dubainone$0Not applicable.
Mumbainone$0Not applicable.
Singaporenone$0Not applicable.
Hong Kongnone$0Not applicable.
Sydney24%$2.4MElective, by treating the assets as Australian property until sold.
Munich28%$2.8MPayable in 7 annual installments on application, usually against security.
Amsterdam31%$3.1MPayment is deferred until you sell or take dividends, without security inside the EU or EEA and against security elsewhere.
Stockholmnone$0No deferral needed.
Oslo38%$3.8MUp to 12 annual installments, and 70% of any dividends taken meanwhile go toward it.
Johannesburg18%$1.8MNo deferral.
São Paulonone$0Not applicable.

Headline rate applied flat to the whole gain. Thresholds, exemptions and the holding structure change the figure. Each origin page carries the full rule.

Questions

The short answers.

Which countries have an exit tax?

Of the 18 origins modeled, Toronto, Paris, Tel Aviv, Sydney, Munich, Amsterdam, Oslo and Johannesburg tax unrealized gains when residence ends.

London has no exit tax as such but taxes gains realized abroad on an early return. The United States taxes a citizen who renounces, not one who simply moves.

How much is the exit tax on a $10 million gain?

Between $1.8M and $3.8M across the 8 origins that charge one, at the headline rate.

Thresholds and exemptions lower it, and France charges only above 800,000 EUR of holdings or a 50% stake.

Can the exit tax be deferred?

Yes, in 7 of the 8 origins that charge one: Toronto, Paris, Tel Aviv, Sydney, Munich, Amsterdam and Oslo.

Toronto: Payment can be deferred with security posted until the actual sale. Paris: Automatic inside the EU or EEA, on guarantee elsewhere. Tel Aviv: Elective deferral to the actual sale. Sydney: Elective, by treating the assets as Australian property until sold. Munich: Payable in 7 annual installments on application, usually against security. Amsterdam: Payment is deferred until you sell or take dividends, without security inside the EU or EEA and against security elsewhere. Oslo: Up to 12 annual installments, and 70% of any dividends taken meanwhile go toward it.

Is there an exit tax when you leave the UK?

No. The United Kingdom has no exit tax on departure.

Gains realized abroad are taxed at 24% if you return within 5 full tax years. After 5 full tax years of non residence the rule no longer applies.

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The general case, ranked: Where should high earners live in 2026 · Best country to live in if you are rich · Best countries for high earners after tax · Europe · United States

Tax figures use a simplified marginal model with indicative 2026 brackets for a non-US single filer, ignore social contributions, most deductions, wealth taxes, and treaties, and are not advice. Residence rules change often. Verify before acting.

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