Sir Mo Farah has made a permanent move with his family from the UK to Qatar, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Farah, who has been residing with his family in Doha since 2024, has now officially changed his residency status.
The 43-year-old, along with his wife Tania and their four children – stepdaughter Rihanna, twin girls Aisha and Amani, and son Hussein – relocated to Doha, the capital of Qatar, following his retirement from competitive running. According to reports from The Sun, Farah has transitioned his residency from the UK to Qatar in the documentation for his company, which holds assets worth £3.9 million and paid £375,000 in tax and VAT in 2023. By shifting his residency to Qatar, the four-time Olympic gold medalist will be exempt from paying taxes.
This move comes amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, with Qatar also being impacted by the regional tensions. Despite over 100,000 Brits fleeing the Middle East to return to the UK since the conflict started, Farah and his family, who own a residence in Weybridge, Surrey, have decided to make Qatar their permanent home.
Having experienced previous tensions between the US and Iran, Farah expressed concerns about safety in London and highlighted Qatar as a safer environment for his family. Originally from Somalia, Farah moved to the UK as a child and spent seven years living in Portland, Oregon, during his athletic career. Farah emphasized that their move to Qatar was driven by the desire for their children to grow up away from the public spotlight.
In an interview with The National in November, Farah explained his decision to settle in Qatar, stating that his family had enjoyed their time in the country during the 2022 World Cup. He emphasized the importance of spending quality time with his family post-retirement and supporting his children in their endeavors. Farah expressed contentment with the move, highlighting the convenience of being able to balance family time with his professional commitments.