Why Dubai?

Safety

UAE as a whole ranks among the safest countries globally: According to Numbeo’s 2025 Safety Index, the UAE tops the list with a score of 85.2, marking it as the safest nation worldwide

Dubai among the world's safest cities: Dubai holds the third position globally, with a Safety Index of 83.9, trailing only Abu Dhabi (88.8) and Ajman (85.5)

Strong public infrastructure and enforcement: UAE’s rigorous law

enforcement, efficient governance, and political stability help sustain this high safety level. Dubai’s safety extends across public spaces, transportation, and daily life.

Livability

Local improvements and investments:

Recent EIU data indicates Dubai’s livability score climbed to 80.8, driven by strategic investments in healthcare, education, and infrastructure

Regional recognition:

Dubai is consistently highlighted among the top livable, “lovable,” and prosperous cities worldwide.

Infrastructure leadership:

The city ranked 4th globally on the IMD Smart City Index for 2025, reflecting high satisfaction with digital healthcare, green urban spaces, and smart city services

Dubai Market

Regional Leader

Dubai is the leading real estate market of the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa), a position it achieved in the years following 2002, and since then its regional leadership remains unquestionable. This turning point was due to the Freehold Property Act, which allowed foreigners unrestricted property ownership in certain zones for the first time. The resulting wave of investment and immigration, along with massive state-driven megaprojects, triggered the real estate boom.

Luxury focused

By 2023, Dubai had risen into the global top league – not only as a regional leader but also as a global leader in the luxury property market.

The developer market is still, and increasingly, dominated by giants such as DAMAC and Emaar, which develop thousands of units at once. Smaller firms (e.g., Ellington, Aqua Properties) usually deliver boutique-style projects, but their number remains limited.

Growth is further supported by Dubai’s expat-friendly visa programs, including the Golden Visa option

Demand driven

While supply is growing, demand remains much stronger: by the end of 2025, more than 60,000 new housing units are expected to be delivered, still far below the 300,000+ annual new visa applications. Current property prices typically range from USD 3,300 to 9,600 per m², depending on location and property type.

Expected yields:

Long-term rentals: net 4–8% annually (with outsourced management)

Short-term rentals / Airbnb: 10–12% annually

The Future

Outlook to 2040

Short term

Short term: growing number of ESG-focused, green-certified projects in line with Dubai’s urban greening plans. Simplified administration with high security (digital platforms, NFT-based transactions).

Long term

Long-term trends closely tied to the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040 and the D33 Agenda, aiming to double trade, green industries, expand infrastructure, education, and innovation, with a total program volume of USD 9 trillion.

Population growth

2040 goals include: sustainable city development, doubling the population (~3.6M → ~7.8M), strengthening Dubai as a global hub for business, investment, and livability.

Trends 2025-2040

Forecasted trends

Population growth to 7.5–8 million, driven by expats, retirees, and remote workers

Growing demand for mid-market and mixed-use projects

After the 2023–2027 supply boom, a market correction is expected, followed by renewed demand post-2030

Short-term rentals to become more regulated but remain attractive for investors

Price outlook

2025–2030: moderate but stable growth (avg. 3–6% annually)

2030–2040: some zones 5–8% annually

Luxury segment: premium stability, moderate yields

Summary

Dubai will remain the MENA region’s leading real estate market through 2040, driven by demographics, political stability, favorable regulations, and world-class infrastructure.

Tax

No property tax, inheritance tax, income tax, or capital gains tax – highly attractive for investors.

Certain new-builds subject to 5% VAT, often reclaimable.

Corporate tax: 9% on profits exceeding AED 375,000.

Financing

Mortgage financing widely available: typically up to 50% of value (after 50% equity already paid in case of off-plan), at annual interest rates of 3.8–4.5%.

Regulatory

Administration is fully digitalized, fast, and transparent.

Main authorities:

Dubai Land Department (DLD) – registry and ownership

Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) – regulation, licensing, supervision, compliance