Is United Arab Emirates right for your strategy?
Tax-efficient income, global demand and residence-linked investment
Calculate with your own budget
Enter the planned property price to estimate acquisition costs, gross rent and recurring ownership costs.
Financing for foreign buyers
Resident and non-resident mortgages are available; off-plan plans are common.
Tax position
No broad personal rental-income tax, but fees, service charges, VAT and corporate rules can apply.
Buyer costs at a €1m reference price: €60k–€80k
This common price is used only to compare countries consistently. It is not a minimum or recommended investment amount.
Dubai illustration includes 4% DLD transfer fee, commonly 2% + VAT agency fee and registration/conveyancing costs.
Markets to compare within United Arab Emirates
Dubai Marina & JBR
Established waterfront rentals
Downtown & Business Bay
Central liquidity and global recognition
JVC & emerging communities
Higher yields with supply risk
Abu Dhabi investment zones
More stable institutional demand
Positive but cyclical
Opportunity
Population growth and global capital inflows support established communities.
Primary watchpoint
Future supply, service charges, off-plan delivery and guaranteed-return marketing.
Sources and data status
Reference period: latest published 2025–2026 official and established market data available at review. Last editorial verification: 28 September 2026.
Transaction-specific figures must be confirmed with the relevant authority and an independent local adviser before commitment.
2026 snapshot
- Indicative gross yield: approximately 5–8%, with major differences by building and location
- Typical buyer costs in Dubai: approximately 6–8% including transfer, agency and administration
- Short-term rental position: permitted in approved properties with the correct emirate-level holiday-home permit
- Property-linked residence: qualifying real estate can support renewable residence; the long-term Golden Visa threshold is generally AED 2 million under current rules
- Personal property/rental tax: no broad annual property tax or personal rental-income tax, but company, VAT and business rules can apply
Main investment locations
- Downtown Dubai and Business Bay: central, liquid and internationally recognised
- Dubai Marina and JBR: established waterfront rental demand
- Palm Jumeirah: luxury and trophy property
- Dubai Hills and Arabian Ranches: family villas and communities
- JVC and emerging communities: higher headline yields with supply risk
- Abu Dhabi investment zones: lower-volatility residential demand in designated areas
Who can buy?
Foreigners can buy freehold property in designated investment/freehold zones. Rules and registration differ by emirate. Buyers require passport, compliance and source-of-funds documentation. A reservation form is not a substitute for checking title, escrow, developer registration and the sale agreement.
Purchase and ownership costs
In Dubai, the DLD transfer fee is generally 4%. Buyers should also budget for trustee/registration fees, commonly 2% plus VAT agency commission, conveyancing, valuation, mortgage registration and developer NOC charges. Annual service charges are often the largest holding cost and must be checked per square foot and building.
Renting and short-term letting
Long-term tenancies are registered through the relevant emirate system, including Ejari in Dubai. Holiday homes require a permit and operator compliance. Gross yield projections must account for service charges, vacancy, furnishing, utilities, management and large future supply pipelines.
Key risks
Off-plan completion, payment-plan pricing, oversupply, developer quality, service-charge escalation, market cyclicality and misleading guaranteed-return schemes are the main risks.
Continue your research
Take the next step in United Arab Emirates
Method: calculations assume an individual cash buyer acquiring a resale residential property, without mortgage, renovation or buyer-specific relief. Figures are indicative planning ranges, not quotations or promised returns. Read the methodology →