The UAE’s real estate sector is emerging as one of the world’s most powerful magnets for global wealth. In recent years, the market has evolved into a dynamic hub for international investors, high-net-worth individuals and global families seeking stability, high returns and a premium lifestyle.
This transformation is no accident. It’s the result of deliberate, future-forward policies, residency and visa reforms and a proactive approach to global shifts in capital and lifestyle preferences. As economic uncertainty remains a concern in traditional markets, the UAE’s offerings make it stand out as a preferred investment destination with security, transparency and opportunity, all backed by world-class infrastructure and a high standard of living.
Today, international investors are no longer asking if they should enter the UAE market, but how soon. The country’s real estate landscape is not only attracting wealth, but it’s also reshaping where and how the global elite choose to live, work and grow their assets.
Key factors driving high-net-worth individuals to the UAE
The UAE has secured its place as the world’s leading destination for millionaire migration, according to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025, and is also laying the groundwork for long-term dominance in asset management and wealth preservation. The UAE is expected to see an unprecedented net inflow of 9,800 high-net-worth individuals this year, proving its position as a premier destination for private wealth.
Despite regional political volatility and tension, investment migration to the UAE shows no sign of slowing. On the contrary, some may argue that such instability is accelerating the success of the Emirates’ financial centers.
Personal status and tax laws
Amendments to the UAE’s personal status laws — notably the disapplication of Islamic Sharia principles for expat residents in matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance — have also proven especially attractive to many ultra-wealthy investors relocating to the country.
In addition, the absence of income, capital gains and inheritance taxes makes the UAE especially attractive to global investors.
“The UAE’s rise as an asset management hub is powered by its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, availability of massive pools of capital, English common law jurisdictions and a regulatory environment that transforms global wealth into local opportunity,” says Dr. Bhaskar Dasgupta, chairman of the Apex Middle East and India Boards.
Golden Visa program
Since its launch in 2019, the UAE’s Golden Visa program has undergone regular enhancements to ensure it remains an attractive proposition for those seeking long-term residence. In the past nine months, five new sponsor-free categories have been introduced. These include nurses and healthcare professionals, e-sports and gaming experts, exceptional educators in Dubai, luxury yacht owners in Abu Dhabi and digital content creators, influencers and filmmakers.
For real estate investors, the UAE Golden visa allows individuals owning a property the purchase value of which is equal to or more than AED2 million at the time of purchase, to apply for a 10-year renewable residence permit.
In parallel, the UAE stands out globally for formally recognizing the significance of family-owned businesses in its national development. It remains the only country to enshrine the family’s role within its economic and social policy frameworks. The Dubai Social Agenda 33, backed by a dedicated budget of AED208 billion, places family cohesion, generational prosperity and human development at the center of national strategy.
Attractive real estate investment destinations
While Abu Dhabi and Dubai continue to lead in attracting FDI, other emirates are also positioning themselves to capture growing capital inflows. A notable contender is the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), which is rapidly emerging as a lifestyle-led investment and tourism-driven real estate destination.
According to Knight Frank, 46 percent of global high-net-worth individuals now view RAK as a more attractive real estate destination because of this development. Among UAE-based high-net-worth expatriates, 80 percent believe the Wynn Resort project significantly enhances RAK’s appeal as a real estate investment destination.
Why the UAE’s real estate market?
The UAE’s real estate market plays a pivotal role in attracting High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) by offering a unique combination of lifestyle, security, investment opportunity and strategic advantages. Political stability, neutral foreign policy and strong governance make the UAE’s property market especially attractive to HNWIs looking to safeguard their assets amid global uncertainty.
Long-term residency
The UAE, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi, offers world-class luxury living with the availability of waterfront properties, luxury penthouses and an abundance of branded residences. High-end hospitality, fine dining, private schooling and elite health services also make it an ideal base for global elites.
Real estate investment is also directly linked to long-term residency visas, such as the 10-year Golden Visa, which is a major pull factor for HNWIs and their families. These programs provide a pathway to stability without the burdens of full citizenship or taxation found elsewhere.
Strong rental yields
Another major factor driving the wealthy to the UAE is the strong rental yields across its real estate market, especially in Dubai, which often offers yields between 6 to 8 percent in prime areas, outperforming many prominent global cities. HNWIs are also drawn to the diversity of property types, from luxury short-term rentals to off-plan developments with long-term upside.
In the UAE, real estate laws have matured significantly, creating a transparent and regulated market that builds investor trust. For instance, initiatives by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) have enhanced investor confidence by ensuring fair practices, digital registration and investor protection.
High demand
Strong investor confidence, flexible regulations and an expanding pipeline of projects has led to a surge in real estate transactions across the nation. Across five emirates in the UAE, transactions surged to over $65 billion in the first quarter of 2025 alone. From January to March, more than 94,719 sales, purchase and mortgage deals were recorded in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah, marking a robust start for the UAE’s property sector.
In the past year, the property markets in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman experienced notable activity in transaction volumes, maintaining robust performance levels due to a variety of investment opportunities and an increasing demand for different types of properties.
According to official statistics from the local real estate authorities of these four emirates, the total value of real estate transactions reached approximately AED893 billion by the close of 2024, with over 331,300 transactions documented. Mortgage transactions alone surpassed AED229.3 billion, comprising more than 50,000 transactions, excluding mortgages in Ajman.
Tech development and Crypto adoption
In a groundbreaking move that cements Dubai’s position as a global leader in real estate innovation, DLD officially launched the region’s first licensed tokenized real estate investment platform this year. The newly launched digital platform enables individual investors to purchase tokenized shares in premium, ready-to-own properties in Dubai, further easing access to the growing market.
Thanks to the UAE’s proactive stance on blockchain and digital asset regulation, Dubai also stands out as one of the few cities globally where cryptocurrency can be legally and securely utilized for acquiring both residential and commercial real estate. By early 2025, numerous top developers and real estate brokers have begun accepting Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and even stablecoins like USDT for property transactions.
This shift is hardly shocking as many global crypto holders are now keen to convert their digital wealth into tangible, income-generating assets, and the UAE’s real estate market offers robust capital appreciation, tax-free ownership and immense global appeal for the world’s wealthiest.
Dubai in focus: Affordable luxury properties
Faisal Durrani is Partner – Head of Research, MENA, and Shehzad Jamal is Partner – Strategy & Consulting, MEA at Knight Frank, explain that Dubai’s rise as a premier investment destination is no accident. The city’s strategic location makes it an attractive hub for international business and travel. In addition, near-constant investments in infrastructure and connectivity provide a robust foundation for economic growth and high living standards.
“Overall, global HNWIs cite Dubai’s high-quality infrastructure as the top factor that makes the emirate an attractive place for real estate investment. In fact, the UAE’s infrastructure quality was ranked fourth globally in the World Economic Forum’s 2023 competitiveness report,” they told Economy Middle East.
Despite the soaring prices, Dubai remains one of the most affordable luxury real estate markets globally. For instance, $1 million secures approximately 980 square feet of prime residential space in Dubai, compared to 366 square feet in New York, 355 square feet in London, and just 172 square feet in Monaco. This affordability, combined with the city’s high standard of living and safety, makes it an attractive destination for HNWIs, Durrani and Jamal added.
The increasing influx of HNWIs to Dubai is also evident in the strong demand for luxury properties. The AED10 million+ ($2.72 million) segment, a key benchmark of Dubai’s prime residential landscape, saw a tenfold rise in transactions over the past four years, from 469 in 2020 to 4,670 in 2024, according to Savills Middle East’s Dubai Prime Residential 2025 report.
Savills also anticipates continued momentum through the year, with projected growth of 8–10 percent for the prime segment in 2025, as wealth migration, new masterplan communities and lifestyle-led developments reshape Dubai’s upper-tier housing market.
Read| UAE Golden visa for real estate investors: Comprehensive guide 2025
Future-proof destination for global capital
The UAE’s emergence as a global wealth magnet is no accident; it reflects the nation’s long-term vision rooted in adaptability, ambition and global relevance. As traditional markets grapple with economic pressures, regulatory complexities and shifting tax regimes, the UAE continues to position itself as a stable, opportunity-rich environment for global investors and high-net-worth individuals.
Real estate has become the gateway, not only to long-term residency, but to a lifestyle, ecosystem of innovation and a reliable platform for wealth preservation. With continued investments in infrastructure, digital transformation and lifestyle-centric urban planning, the UAE is not only attracting wealth but also setting a new benchmark for how cities of the future will compete for it.
