Destinations / UAE / Dubai
Dubai, UAE
Data grade A: registered transactions (DLD) Updated Oct 2026
The Gulf’s most liquid property market, with every registered sale price published by the government.
On this page: What it buys · Where to look · All-in costs · Visas · Healthcare · Properties
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
asking price level
about AED 1,600/sqft, apartments (2025)
gross rental yield
about 7% gross, apartments (2025)
population
about 3.7 million
climate
sunny almost year-round
getting there
DXB, among the world's busiest hubs
Dubai runs the most transparent property market in our index: 214,912 sales worth AED 682 billion registered in 2025 alone, every one published by the Land Department. Yields lead the index at about 7% gross for apartments, there is no annual property tax, and buying from AED 750,000 brings a renewable residence visa. The flip side: service charges, off-plan risk and a market that moves in fast cycles.
What your money buys here
Typical buys at each band, drawn from current local asking prices. Use the price per square metre in the bar above as your anchor: multiply it by the size you need and you will spot an overpriced listing in seconds. Figures are approximate, lean to the cautious side, and get refreshed as our data passes land.
$200k
A studio in the Marina or a 1-bed in JVC (average apartment there: about AED 900k in 2025)
$350k
A solid 1-bed in newer mid-market districts, or a 2-bed further out
$500k
A 1-bed in prime towers or a 2-bed in JVC-tier districts
Dubai South, Dubailand and neighbouring Sharjah: the budget rings around the famous communities keep yields high. Going one town over usually buys a size or quality upgrade on the same budget, and these smaller markets are where patient buyers find the mispriced gems. Fewer listings means more waiting, so set the alert and be ready to travel when the right one appears.
The UAE is the world's long-haul crossroads: Dubai and Abu Dhabi fly nonstop to most major cities on earth, and the northern emirates share those airports within an hour's drive.
Where to look
1. Jumeirah Village Circle: the mid-market yield engine (7.8% gross in 2025)
2. Dubai Marina: the classic waterfront address (avg apartment about AED 2.4m)
3. Business Bay and Downtown: center-of-everything towers
All-in cost at $350k
Property price: $350,000 (about AED 1.29m)
Transfer fee (DLD, Dubai): 4%
Agent fee: typically 2%
Trustee, title and admin fees: roughly AED 7,000 to 12,000
Rule of thumb: budget 7 to 8% on top
No annual property tax; building service charges apply. Other emirates set their own transfer fees.
Visas and residency (most passports)
Buy-to-reside: Yes. A 2-year investor visa from AED 750,000 (about $204,000) in property, and the 10-year golden visa from AED 2,000,000 (about $545,000).
Remote work visa: Yes, 1 year, renewable.
Ownership: Foreigners buy freehold in designated zones; rules differ by emirate.
Healthcare and insurance
Private insurance is mandatory for residents, typically $200 to $600/month for a family of four depending on cover. World-class private hospitals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Schools and family
Schooling is private for expats: a very wide choice of international schools, typically $8,000 to $30,000/year. Fees are the biggest family budget line after housing.
Serious about Dubai?
Talk it through with a relocation and buying advisor. Visas, timing and the buying process, in one call.
Sources: Dubai Land Department open data, DXB Interact, Real Estate Club Dubai statistics (2025 full year), emirate visa pages. Figures marked approx are indicative and verified in our monthly data pass. Guidance, not legal or financial advice.