Everything You Need to Know About Buying Property in Dubai
The Ultimate Investment Hub for Global Investors
Dubai’s real estate market is a global hotspot for international investors. Thanks to UAE’s investor-friendly tax-free policies along with other related benefits of buying property in Dubai, these factors play a pivotal role in making the city a key attraction for business owners and ultra-high-net worth clientele.
The stats and figures for the first two quarters of 2025 are substantial and serve as a testimonial for why the city is a key destination for those looking to buy property in Dubai for higher return. Policies such as tax-free returns, lucrative investment opportunities with the potential of maximum capital gains, 100% ownership on freehold properties for international buyers, and ease of doing business from both mainland and freezone areas. These are the key factors that play an integral part in attracting foreign investments, firming Dubai’s economic position among the top 3 globally.
Dubai’s Market Performance in H1 2025
We are already in the third quarter of 2025, and the growth in Dubai’s property market is significant. The numbers are great in terms of transactions and appreciation. The trend trajectory is going upward, forecasting a very positive real estate impact by the end of this year. The data released by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) signifies that the total value of property deals from January 1 to May 31, 2025, reached AED 272.41 billion (over Rs20.83 trillion). The total number of transactions recorded was 74,22.
The major transactional peak was seen in May, both in terms of commercial and residential units. Over the past five months, 57,569 residential units, including apartments and villas, were sold. Additionally, 6,130 buildings and 10,522 plots were purchased, further solidifying Dubai’s position as a hotspot for property to buy in Dubai.
The highest single-day sales were recorded on May 26, 2025, with transactions net worth AED 6.306 billion (around Rs482 billion). Out of this, AED 4.818 billion (Rs368.3 billion) came from ready properties, while AED 1.488 billion (Rs113.8 billion) came from off-plan properties.
Factors driving Dubai Real Estate Market:
Many key factors are involved in the rise of Dubai real estate and its global reputation. Investors enjoy UAE’s tax-free policies, which means there are no taxes on investments and returns. Investors can benefit from the high property appreciations and unmatched rental yields with no taxes on your capital gains.
The ideal environment for businesses, a high influx of tourists, and an ideal city for residence, globally recognized healthcare system all contributes to the consistent demand for buying property in Dubai, be it for rental or residential purposes.
Dubai’s D33 and 2040 Strategic Plans driving the future:
The strategic development plans such as D33 and the 2040 Urban master development plan have a huge impact on the robust Dubai real estate market. The planning provides well-structured strategies for the future of Dubai, focused on new developments, infrastructure innovation, including green sustainable communities, eco-friendly infrastructure, etc.
These plans are focused on increasing Dubai’s population, with an emphasis on new developments and residential communities. The new international airport of Dubai, Al Maktoum International Airport, which is set to become the largest airport in the world, will significantly shift the overall dynamics of Dubai’s real estate market.
Many renowned developers are launching off-plan properties in these areas so that clients can capitalize on this lucrative investment opportunity. If you’re considering where to buy property in Dubai, emerging areas like Dubai South and Dubai Motor City are excellent options. At PFOC Properties, we keep an eye on the latest market trends of the UAE. Our expert agents guide you through the entire buying of property in Dubai process, ensuring your investment benefits you in the long run with unmatched property appreciation and high rental yields.
UAE Residency via Real estate investments
The UAE is famous for its investment-related visas such as the Investor visa and Golden visa that are directly related to your investments.
- You can get the most sought-after visa, i.e. the Golden Visa, on investments of 2M Dirhams, which is valid for 10 years. You can invest in one property or split that cost into multiple properties according to your choice and investment goals.
- Another visa option that is very popular among investors is the Investor visa that you can get on investments of 750,000 AED, valid for 3 years.
Off-Plan Properties Dominating Dubai’s Real Estate
If you’re a first-time buyer aiming to start your investment journey in the Dubai real estate market and your main goal is to benefit from the tax-free capital gains, off-plan properties can be your option. These properties are found in almost all freehold areas, considered most sought-after areas of Dubai, providing 100% ownership to clients as well as access to properties with high demand. These projects offer more potential developments, innovative designs, and future demand, considering Dubai D33 and 2040 urban master development plans.
Advantages of Buying Off-Plan Property:
Off-plan properties come with a lot of advantages, such as:
- These properties are relatively cheaper compared to ready-to-move properties.
- Payment plans are flexible, and some developers are offering post-handover payment plans, meaning clients pay the rest of the payments after the handover of the project. Typically, the post-handover payment percentages range from 30% to 40%.
- Buying off-plan property can yield a good return on investment (ROI); you can either wait until the project is completed or flip your property during the construction phase, assuming 40% of the payment plan is already completed.
When to Buy Ready-to-Move Property
The rental market in Dubai is saturated, and finding an apartment in an ideal location can be a task. So, if you are planning to move to Dubai for a longer period, investing in ready-to-move property is a better option. This way, you not only get your dream home in the world’s most thriving city, but the capital gains are unmatched.
Luxury or Affordable Properties: Which Is a Better Investment Option?
Both types of property, whether you are going for luxury property or affordable ones, are good investment options. Investing in luxury properties is a good option because of the following perks:
- Exclusive amenities
- Prime locations
- High capital appreciation
Luxury properties, such as villas, townhouses, and apartments, are often located in premium locations like Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, and Sheikh Zayed Road. These properties appreciate significantly, sometimes as much as 2x the actual buying price. Luxury properties offer exclusive state-of-the-art amenities, distinguishing them from affordable ones.
Affordable properties are typically located in newly developed or emerging areas like Dubai South, JVC, and JLT. These areas offer modern layouts, sophisticated amenities, and seamless access to Dubai’s most sought-after destinations.
Areas That Promise High ROI
As Dubai continues to develop and expand, both old and newly developing areas show great potential. The most popular and prime areas for high appreciation and rental yields are Business Bay, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Palm Jumeirah.
But the potential of new areas also cannot be neglected. The real estate transaction figures from 2024 were astonishing, recording transactions of $32bn. Dubai’s real estate market continued its upward trajectory in Q2 2025, registering AED 144.7 billion in transactions. This serves as a testimonial for the thriving Dubai real estate market.
Post-Handover Payment Plans: Easy Accessibility to Dubai Real Estate Market
Dubai’s real estate market offers something for everyone. International investors can benefit from this diversity. Off-plan properties are a great starting point and lucrative for investors looking for secure and easy investment options. The most popular among international buyers is the post-handover payment plan. In this plan, you pay a certain amount, typically 30% to 40%, after the handover of the project. Clients can use the rental income to cover the remaining payments or pay that amount themselves.
Final Word
Dubai’s real estate market is booming and is one of the best property decisions you can make in terms of your investment journey. No matter what type of property you’re looking for, whether it’s ready to move or off-plan property, both come with their own pros and cons.
However, you should be aware of certain things while investing in Dubai’s real estate market, such as hidden costs and charges involved in off-plan properties, like the 4% DLD and other government fees. Additionally, if you’ve chosen an off-plan property, an inspection before getting the keys is mandatory. If you find any differences between the proposed quality and the final delivered product, inform the developer in writing to resolve the issues.
FAQs
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes, foreigners can buy property in Dubai. Dubai real estate laws allow foreign investors to enjoy 100% ownership rights in freehold areas of Dubai. The majority of Dubai areas are freehold now.
How to buy property in Dubai?
The process of buying property is very simple and easy. Both local and international clients can enjoy the seamless process of buying property. As an international client, all you need is a valid passport and national identity card. As an international buyer, a few more some paperwork might be required.
Do you get a visa if you buy property in Dubai?
Yes, one of the main perks and advantages associated with Dubai Investments is the visas associated with it. The two very important categories among the real estate investors are golden visa and Investor visa.
You can get an investor visa on the investments AED 750,000 with the validity of up to 2 years.
Another very popular visa type is Golden Visa. Investors can get this by Investing AED 2M on a single or multiple properties in UAE. This visa has the validity of 10 years.
How to buy property in Dubai from Pakistan?
As a Pakistani investor, you can easily buy property in Dubai. All you need is a trusted real estate partner agency like PFOC Properties
to guide you through your investment journey. We not only make your property research seamless but also, we provide you with a long-term solution for all your future goals like reselling or flipping your property at a more appreciated price.
How to buy commercial property in Dubai?
Dubai real estate market is diverse and dynamic. You can easily buy commercial property there. There are mainly two types of areas available, mainland and freezone. Each has their own perks and benefits, and at PFOC Properties we provide you with the best possible matches in the market according to your needs.
Where can expats buy property in Dubai?
The Dubai market is very diverse and caters to a vast majority of individuals irrespective of their nationalities. Anyone can buy property in Dubai and enjoy 100% ownership rights in designated freehold areas.
Can an expat buy property in Dubai?
Yes, as an expat you can buy property in Dubai, all you need is your valid passport and some additional documents. Investments in Dubai can give you extra perks and advantages of Investor visa and golden visa depending upon the amount you’re investing.