Investment property in the UAE: what to buy in Dubai and what it costs
Typical properties for rental income and a visa with the average market price for their district, yields, buying costs and owner taxes.
In 2026 a square metre of an apartment in Dubai costs on average about $5,800 (22,000 dirhams) based on Dubai Land Department deals, up 18% over the year. A studio to rent out starts from $180,000, a property from 2 million dirhams (about $550,000) gives a 10-year golden visa, and there are no taxes on owning or renting out.
Below are five typical properties with the market price for their district, the price per square metre by district, rental yields, costs on top of the price and which visa the purchase gives. A manager finds real properties for your budget.
The market in brief
Prices and rules checked on 18 October 2026.
What properties investors buy in Dubai
These are not listings but typical properties: the price is the market average for this type in this district, and a manager finds real options with the seller's price.
A studio for long-term rent in a residential district
A district of low-rise buildings between the main highways: parks inside the circle, schools and supermarkets, 15-20 minutes by car to the Marina and the business centre. Studios here are rented by office and service workers.
A one-bedroom apartment at the golden visa threshold
A business district along the canal next to Downtown: offices, hotels and a waterfront promenade. A 75 m² one-bedroom apartment costs on average just over 2 million dirhams, the threshold for a 10-year golden visa.
A one-bedroom apartment by the water
Towers around a man-made harbour, a promenade with restaurants, Jumeirah Beach and the tram within walking distance. There are tourists and tenants all year round; short-term letting needs a permit from the tourism department.
A two-bedroom apartment in the city centre
The district around the world's tallest building and the city's largest mall: a boulevard, fountains, the metro. The most expensive square metre among the districts in the cards; tenants are company executives and tourists.
A villa with a garden in a green district
A suburban district with a central park, a golf course, schools and a large mall, 15-20 minutes to Downtown. Families buy villas here to live in, and investors to let long term.
The card price is the average for this type in the district based on Dubai Land Department deals from two independent summaries (12 months to 16 October 2026 and the first half of 2026), multiplied by a typical floor area. Dollars at the exchange rate of 18 October 2026.
How much a square metre costs in Dubai districts in 2026
On average an apartment in Dubai costs about 1,970 dirhams per square foot, or about $5,800 per m², and prices rose 18% over the year. Districts differ twofold: from about $4,500 per m² in Jumeirah Village Circle to about $9,200 in Downtown.
| District and type | Price per m², average | Typical property |
|---|---|---|
| Jumeirah Village Circle, apartments | ~$4,500 (17,000 dirhams) | 40 m² studio, ~$180,000 |
| Dubai Marina, apartments | ~$6,400 (24,000 dirhams) | 80 m² one-bedroom, ~$510,000 |
| Business Bay, apartments | ~$7,400 (27,000 dirhams) | 75 m² one-bedroom, ~$560,000 |
| Dubai Hills, villas | ~$7,900 (29,000 dirhams) | 300 m² villa, ~$2,400,000 |
| Downtown, apartments | ~$9,200 (34,000 dirhams) | 120 m² two-bedroom, ~$1,100,000 |
| Dubai average, apartments | ~$5,800 (22,000 dirhams) | 70 m² apartment, ~$410,000 |
Data for 2026: Dubai Land Department deals, the average of two summaries; the city average is for the first half of 2026. 1 square foot = 0.0929 m²; dollars at the exchange rate of 18 October 2026.
What yield renting out gives
The gross yield from long-term rent in Dubai is about 6.7% a year before costs. Individuals pay no tax on rental income, so the net income depends mainly on the building's service charges, empty periods and whether you let for a year or short term.
| What affects income | How it works in Dubai |
|---|---|
| Tax on rental income | none for individuals |
| Building service charges | paid by the owner every year, the amount depends on the building and district |
| Short-term letting | only with a permit from the emirate's tourism department |
| Building under construction | no rent until handover, payments follow the developer's schedule |
Data for 2026: the yield is the Dubai average; countries are compared in the rental yield table.
Approved developers sell off-plan apartments with instalments until handover, and such apartments qualify for the golden visa. The buyer's money goes only to the project's escrow account at a bank, and the developer receives it as construction progresses.
What costs to add to the property price
| Payment | Amount |
|---|---|
| Dubai Land Department fee | 4% of the price, usually paid by the buyer |
| Registration at a trustee office | about 4,000 dirhams (~$1,100) plus VAT |
| Total on top of the price | about 4.5% |
| Annual property tax | none |
| Service charges | every year, depend on the building |
| Tax on sale | none for individuals |
Data for 2026. Agent commission and mortgage costs depend on the deal; a manager calculates the total for a specific property.
In Dubai the project is checked before the first payment
Mistakes cost more than the fee: a building without project registration and an escrow account, high service charges that eat the income, or short-term letting without a tourism department permit. Murblz support removes these risks: we find a property for the budget and goal, check the seller, developer and project, and handle the contract, Dubai Land Department registration and the visa together with locally licensed partners.
The cost of support depends on the purchase budget and the goal - income, a visa or a home for yourself; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
Does buying give a visa
Yes. A 10-year golden visa is granted for property worth 2 million dirhams or more, about $550,000. Several properties can be combined, and off-plan apartments from approved developers also qualify.
Since 29 April 2026 a 2-year investor visa is granted to the sole owner of a ready freehold home with no minimum value. If there are several owners who are not relatives, each share must be worth at least 400,000 dirhams, about $110,000. Foreigners buy only in freehold zones. Details are on the page UAE residence permit by investment.
How we find a property
- Budget and goal: rental income, the golden visa, a home for yourself or resale after handover. The manager clarifies the district, ready or off-plan, and how you will pay.
- A selection of real properties: apartments and villas with the seller's or developer's price, floor area, payment plan and a yield calculation.
- Checks: the seller and no debts on the property, the project registration and escrow account, service charges.
- A remote deal: contract, payment, registration with the Dubai Land Department and visa documents.
The manager sends the selection to the chat, with sellers' and developers' prices on the date of the selection.
Options in other countries
Investment property in other countries:
- Investment property in Turkey: what to buy and what it costs
- Investment property in Serbia: what to buy and what it costs
More on buying in this country:
- Buying property in the UAE: rules, taxes and the deal
- How to buy an apartment in Dubai
- Mortgage for foreigners in the UAE
- UAE residence permit by investment
- Taxes in the UAE
- The UAE: country overview
All countries and budgets compared - on the page Investment property abroad.
FAQ
How much does an apartment in Dubai cost in 2026?
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
What is the rental yield in Dubai?
What property gives a UAE golden visa?
Does an affordable apartment give a UAE visa?
What are the costs of buying property in Dubai?
Is there a property tax in Dubai?
Can you buy an apartment in Dubai remotely?
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we shortlist properties for your goal, run legal checks and support the deal through to registration. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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