Is it worth buying property in Dubai?

For Poles looking for an investment abroad, Dubai is increasingly placed alongside Spain. It is a completely different market — dynamic, heavily regulated and aimed more at return on investment than at holiday living — so it is worth knowing both the advantages and the limitations before making a decision.

Arguments for buying in Dubai

Zero personal income tax means that rental income is not subject to local tax (the settlement in Poland depends on your individual tax situation). There is also no cadastral property tax and no capital gains tax on sale.

The rental market is one of the most profitable in the world — the average gross yield in 2026 is about 6.3%, with apartments (on average 6.7%) earning clearly better than villas (on average 4.5%), and in selected locations (e.g. International City, Dubai Sports City, Dubai South) yields reach 7–9%.

Foreigners can own property on a freehold basis in designated zones — including Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) and Dubai Hills Estate — without needing residency or a visa.

Buying property worth AED 2 million or more (about USD 545,000) entitles you to a 10-year renewable residence visa (the so-called Golden Visa) — it can be one property or several combined to reach the threshold, even bought with a mortgage (the full value of the property counts, not the down payment), as well as off-plan properties from a developer registered with RERA.

What to watch out for

The off-plan market (buying “from the plan”, before construction is complete) offers lower entry prices and spread-out payments, but carries the risk of construction delays — it is essential to check that the developer runs the project through an escrow account required by RERA law. The market is also more cyclical than the European one — prices and rents can fluctuate depending on the supply of new developments. Running costs (service charges) are set individually for each building or complex and are worth checking before buying, because they can significantly affect the real rental return.

Who it is a good investment for

Dubai works above all as an investment for rental and for diversifying assets outside Europe, less often as a place to live permanently for a Polish family (the climate, culture and distance from Poland are completely different than in Spain). If you are looking for a holiday property close to Poland, the Costa Blanca or the Costa del Sol remain the natural choice; if you are interested in a high return and portfolio diversification, Dubai deserves attention.

See what the property purchase procedure in Dubai looks like step by step →