A Q3 market report by fäm Properties shows Dubai logged 37,429 real-estate transactions worth AED 92.9 billion (US $25.3 billion) between July and September, with 81 percent of deals under AED 3 million. Analysts link the mid-price boom to the AED 2 million property-investment threshold that unlocks a 10-year Golden Visa. The data indicate investors are structuring purchases to fall just above the eligibility floor, using post-handover payment plans to spread out capital. Primary-market (off-plan) activity captured 57 percent of value, underscoring developer payment-schedule flexibility as a magnet for residency-driven buyers. For global-mobility teams, the trend means relocating executives can secure both housing and long-term residency through a single transaction, often backed by developer mortgages that accept foreign-income statements. Relocation budgets should therefore account for potential property purchases rather than defaulting to rental allowances. In the rental market, 298,984 contracts were registered in the first nine months of 2026, up 6.8 percent year-on-year. High liquidity shortens vacancy periods, so assignees should book temporary accommodation well in advance while awaiting Ejari registration. Looking ahead, consultants advise watching Central Bank base-rate decisions and Q4 population data, which could tighten supply further and push more expatriates toward the Golden Visa ownership route.
Source: Garant Business Consultancy
