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Live figures for the UAE — rental yields, mortgage rates, price per square metre and transfer costs — alongside buying guides for Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Market snapshot
| Market | Rental yield | Mortgage rate | Price / sqft | Transfer tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
UAE In briefTax-free property investment in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the wider Emirates | 6.7% | 4.2% | AED 1,654 | 4.0% |
Gold rule marks the strongest figure in each column.
Prices converted to AED at today's rate.
Figures are indicative, drawn from INTRIC's own market data, and not a substitute for professional advice.
Go deeper
Guides for these markets

Country guide
Tax-free property investment in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the wider Emirates
United Arab Emirates · 25 min read
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City guide
The UAE capital combines sovereign wealth stability with world-class cultural ambitions, offering investors a more measured alternative to Dubai's rapid pace. From the Louvre-anchored cultural district of Saadiyat Island to the entertainment megaprojects of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi delivers institutional-grade real estate backed by the world's largest sovereign wealth fund. Freehold ownership zones, zero income tax, and a government committed to economic diversification make this a compelling long-term hold. Abu Dhabi's deliberate approach to development — favouring quality over quantity — has created a market characterized by strong governance, sustainable growth, and premium liveability that appeals to families, diplomats, and corporate executives.
United Arab Emirates · 8 min read
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City guide
Ajman, the smallest UAE emirate by area, has become the federation's leading value-driven residential market, drawing buyers and tenants priced out of Dubai and Sharjah with affordable apartments, larger layouts and some of the highest rental yields in the country. Crucially for foreign investors, Ajman offers genuine freehold: expatriates can buy full ownership in designated freehold zones such as Ajman Corniche, Al Nuaimiya towers, Al Rashidiya and the master-planned Al Zorah and Al Jurf waterfronts. The market gained momentum in 2025 as value-led demand accelerated, with Ajman Downtown price-per-square-foot up about 32%, Corniche Ajman up 16% and Al Nuaimiya up 10%. Entry pricing is low, Al Nuaimiya apartments commonly trade from roughly AED 180,000-400,000, and ROI in strong rental districts reaches 9-10%, occasionally up to 10.5%. The honest caveat is that these elevated yields reflect a lower-priced, more affordability-sensitive tenant base and a smaller, less liquid market than Dubai, so vacancy and demand are more cyclical.
United Arab Emirates · 11 min read
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Neighborhood guide
An entry-level Aldar freehold community on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border offering some of the UAE's lowest property prices and dual-emirate access.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates · 11 min read
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Neighborhood guide
Abu Dhabi's prestige financial island where ADGM towers, Cleveland Clinic and The Galleria's luxury retail meet branded waterfront residences.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates · 12 min read
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