Who is buying Dubai property
British nationals were the top buyers of Dubai property in data collected by betterhomes for the period March to April 2026, as Gulf News reported on 24 June 2026. India ranked second, followed by Australia and Egypt in third and fourth positions respectively. Betterhomes did not disclose transaction volumes, and the rankings reflect its own data only.
The presence of buyers from four distinct markets — two European-adjacent, one South Asian and one North African — illustrates the breadth of international interest in Dubai residential property at a time when financing costs remain relatively contained.
Most active locations and property types
Apartments accounted for the majority of transactions tracked by betterhomes during the period. Dubai Marina led apartment activity by a clear margin, with Jumeirah Village Circle, Jumeirah Lake Towers and Downtown Dubai also among the most active locations.
Within the apartment segment, demand was concentrated in one- and two-bedroom units — the configurations most commonly targeted by both end-users relocating to Dubai and investors seeking rental yield. On the villa side, activity skewed heavily towards five-bedroom homes, pointing to a buyer profile prioritising larger family accommodation at the top of the market.
Townhouse activity registered buyer interest across DAMAC Lagoons, Tilal Al Ghaf and Mohammed Bin Rashid City — three master-planned communities that have attracted consistent attention from international purchasers.
Mortgage rates and borrowing rules
Major UAE banks are currently offering fixed residential mortgage rates of 3.75 per cent for one year, 3.78 per cent for two years and 3.95 per cent for three years, according to betterhomes' mortgage company Lomond. Fixed-rate products are leading buyer preference.
Loan-to-value limits vary by buyer profile. First-time buyers can borrow up to 80 per cent on ready property. Investors and second-home buyers are typically capped at 60 per cent LTV. Off-plan purchases generally require a 50 per cent deposit.
Adriaan Rossouw, Head of Mortgages at Lomond, flagged several conditions affecting eligibility. Some banks are reducing the maximum LTV for buyers working in aviation, hospitality, real estate and oil and gas sectors. Self-employed buyers face a higher documentation bar, including proof of business longevity, turnover, profitability and VAT returns. Rossouw noted that one common reason for rejection is when self-employed applicants present themselves as salaried — a mismatch that triggers closer lender scrutiny.
Betterhomes said mortgage enquiry volumes have risen since the start of 2026, a trend consistent with the fixed-rate preference buyers are currently displaying.
Supply outlook and development pipeline
The near-term supply picture is substantial. JLL expects around 59,000 residential units across Abu Dhabi and Dubai for the remainder of 2026, rising to nearly 92,000 units in 2027. These figures cover both emirates and serve as a benchmark for buyers assessing how much new stock will enter the market over the next eighteen months.
On the development side, Walid Al Zarooni, CEO of W Capital Real Estate, said his firm expects the total value of new real estate projects launched or developed in Dubai to exceed Dh1 trillion within the next five years. Emaar's development in the heart of Dubai is separately valued at AED200 billion, underlining the scale of institutional capital committed to the city's residential and mixed-use pipeline.
What this means for international buyers
For international buyers evaluating Dubai, several threads in this data deserve attention.
The dominance of UK nationals at the top of betterhomes' buyer rankings signals that Dubai continues to draw strongly from markets where buyers are comfortable with overseas property ownership and have an established professional or lifestyle connection to the emirate. Buyers from India, Australia and Egypt rounding out the top four suggest the market's appeal is genuinely multi-regional rather than concentrated in a single source country.
The concentration of demand in one- and two-bedroom apartments — particularly in Dubai Marina — points to where liquidity is deepest for investors concerned about exit options. Villa buyers skewing toward five-bedroom units suggests a more end-user-driven motivation in that segment, with buyers prioritising space over entry price.
On financing, the gap between LTV allowances for first-time buyers at 80 per cent and investors capped at 60 per cent is material for anyone structuring a leveraged investment. The 50 per cent deposit requirement for off-plan is a significant cash commitment, and buyers in certain employment sectors should verify their specific LTV position with lenders before proceeding, given the sector-specific reductions some banks are applying.
The scale of incoming supply projected by JLL across Abu Dhabi and Dubai is a factor any buyer should weigh against anticipated rental yields and capital value assumptions. A pipeline of this size creates both opportunity — in terms of product choice — and a reason to scrutinise location quality and developer track record carefully. Buyers can review registration and project data through the Dubai Land Department.
Source: Gulf News, 24 June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which nationality bought the most Dubai property in March–April 2026?
According to betterhomes data covering March to April 2026, British nationals were the top buyers of Dubai property, followed by buyers from India, Australia and Egypt. Betterhomes did not disclose transaction volumes; the ranking reflects its own data only.
What are current fixed mortgage rates for residential property in the UAE?
Major UAE banks are currently offering fixed residential mortgage rates of 3.75 per cent for one year, 3.78 per cent for two years and 3.95 per cent for three years, according to Lomond, betterhomes' mortgage company.
How much can I borrow to buy property in Dubai as a foreign investor?
Investors and second-home buyers are typically capped at 60 per cent LTV on ready property. First-time buyers can borrow up to 80 per cent on ready property. Off-plan purchases generally require a 50 per cent deposit. Some banks are also reducing maximum LTV for buyers working in aviation, hospitality, real estate and oil and gas sectors.
Which areas in Dubai had the most apartment transaction activity in early 2026?
Dubai Marina led apartment activity by a clear margin in betterhomes data for March to April 2026. Jumeirah Village Circle, Jumeirah Lake Towers and Downtown Dubai were also among the most active locations.
How many new residential units are expected in Dubai and Abu Dhabi through 2027?
JLL expects around 59,000 residential units across Abu Dhabi and Dubai for the remainder of 2026, and nearly 92,000 units in 2027.