Dubai and Gulf Property: Off-Plan and Golden Visas — 2026-10-22
Abu Dhabi is aggressively expanding its residential pipeline with 30 new projects worth $12.3 billion, while Dubai’s new launches slow due to regional tensions. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia sees steady price growth and a major $14 billion housing initiative, and the UAE’s Golden Visa continues to attract diverse professional talent beyond just high-net-worth buyers.
Dubai and Gulf Property: Off-Plan and Golden Visas — 2026-10-22
Top developments
Abu Dhabi’s $12.3 Billion Off-Plan Surge Abu Dhabi is forecast to launch 30 new residential projects worth up to AED 45 billion ($12.3 billion) before the end of 2026. This expansion comes as off-plan sales account for 82% of transactions in the emirate, contrasting sharply with Dubai’s declining launch pace.
Dubai Launches Dry Up Amid Regional Tensions Dubai’s property launches are waning, with new projects becoming scarce as developers pause due to the ongoing Iran war. In contrast, Abu Dhabi is launching a new housing project roughly every three days until the end of the year, capturing market share from its neighbor.
Saudi Arabia’s $14 Billion Housing Push Saudi developer Arada has launched a project in Riyadh valued at 14 billion dirhams ($14 billion) as part of a broader plan to build 100,000 homes in the Kingdom over three to five years. The firm is explicitly targeting non-Saudi buyers in zones where foreign ownership is permitted, signaling a shift in Saudi real estate accessibility.
Golden Visa Expands Beyond the Rich The UAE’s Golden Visa is no longer just for ultra-wealthy property investors; it now extends to nurses, teachers, and e-sports professionals. While property investment remains a key route with a threshold around $545,000, the policy blend of talent attraction and investment incentives is diversifying the expat demographic in the Gulf.
Local view
Local media highlights the divergence between Abu Dhabi’s aggressive supply and Dubai’s cautious pace. Al Bayan reports that Abu Dhabi is preparing for a new phase of expansion with the 30-project wave, noting that off-plan sales dominate the market.
In Dubai, AlKhaleej notes that daily transaction values remain robust, with AED 1.9 billion recorded in mid-week trades across 676 deals, indicating that existing stock is still moving despite fewer new launches.
Saudi media, including Asharq Business, focuses on the resilience of the Saudi market, reporting that property prices rose 1.2% year-on-year in Q3 2026, driven by residential and agricultural segments, despite a slight quarterly decline.
Context & numbers
- Abu Dhabi Transactions: The emirate recorded AED 175.7 billion in real estate transactions in the first nine months of 2026, driven by AED 95.8 billion in residential sales.
- Dubai Luxury Segment: Knight Frank reports 412 luxury deals above $10 million in Dubai in the first nine months of 2026, a 15.4% year-on-year increase, with Palm Jumeirah leading sales.
- Saudi Price Index: Saudi real estate prices increased by 1.2% annually in Q3 2026, marking the second consecutive quarter of annual growth.
On the radar
- Dubai Handover Pipeline: Developers have completed 33,000 units in the first nine months of 2026, against a total schedule of 108,000 units for the year, with 376,000 units currently under construction through 2030.
- Saudi Transaction Volumes: Saudi real estate transaction values fell 41% over nine months compared to the previous period, though analysts note a gradual improvement in trading activity since the start of the year.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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