Dubai and Gulf Property: Off-Plan and Golden Visas — 2026-10-12
Dubai’s real estate market recorded AED 11.19 billion in weekly transactions in early October, driven by strong sales activity despite a notable slowdown in new off-plan launches. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is preparing for Cityscape 2026, with foreign ownership regulations and vacant property fees set to dominate the agenda, signaling a shift toward a more regulated and open investment landscape in the Kingdom.
Dubai and Gulf Property: Off-Plan and Golden Visas — 2026-10-12
Top developments
Dubai records AED 11.19 billion in weekly property transactions
On October 10, 2026, Dubai Land Department data revealed that weekly real estate transactions exceeded AED 11.19 billion across 3,901 deals. Sales alone accounted for AED 7.58 billion of this total, demonstrating sustained liquidity in the market despite broader global economic uncertainties. This high volume underscores the continued attractiveness of Dubai as a safe-haven asset class for international investors.
Off-plan launch drought impacts sales momentum
Recent analysis highlights a significant "off-plan launch drought" in Dubai, where fewer new project releases have coincided with tumbling off-plan sales figures. The market is witnessing a shift towards completed homes as buyer confidence wavers slightly on speculative projects, impacting the traditional pipeline of pre-construction purchases. This trend suggests a maturing market where investors are prioritizing tangible assets over future promises.
S&P Global affirms Dubai’s residential resilience
In a report published on October 7, 2026, S&P Global Ratings highlighted the resilience of Dubai’s residential real estate sector, attributing its stability to state reforms expected to continue through 2027. The agency noted that the market has shown remarkable flexibility, supported by regulatory frameworks that enhance investor protection and market transparency. This endorsement reinforces Dubai’s position as a stable hub for long-term capital preservation.
Saudi Arabia focuses on foreign ownership and vacant fees for Cityscape 2026
As the region prepares for Cityscape 2026 in Riyadh (November 16–19), key regulatory files including foreign ownership rules and fees on vacant properties are dominating the local discourse. These measures aim to increase housing supply and attract foreign direct investment into the Saudi real estate sector. The implementation of these policies marks a pivotal moment in aligning the Saudi market with international standards while addressing domestic affordability concerns.
Local view
Local Arabic media outlets are closely monitoring the transition from rapid growth to a more corrected, stable phase. Egyin reports that the Dubai residential market is heading towards a gradual price correction in 2027, rather than a sharp crash, indicating a soft landing scenario.
Meanwhile, Al-Bayan notes that despite the slowdown in some metrics, real estate companies continue to launch new projects, reflecting a persistent development pipeline. The consensus among local stakeholders is that the market is consolidating, with a focus on quality and delivery timelines becoming more critical than sheer volume of launches.
Context & numbers
- Weekly Transaction Value: AED 11.19 billion (Oct 2026 week).
- Q3 2026 Performance: 37,429 deals worth AED 92.9 billion, showing strong primary sales and cash re-sales.
- Luxury Segment: 335 luxury home sales exceeding $10 million occurred between January and August 2026, with Palm Jumeirah leading the volume.
- Price Correction: ValuStrat data indicates a 4% quarter-on-quarter decline in the residential price index in Q2 2026, reaching 220 points.
On the radar
- Cityscape Saudi Arabia 2026: Scheduled for November 16–19 in Riyadh. Investors should watch for announcements regarding specific zones eligible for foreign ownership under the new laws.
- Golden Visa Updates: Time Out Dubai released a comprehensive guide on October 9, 2026, detailing updated eligibility criteria for the 10-year Golden Visa, including property investment thresholds and professional categories.
- Off-Plan Pricing Strategy: Market watchers are observing whether developers will maintain current pricing or introduce discounts to stimulate sales amid the launch drought.
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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