Dubai and Gulf Property: Off-Plan and Golden Visas — 2026-10-25
Dubai’s real estate market is showing signs of cooling with a significant drop in off-plan sales and a surge in completed home listings, while Abu Dhabi emerges as a hotbed for new launches worth up to $12.3 billion. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s luxury sector attracts major international developers like Arad, and the UAE continues to broaden its Golden Visa criteria beyond traditional high-net-worth investors.
Dubai and Gulf Property: Off-Plan and Golden Visas — 2026-10-25
Top developments
Dubai’s off-plan sales tumble as completed homes take center stage
Recent data indicates a sharp decline in Dubai’s off-plan property sales, driven by fewer new launches and a shift in buyer confidence toward completed homes. This "launch drought" is reshaping the market, with developers pivoting strategies to manage inventory of finished units rather than relying solely on pre-sales.
Abu Dhabi launches surge to fill Dubai’s gap
As Dubai’s new project pipeline slows due to regional geopolitical tensions, Abu Dhabi is accelerating its development pace. The emirate is forecast to launch approximately 30 new residential projects worth up to AED 45 billion ($12.3 billion) by the end of 2026. Off-plan sales currently account for 82% of Abu Dhabi’s total transactions, highlighting its growing appeal to investors seeking new inventory.
Golden Visa expands beyond the ultra-wealthy
The UAE’s Golden Visa program continues to evolve, offering 10-year residency not just to property investors spending $545,000, but also to skilled professionals including nurses, teachers, and e-sports athletes. This policy shift aims to broaden the talent pool and diversify the resident base, moving beyond a purely investment-driven residency model.
Saudi Arabia attracts major international developer Arad
Saudi Arabia’s real estate market is seeing significant foreign interest, with UAE-based developer Arad launching a $14 billion project in Riyadh. The company plans to develop 100,000 homes across the Kingdom over the next three to five years, signaling confidence in Saudi housing demand and the opening of ownership rules for foreign buyers.
Local view
Weekly transaction volume holds steady despite cooling prices
Local Arabic media outlets such as Emarat Al Youm and Al Khaleej report that Dubai’s real estate transactions reached AED 10.92 billion (approx. $2.97 billion) in the most recent week, comprising 3,717 deals. While the total value remains robust, the composition is shifting, with a notable increase in resale listings for completed properties.
Luxury segment remains resilient
Despite broader market adjustments, Dubai’s luxury property sector is performing strongly. Knight Frank analysis cited by local press reveals 412 transactions above $10 million in the first nine months of 2026, with Palm Jumeirah leading the segment with 31% of these high-value sales.
Context & numbers
Price indices show stabilization
Dubai’s residential price index has stabilized after a period of correction. ValuStrat data indicates the index closed Q2 2026 at 220 points, with monthly corrections slowing to just 1% by June. This suggests the market is finding a new equilibrium after earlier volatility.
Saudi prices rise annually but dip quarterly
In Saudi Arabia, real estate prices rose by 1.2% year-on-year in Q3 2026, driven by residential and agricultural segments. However, data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) shows a quarterly decline, indicating a potential short-term cooling phase despite the annual upward trend.
Supply pipeline remains massive
Dubai developers have completed 33,000 units in the first nine months of 2026, against a scheduled delivery target of 108,000 units for the year. With 376,000 apartments and villas under construction through 2030, the market faces a significant supply-side challenge that may continue to pressure off-plan sales in favor of completed inventory.
On the radar
- First Gold Walkway in Dubai: The Dubai Gold District is preparing to open the world’s first gold walkway before the end of 2026, aiming to boost tourism and retail footfall in the area.
- Rental Listings Surge: Dubai’s rental listings have increased by 55.1% in Q3 2026, leading to asking rents falling by up to 22% in popular areas like Downtown Dubai, signaling a shift in tenant bargaining power.
- Saudi Housing Subsidies: The Saudi Real Estate Development Fund deposited 1.09 billion riyals into accounts for beneficiaries of the "Sakani" program in October, maintaining support for local homebuyers.
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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