Survey: UAE Tops Global Real Estate Appeal — 56% of Investors Say Yes

UAE real estate named most attractive by global investors

UAE real estate has been named the most attractive international investment market in a new global survey, and the numbers are hard to ignore. In Arada’s UAE Property Investment Index, 56% of experienced investors reported serious interest in the UAE's property market — a higher share than for the United States, the United Kingdom or any other market in the study.

This result matters because it arrives at a time of heavy public infrastructure spending and policy reinforcement. For buyers and investors weighing housing prices, rental yields and long-term capital growth, the survey offers a clear signal: demand for UAE property is wide and cross-regional. Our analysis teases out what the headline share actually means for those making decisions today.

What the Arada index measured and why it matters

The UAE Property Investment Index was commissioned by developer Arada and conducted by US-based Penta Group. Key methodological facts: the poll surveyed 689 established property investors across 12 markets between 1 April and 23 April. That size and scope make it one of the first major international studies into buyer sentiment about the UAE since recent regional upheavals.

Main findings that investors will care about:

• 56% of respondents said they have serious interest in the UAE property market.
• The United States came second at 54%, the UK at 41%, France 28% and Spain 27%.
• Familiarity with the UAE market stands at 51%, comparable with the UK (51%) and just behind the US (53%).

These figures are not vanity metrics. They reflect recognition across different investor cohorts that the UAE offers a combination of returns, legal clarity and access that many global buyers find appealing.

Why investors favour the UAE: the drivers of interest

The survey identifies clear priorities that push investors toward the UAE. We can distil them into three dominant drivers.

• Strong return potential. Globally this was the top driver at 38%. For certain groups it mattered even more: 57% of Australian investors and 56% of Spanish investors singled out return potential as their primary consideration.
• Safety and stability. This was the defining factor for 65% of Chinese investors and 58% of German investors. Investors view the UAE as having a mature regulatory environment and predictable policy framework.
• Ease of purchase and ownership. 34% of respondents cited this overall, rising to 57% among Saudi investors and 41% among Egyptian investors.

Put together, those drivers explain why the UAE is seen as an accessible international market with attractive economics. In my view, return expectations drive initial interest, but regulatory clarity and ease of ownership keep buyers engaged through the transaction and holding period.

Which regions are most enthusiastic about UAE property

Interest in the UAE is broad but especially pronounced in the region and among certain expatriate source markets. The survey breaks down as follows:

• India: 91% of Indian investors listed the UAE in their top three.
• Egypt: 92% of Egyptian investors included the UAE in their top three.
• Saudi Arabia: 85% of Saudi investors put the UAE in their top three.

Among European investors the UAE ranks as the top choice outside the home country for:

• France: 63%
• Germany: 60%
• Switzerland: 57%

This pattern reflects geography, cultural and business ties, and visa and travel accessibility. It also signals that demand is not narrowly concentrated: several large investor pools are active or primed to enter the market.

Government policy and infrastructure: the supply-side support

The research was published alongside announcements of major infrastructure investment in the UAE. The headline projects include:

• AED34 billion for the Dubai Metro Gold Line
• The world’s first commercial air taxi network (public/private funding models in development)
• AED6 billion for the Fourth Federal Corridor to improve inter-emirate connectivity

These investments are important because transport and mobility influence both short-term transaction volumes and long-term capital values, especially around transit nodes. When public spending improves accessibility, land and property values near new infrastructure tend to respond — sometimes quickly, sometimes over years.

Arada, which commissioned the research, also points to its own pipeline of more than AED130 billion in projects. That scale matters: large private-sector development pipelines shape supply dynamics and set benchmarks for pricing, amenities and management standards.

What this means in practice for buyers and investors

If you are an investor or a buyer considering UAE property, the survey and concurrent public spending suggest several tactical takeaways you should weigh before pulling the trigger.

• Focus on fundamentals. Areas with strong transport upgrades and planned infrastructure are likely to see higher capital appreciation. Look for projects near upcoming Metro lines and the Fourth Federal Corridor.
• Check net yields, not headline rents. Many buyers focus on nominal rents. You must subtract service charges, agent fees and taxes where applicable to calculate net yield.
• Understand ownership regimes. Freehold, leasehold and investment-linked residency schemes differ across emirates. Confirm title, payment plan terms and developer track record.
• Use currency strategy. Some buyers finance in foreign currency or hold FX exposure; match your income and liabilities where possible.
• Insist on due diligence. Demand audited financials for off-plan projects and read contract clauses on handover and delays.

Those are practical steps you can act on immediately.