While casually browsing on social media, you see an ad for Bloom property apartments for sale in Abu Dhabi. The apartments look enticing, with their spacious, well-appointed configurations and gorgeous views. Incidentally, you’re looking to buy property overseas as a second home or as an investment, and you’re wondering if the UAE could be your second home destination.
Wonder no more because this article answers your question. The following are compelling reasons to consider buying property in the UAE.
1. Accessibility
The United Arab Emirates has excellent transport infrastructure, making it easily accessible to both international and domestic travelers. It has eight international airports and six national carriers.
The international airports in the UAE are:
- Zayed International Airport (AUH)
- Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Al Maktoum International Airport
- Ras Al Khaimah International Airport
- Sharjah International Airport
- Fujairah International Airport
- Al Ain International Airport
- Sir Bani Yas Airport
Dubai International Airport is one of the world’s most prominent airports. In 2024, it was the world’s second-busiest airport by total passenger traffic and the world’s number one by total international passenger traffic.
The national carriers in the UAE are:
- Emirates Airlines
- Etihad Airways
- Fly Dubai
- Air Arabia
- Al Arabia Abu Dhabi
- Wizz Air Abu Dhabi
UAE’s national carriers connect the country to 603 global destinations. In fact, the UAE is four hours by air from a third of the world’s population and eight hours from two-thirds.
2. Foreign Ownership
Non-UAE citizens can own property in the UAE. The terms of ownership can vary from one emirate to another. The emirates that allow 100% foreign ownership usually designate freehold areas or zones for the purpose.
If you buy freehold property in Dubai or a freehold villa for sale in Abu Dhabi, you gain full ownership rights over it. You can live in it (as long as you have a residence visa), rent it out, sell it, and improve it within the bounds of the emirate’s and the UAE’s laws. Your heirs can also inherit it.
Even if you don’t buy freehold property, you should have plenty of other ownership options. In Abu Dhabi, for instance, you can buy property on:
- Leasehold Ownership: This refers to property ownership of residential units or apartments. It comes with an ownership deed, effective for 99 years. You own the apartment for that period, and you can sell it and rent it out as you want. However, you don’t own the land on which it stands. Once the 99-year term ends, ownership reverts to the owners’ association, which grants another 99-year lease to the owner. The owners’ association is the freehold owner of the land, and the owners of the leasehold units are its members.
- Musataha: Under Musataha, foreign expatriates can own and use a piece of property for 50 years. They can construct on it or alter it, as necessary, subject to the terms of their agreement with the land or property owner.
- Usufruct: Usufruct gives you the right to enjoy and use a property for 99 years. However, you cannot implement any structural changes to the property.
- Long-term lease: A long-term lease lets you enjoy and use a property for at least 25 years. The length of the lease and your rights as a lessee are defined in the lease agreement.
3. Long-Term Residency for Real Estate Investors
The UAE has a long-term, renewable residence visa known as the Golden Visa. If you own or have invested in real estate in the UAE, you can apply for this visa.
The Golden Visa makes buying property in Abu Dhabi for expats particularly rewarding, as it allows qualified property owners to live in Abu Dhabi for 10 years. The 10-year residence visa is also renewable for the same period. Dubai also offers a 10-year Golden Visa for real estate investors.
To be approved for a Golden Visa for real estate investors in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, you must submit documents proving you have a real estate investment of at least AED 2,000,000. This can be the price you pay for one property, the cumulative worth of multiple properties, or your equity share in one property.
Golden Visa Benefits
Aside from giving you the convenience of not needing to renew your residence permit every one or two years, the Golden Visa also provides the following privileges:
- Multiple-entry, six-month visa: You can enter the UAE multiple times in a period of six months to prepare for, fulfill requirements, and perform the procedures necessary for Golden Visa issuance.
- Self-sponsorship: You do not need a resident sponsor, whether an employer or an Emirati.
- Sponsoring family: You can sponsor your spouse(s) and children (regardless of their ages). They, too, can get a long-term residence visa.
- Sponsoring domestic helpers: You can sponsor visas for an unlimited number of domestic helpers.
- Lengthy overseas stays: Staying overseas (outside the UAE) for more than six continuous months will not invalidate your residence visa.
Invest in UAE Real Estate
The UAE is a viable option for high-net-worth individuals seeking a real estate investment destination. It is highly accessible to travelers, allows 100% foreign ownership of property, and grants 10-year long-term residence visas to qualified real estate investors.
