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According to a recent international study, the United Arab Emirates has firmly secured first place among the most sought-after destinations for real estate investment. This confirms the sustained interest of global investors in the country’s market, even against the backdrop of geopolitical challenges in the region.
The survey, commissioned by the developer Arada and conducted by the American research firm Penta Group, covered 689 experienced property investors from 12 key markets. The survey took place between 1 and 23 April 2026 and was one of the first large-scale analyses of foreign buyers’ sentiment following recent events. The results showed that 56% of respondents expressed serious interest in purchasing properties in the UAE — a higher figure than in the US (54%), the UK (41%), France (28%) and Spain (27%).
Awareness of opportunities in the UAE property market reached 51%, which is comparable to the UK (51%) and slightly lower than the US (53%). Interest is particularly high among investors from neighbouring countries: 91% of Indian, 92% of Egyptian and 85% of Saudi respondents named the UAE among their top three priority destinations. Among Europeans, the French (63%), Germans (60%) and Swiss (57%) took the lead, for whom the Emirates have become the primary overseas option.
The prospect of high returns was cited as the main motivation for investment by 38% of respondents. This factor is particularly important for Australians, Spaniards and Britons. For investors from China (65%) and Germany (58%), security and stability were the decisive factors. Around 34% of respondents highlighted the ease of purchasing and owning property, and this figure is significantly higher among Saudi and Egyptian investors.
Experts note that the UAE’s success is linked to a mature regulatory framework, transparent legislation, tax advantages and strong economic fundamentals. Commenting on the findings, Arada CEO Ahmed Al-Khoshaibi emphasised that the results correspond to the company’s actual sales and confirm the country’s ability to adapt quickly to change. Arada is implementing projects worth over 130 billion dirhams worldwide.
The publication of the index coincided with the announcement of major infrastructure initiatives, including the 34 billion dirham Dubai ‘Golden Line’ metro project, the launch of the world’s first commercial air taxi network, and the construction of a 6 billion dirham federal transport corridor. These projects are expected to further enhance the market’s appeal.
Thus, the research data highlights that the UAE is not only maintaining but also strengthening its position as a global leader in the property sector, offering investors a combination of returns, stability and convenience. This opens up new prospects for international capital in the long term.
