Property prices in Dubai rose in most areas of the city during February, according to CBRE.
Transaction volume in the year to date to February reached 11,071 — the highest total recorded in the first two months of the year.
Average prices were up 10.7 per cent in the year to February, with average apartment prices rising 9.1 per cent and villa prices increasing 21 per cent.
Click through the slideshow above to see where apartment prices have risen and fallen.
Where were the highest price increases in Dubai?
The Green Community (DIP) recorded the biggest month-on-month rise in the apartment sector in February, with a 3 per cent gain, followed by Jebel Ali at 2.8 per cent and Jumeirah, Dubai Festival City and Meydan City at 2.7 per cent.
In the villa segment, Jumeirah Village Circle properties rose on average 3 per cent in February, while Palm Jumeirah villas — which are the most expensive in Dubai per square foot — were up 2.9 per cent.
Downtown Dubai is the most expensive area per square foot for apartments, CBRE's Residential Market Snapshot for March 2022 showed.
See the villa price rises and falls in the slideshow below.
What's driving the rise in prices?
The UAE property market has been rebounding on the back of government initiatives, such as residency permits for retirees and remote workers, as well as the expansion of the 10-year golden visa programme, and the economic boost from Expo 2020 Dubai.
The market has also been benefited by the country's widespread coronavirus vaccination programme, which has kept cases relatively low compared to other countries around the world.
Meanwhile, demand for extra space and additional amenities amid spells of working from home during the past 12 months have also boosted activity within the real estate sector.
“In 2022 we have seen payment plans tighten and post-promotion mortgage rates increase. Despite this, residential transaction activity in Dubai is at historic highs,” said Taimur Khan, head of research Mena at CBRE in Dubai.
Business conditions in Dubai's non-oil private sector economy improved sharply in February, with the emirate's seasonally adjusted IHS Markit Purchasing Managers' Index climbing to 54.1 from 52.6 in January.
A reading above the neutral 50 level indicates economic expansion, while one below points to contraction.
“New business growth in Dubai is a “promising sign that the Omicron [Covid-19] variant has had only a minor impact on the economy compared to previous waves of the pandemic,” David Owen, an economist at IHS Markit, said.
Dubai property prices have been rising for some time now …
The value of property deals in Dubai more than doubled last year and broke a 12-year record for value of sales.
The emirate registered 61,241 sales deals worth Dh151.07 billion ($41.1bn) in 2021, making it the best year for total transactions since 2013 and the highest in terms of value since 2009, according to listings portal Property Finder.
Meanwhile, luxury home sales hit their highest last year since 2015, property consultant Knight Frank said in a report.
A total of 93 homes each worth more than $10 million were sold as wealthy buyers tapped into the post-coronavirus recovery.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
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There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
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Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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