There is no doubt that the UAE is home to some spectacular properties. From penthouse apartments to plush villas with sprawling gardens and incredible pools, it’s a real estate haven.
Each week, The National showcases some of the finest homes on offer in its Property of the Week. Here, we take a closer look at a home at Saadiyat Beach Villas.
The key details
This four-bedroom, five-bathroom home is spread across 4,833 square feet and is set on one of the largest plots in the community at the end of a road with no traffic interference.
The master bedroom has a balcony and walk-in dressing room, while the property also comes with driver and maid facilities.
It is on the market for Dh9.99 million with Henry Wiltshire.
What's the story?
This is very much a property for a family that likes to spend time outside. And there is an extra appeal for golf fans.
Abu Dhabi can be considered a golfer's paradise, with a fantastic course just around the corner on Saadiyat Island, and only a short drive away is Yas Links where Thomas Pieters recently won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship title.
While there isn't quite enough room to practice launching a three-wood into the distance, there is enough space for chipping on the back lawn, and along the side of the property, there is a putting green to hone that accuracy around the cup.
There's a big pool and gazebo with a cooking station, making it ideal for group entertainment.
All in all, this is a classic family home, with room for youngsters to grow, and for adults to express their creative side and enjoy the company of guests.
Plus, Saadiyat Island is one of Abu Dhabi's most premier locations, with the Louvre museum close by and Cranleigh School located in the community.
The broker says...
What makes this villa stand out from others on Saadiyat Island?
This is one of the largest plot sizes for a four-bedroom villa and it has been beautifully landscaped. The property is screened by a variety of mature trees and has a thatched gazebo, children’s playhouse, lovely pool and outside shower.
In addition, there is a vegetable garden and high-quality golf putting green. Internally, it has had one of the terraces enclosed to form an extra living room, currently a playroom for the children. The rest of the interior is to the original, high standard design.
There is a shortage of villas such as these and nothing else available with such a large plot and pool in this price range.
Is there scope to freshen the property up?
The villas were handed over about seven years ago but constructed to a very high standard, with high-quality materials such as natural stone floors, solid timber internal doors, Bosch appliances and marble and mosaic bathrooms. Some owners have chosen to lighten the colour scheme by painting internal and kitchen doors in white or cream.
Where else would buyers consider when spending Dh10m on an Abu Dhabi villa?
We could potentially offer them a villa in the neighbouring Saadiyat communities of Hidd Al Saadiyat or Jawaher but with a much smaller plot and probably without the pool or privacy. Alternatively, a six-bedroom villa in Yas Acres or, in Al Zeina, a five-bedroom Beach Villa or six-bedroom Podium Villa.
How is the Saadiyat property market performing?
The market is very good right now. Fairly priced properties are selling well and we have a number of buyers currently looking. Availability is very tight though, as we have already sold most of what was on the market last year. Many of the villas that are available are tenanted, making viewing tricky and sale, a little slower. There is generally a strong demand for villas, especially in the luxury Saadiyat estates.
- Andrew Covill, director, Henry Wiltshire International
Biography
Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related
Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.
Family: Wife and three children.
Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Key features of new policy
Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6
Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge
A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools
Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
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.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
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.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
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
