For many residents, owning a home in the UAE is no longer a distant prospect, with first-time buyer incentives and flexible payment plans often making it a practical financial decision.
Mid-income professionals earning between Dh15,000 and Dh20,000 a month can afford to buy property in the Emirates, according to an analysis. Although this is welcome news, the choice of properties available for this income bracket will be "highly selective", they say.
Achieving this goal will depend on buyers having sufficient down payments and manageable financing commitments.
Buyers in this salary bracket may want to consider entry-level ownership options, such as smaller homes or locations outside premium areas. Choice of location remains key to keeping ownership affordable. Buyers in this income range can explore neighbourhoods that offer good value, such as Dubai South, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Village Circle and Dubai Silicon Oasis, experts say.
Industry specialists highlight that higher salaries in the range of Dh35,000 to Dh50,000 provide broader flexibility across locations and property types.
Are you thinking of buying property in the UAE? Are your finances in order? Email us at pf@thenationalnews.com.
Have a great day.
UAE home ownership now affordable for residents earning Dh15,000 a month
People earning under Dh15,000 a month should look at locations such as Dubai Silicon Oasis. Satish Kumar / The National
Home ownership is within the reach of professionals in the UAE who earn between Dh15,000 ($4,084) and Dh20,000 a month, although the choices will be “highly selective” and concentrated in value-led communities, according to experts.
Monthly incomes in the range of Dh35,000 to Dh50,000 usually provide the greatest flexibility in terms of locations, they say.
The minimum salary required by UAE banks to approve a mortgage for first-time buyers varies by lender.
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre Power: 150hp Torque: 250Nm Price: From Dh139,000 On sale: Now
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
