FinHome · Helsinki — Dubai

Buying property in Dubai — with a personal advisor in Helsinki

Finding and assessing property for your own use, for holidays and for investment. I help you understand the market, compare options, estimate the potential return and make a well-informed purchase decision.

10years

of experience in real estate and working with investors

LKV · LVV

professional qualifications in Finland

1advisor

the same contact person throughout the process

EN · FI · RU

service in the language that suits you

Dubai in numbers

Dubai continues to grow rapidly, attracting investment and international business

Dubai's population has grown roughly two-and-a-half-fold in 15 years. The city is no longer just a holiday destination: people move here for work, family, business and quality of life. This growth also creates demand for housing.

In 2026, too, Dubai has continued to attract new residents. A growing population and international business activity support demand in the housing market.

4.8million

Residents in September 2026

+332,000

Dubai's population grew by 332,000, or 7.5%, in 2025. In 2026, growth has been around 25,000 residents a month.

No. 1

in the world for the number of new foreign investment projects, for the fifth year in a row: 1,253 projects in 2025

95.2million

Passengers at Dubai International Airport (DXB) in 2025. It is the world's busiest international airport.

Why Dubai

Dubai — a city to live, work and invest in

Some buy a home in Dubai to spend part of the year there, some are planning to move with their family, and others are looking for an investment in an international property market. Goals can also change over time: a home may first be for your own use and later rented out.

Life

Sun, sea and an international community
  • A sunny winter — temperatures are usually +20–30 °C in winter.
  • Good connections — around six hours' direct flight from Helsinki and a time difference of only 1–2 hours.
  • Comfortable for the whole family — international schools, clinics and everyday services.
  • Life by the sea — beaches, parks, promenades, restaurants and pleasant walking areas.

Work and business

Where East meets West
  • International connections — direct flights to many of the world's business centres.
  • A good environment for business — free zones where a foreigner can own a company.
  • Personal income tax — the UAE generally does not levy personal income tax on individuals.
  • Long-term residence — a range of residence permit options, including the Golden Visa.

Investment

Ownership and diversification
  • Full ownership — foreigners can own property in designated freehold areas.
  • A stable currency — the dirham is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate.
  • Rental demand — the market is supported by local residents, international professionals and visitors.
  • Golden Visa — a property investment of at least AED 2 million may qualify you for long-term residence.
Economy

A diversified economy

Oil once played a significant role in Dubai's economy. Today Dubai is an international hub for trade, finance, logistics and services between Europe, Asia and Africa. Housing demand comes above all from the people, companies and international workforce moving to the city.

Over 95% of GDP —
comes from sources other than oil

The largest sectors include trade, finance, real estate and logistics.

+5.4%

Dubai's real GDP growth in 2025.

19.6 million visitors

in 2025, a record for the third year in a row.
The largest source market was Western Europe: 4.1 million visitors, roughly one in five.

Target: 2033

To double the size of Dubai's economy and rank among the world's top three cities (Dubai Economic Agenda D33).

Market

A huge market — and that is exactly the challenge

Hundreds of projects, dozens of developers and thousands of homes. Every property comes with its own presentation, sales team and payment plan.

In photos, a good property and an average one can look much the same. The real difference lies in the developer's track record, the building's running costs, future housing supply in the area and who you could sell the property to in a few years' time. That is why choosing does not start with a property list, but with clear criteria and a systematic assessment.
AED 917billion

in property transactions in 2025 (approx. €222 billion)

270,000+

property transactions in 2025

68,000

new apartments and houses due for completion in Dubai in 2026

193,000

investors in 2025, 130,000 of them investing in the market for the first time

Dubai: residential and office towers and the water canal
For your purpose

A home, a holiday home or an investment — each has its own criteria

The right property depends on why you are buying it. Below are three typical situations and the key points worth considering in each.

01

Home

You are moving to Dubai for work or business and want to live in a home of your own. Key factors are schools, the commute, local amenities and the quality of the building.

Typical areas:Dubai Hills Estate · Arabian Ranches · Jumeirah
02

Holiday home

You spend part of the year in the sun and can rent the property out for the rest of the time. Key factors are location, property management and the rules for short-term rentals.

Typical areas:Dubai Marina · Palm Jumeirah · Emaar Beachfront
03

Investment property

The aim is rental income and diversifying your investments outside the eurozone. I assess the net yield after all costs, the property's liquidity and future housing supply in the area.

Typical areas:Business Bay · JVC · Dubai Creek Harbour
Areas

Nine areas — from a studio to a villa

The areas are grouped by indicative price level. This is not a ranking: buildings and apartments within one area can differ more than properties in different areas.

Up to AED 1.5m
up to approx. €360,000
Jumeirah Village Circle — residential area

Jumeirah Village Circle

An affordable start

A mid-market residential area with many new residential buildings. Suits a first rental property, but assessing the developer and the quality of the building is especially important here.

Best for: Letting
JLT — Jumeirah Lake Towers

JLT

Lakes and metro

Towers around lakes next to Dubai Marina, but usually more affordable. The metro, cafés and everyday services are within walking distance.

Best for: Living Letting
Business Bay

Business Bay

The business district

The canal and views of the city centre, offices and residential buildings next to Downtown. One of the most active areas of the Dubai property market.

Best for: Living Letting
AED 1.5–2.5m
approx. €360,000–600,000
Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina

Sea and promenade

An established area by the beach and the yacht harbour. People live here all year round, so rental demand does not depend on a single season.

Best for: Living Letting
Dubai Hills Estate

Dubai Hills Estate

For families

Parks, schools, a clinic and a golf course in the same community. Apartments, townhouses and villas — also an option for families with children who are relocating.

Best for: Living Letting
DAMAC Hills

DAMAC Hills

Townhouses by the golf course

A green residential area with townhouses and villas, offering options at lower prices than Dubai Hills, for example. Also suits your own home if you value a private garden and a quieter setting.

Best for: Living
Over AED 2.5m
over approx. €600,000
Downtown Dubai

Downtown Dubai

The heart of the city

Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the Opera within walking distance. An apartment with city views suits your own use and long-term ownership.

Best for: Living Letting
Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah

A beach on your doorstep

A man-made island with its own beaches and limited building space. Villas and apartments by the water.

Best for: Living Letting
Arabian Ranches

Arabian Ranches

Villas for families

A quiet villa community with gardens, schools and an equestrian club. For those moving to Dubai for the long term who want a house of their own rather than an apartment.

Best for: Living

Budgets are indicative and describe typical price levels in each area. Every area has both more affordable and more expensive properties. Exchange rate: €1 = AED 4.13.

Budget

What can your budget buy in Dubai?

What can you buy in each price range? Prices in dirhams, with approximate euro equivalents.

Up to
AED 0.8m
up to approx. €195,000

Studio or compact 1-bedroom apartment

approx. 35–60 m²
Areas
JVC, Arjan, Dubai South, Dubai Silicon Oasis
For
Investment, a first step into the market
AED 0.8–1.5m
approx. €195,000–360,000

A studio in a central area or a 2-bedroom apartment in a developing area

approx. 40–110 m²
Areas
JVC, Jumeirah Village Triangle, Al Furjan, JLT, Business Bay
For
Investment, a second home
AED 1.5–2.5m
approx. €360,000–600,000

A 1-bedroom apartment in a central area or a townhouse in a family area

approx. 70–150 m²
Areas
Dubai Hills Estate, Dubai Marina, Business Bay, DAMAC Hills

From AED 2 million — the potential Golden Visa threshold.

For
Living, a second home
Additional purchase costs

The largest single cost is the mandatory Dubai Land Department (DLD) registration fee: 4% of the purchase price.

For the property you choose, I prepare a separate calculation that takes into account all costs related to the purchase.

Off-plan property
≈4–5%

Ready property
≈6.5–7%

usually including the broker's commission of 2% + VAT

With a mortgage
≈+1%

or higher, in financing-related costs

These ranges are indicative. The final price depends on the area, the property, its size and condition, and whether you are buying a ready property or one under construction.

Tell me your budget —
I'll send you 3 options
How I assess a property

How I assess a property

Every option is assessed against the same five criteria. This makes it possible to compare properties from different developers and areas as objectively as possible.

Price

What I look at

Transaction prices for comparable properties, not just asking prices.

What you get

A clear view of the real price per square metre and a comparison with similar buildings nearby.

Yield

What I look at

The actual rent level in the building and the apartment, the costs and any vacant months.

What you get

An estimate of the net yield after mandatory costs — not just the yield figure from a sales brochure.

Building

What I look at

Age, technical condition, quality of management, service charges and how they have developed.

What you get

An estimate of the annual running costs and any potential additional costs.

Market

What I look at

Transaction prices, rents for comparable apartments, the number of competing properties and the resale outlook.

What you get

An assessment of how high the risk is in the area — for example, of an oversupply of similar apartments.

Liquidity

What I look at

Who could buy the property from you, and at what price, in five years' time, for example?

What you get

A realistic assessment of the resale potential and the likely time it would take to sell.

If you are buying for your own use, instead of yield I look in particular at schools, the commute, noise, views and the quality of the building. The other criteria stay the same.

What can the outcome be?

Good fit

the property meets your goals and criteria.

Needs further checks

key questions are still open. They are clarified before you decide.

Not recommended

the price, costs or risks do not match your goals. That is also a valuable outcome.

Service

A personal advisor throughout the purchase

From your goals to the handover of the keys — six steps.

01

We define your goals

Budget, purpose of the purchase, time horizon, target return and risk tolerance.

You receive:A short summary of your goals and selection criteria.

02

We analyse the market

Areas, buildings and properties from different developers and owners. We compare transaction prices, rents and competing supply.

You receive:A shortlist of 3–5 suitable properties.

03

We work out the numbers

The total cost of the purchase, annual costs, a realistic rent level and the net yield.

You receive:A table of costs and returns for each selected property.

04

We check the background of the chosen property

Documents, the building's history, service charges and the condition of the property. Where needed, a local lawyer and a technical inspector take part in the process.

You receive:The findings and an overall assessment of the property before you decide to buy.

05

We arrange the purchase

I coordinate the purchase together with a licensed Dubai broker and support you until the transaction is registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD).

You receive:The transaction documents and confirmation that your ownership has been registered.

06

We help after the purchase

Once ownership has been registered, the handover of the property, furnishing, finding a tenant and property management can be arranged through local partners.

You receive:The option to leave the letting and management of the property to local partners.

For investors

Property investment in Dubai — what can you realistically expect?

Rental income can bring cash flow to an investment, but capital growth cannot be guaranteed. My role is to help you choose a property whose location, price and characteristics support your investment goals over the long term.

01 · Rental yield
≈6.7%

the average gross rental yield on apartments in Dubai in August 2026.

02 · Capital growth

Change in value

We look at the price per square metre, new supply in the area and resale demand. In 2026 the market moved into a calmer phase: after several years of growth, some segments have seen a correction, while others have remained relatively stable.

The investment return on a property comes from two parts: rental income and the change in the property's market value.

The average gross rental yield on apartments in Dubai is around 6.7% a year. Gross yield, however, is not yet the owner's actual income. Building maintenance, property management, any vacant months and other ownership costs still have to be deducted from it.

This is why the yield figures quoted by developers do not always reflect the real financial result of an investment.

Capital growth can increase the return on an investment further, but it cannot be guaranteed. So I do not assess promises, but the fundamentals of the property: the purchase price, the location, competition from new projects and the resale outlook.

Every calculation is individual. I assess the potential rental income, the costs and the risks for your situation before you make a purchase decision.

Gross yield by property type
Apartmentsapprox. 6.7%
Townhousesapprox. 5.1%
Villasapprox. 4.5%

August 2026. The more expensive and spacious the home, the lower the percentage rental yield usually is.

What determines the final result?

  • The purchase price and transaction costs
  • The rent level and actual occupancy
  • Building maintenance and property management
  • Taxation of rental income in your country of residence
  • The property's liquidity and new supply in the area
Gross

Gross rental yield

Annual rent divided by the purchase price of the property, before costs.

Net

Net rental yield

Rental income after maintenance, property management, upkeep and vacant months.

After-tax return

After-tax return

The cash result left to the owner after operating costs and taxes. Taxation depends on the owner's country of tax residence.

Igor Rokka, FinHome advisor
Advisor

Igor Rokka

Managing Director · FinHome Group Oy

I am a licensed real estate agent in Finland (LKV) with ten years of experience in real estate. My work covers buying, selling, letting and managing residential and commercial property, property valuation and advising investors.

FinHome Dubai is for clients who are considering buying property in the United Arab Emirates and want to base their decision on objective information and a realistic financial calculation.

Working from Helsinki, I help you define your purchase criteria, compare offers, assess the investment value of properties and coordinate the purchase together with licensed professionals in Dubai.

My approach is based on comparing alternatives, understanding the total cost of ownership and assessing risk. I help you set the requirements for the property, select suitable options and arrange professional support for the transaction.

"My job is not to persuade you to buy an apartment, but to help you understand which property fits your goals — and which one you should walk away from."

Direct contact

You always deal with me, not with a sales department.

Transparency

I explain in advance and in writing who pays for my services and how my fee is made up.

Qualifications

I hold a professional qualification in Finland. In Dubai, brokerage is handled by a local RERA-licensed broker.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Yes. In designated areas, foreigners can buy property outright (freehold). Ownership is registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD).

You can move into a ready property or rent it out straight after the purchase, once the necessary formalities have been completed. An off-plan property is bought while it is still under construction. It may be cheaper than a ready property, but it carries risks related to the schedule and the quality of construction. The choice depends on your goals, your time horizon and how long you are prepared to wait.

A property investment of at least AED 2 million may qualify you for a UAE Golden Visa residence permit. The permit is also subject to other official requirements, and the exact conditions depend on factors such as the property and the buyer's circumstances.

The UAE generally does not levy personal income tax or personal capital gains tax on individuals. If you are generally liable to tax in Finland, however, rental income from abroad and any capital gain from selling the property must be declared in your Finnish taxation.

In Finland, capital income is taxed at 30% up to €30,000 and at 34% on the amount above that. Deductible expenses and applicable international tax rules may be taken into account. Your final taxation depends on your personal situation, and I recommend going through the details with a tax adviser.

FinHome is not a licensed broker in Dubai. Brokerage for the transaction is handled by a local RERA-licensed broker. I act as the buyer's advisor and tell the client in advance, in writing, who pays for my services and how my fee is made up.

Contact

Let's talk about buying property in Dubai

Tell me about your plans, goals and budget. We will discuss the Dubai market, suitable options and the purchase process. You will get a clear picture of your possibilities and the next steps before you make any decision.

Leave your contact details and I will get back to you within one working day.

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Retkeilijänkatu 15, 00980 Helsinki

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