While it’s horrendous what’s going on in the world right now, and I still can’t understand how we’re still producing weapons and going to war in 2025, it makes zero sense to me — I want to take a moment to speak not emotionally, but logically, about how this situation may impact Dubai’s real estate market.
Let me be clear: I’m not downplaying the seriousness of the conflict. War is tragic. But when it comes to investing, you have to separate fear from facts.
Real estate always comes with risk. That’s why smart investors analyse P.E.S.T. factors: Political, Economic, Social, and Technological. But in this case, I don’t believe Dubai will be affected in any significant way — if anything, it will benefit.
Dubai: The Global Safe Haven
Dubai has arguably one of the strongest and most forward-thinking leaderships in the world. They’ve built a city with unmatched safety, opportunity, and infrastructure. A place that welcomes nearly every nationality, culture, and belief — as long as you’re here to work hard and respect the system.
The UAE ranks #2 globally for safety according to Numbeo’s 2024 Safety Index — ahead of cities like Zurich, Tokyo, and Singapore.
The country also boasts diplomatic relations with nearly every major nation. The Abraham Accords with Israel created a new era of regional stability and cooperation, opening doors in diplomacy, trade, and long-term investor confidence.
History Repeats Itself
Every time there’s tension in the region, Dubai sees an influx of capital:
- During the Iraq war, regional capital flowed into Dubai, fueling early market booms.
- During the Russia-Ukraine war, Dubai saw a 43% year-on-year increase in property transactions in 2022, according to DLD data.
- The number of Russian investors in Dubai jumped over 200% that year, helping drive record-breaking price growth in prime areas.
And let’s not forget COVID-19: while most global cities were locked down, Dubai reopened fast, hosted the world’s first post-COVID Expo, and launched Golden Visa reforms — all of which attracted thousands of high-net-worth individuals and digital entrepreneurs.
The Opportunity in the Panic
Let’s be honest — some investors will panic. They’ll rush to exit positions, sell under market, and liquidate quickly. For anyone serious about Dubai real estate, this is your window.
- Off-plan inventory is being resold fast — and sometimes discounted — for quick exits.
- Prime areas like Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Hills are still appreciating, but savvy buyers are cherry-picking motivated sellers.
- The average ROI in Dubai still sits at 6–9%, much higher than cities like London (3%) or Paris (2%).
Buy when others are scared. Negotiate harder. Lock in assets that will look like steals six months from now.
And yes — thank God the current situation seems to be diffusing. Hopefully it stays that way. But even if tension lingers, I don’t see Dubai being directly impacted. If anything, I see more global citizens wanting to bring their families and wealth to a safe, stable, and thriving place like this.
Why I’m Still All In
I’ve personally seen more people build life-changing wealth in Dubai during uncertain times than during “safe” periods. This city has made millionaires — not in the easiest moments, but in the toughest ones.
Dubai today is not the same as 2008. It’s far more regulated, far more transparent, and far more mature. With:
- RERA governance
- Strict escrow laws
- Digital title deeds
- No income or capital gains tax
- Visa reforms for property investors
— this market is no longer speculative, it’s structured for long-term success.
In 2024 alone, Dubai crossed AED 600 billion in property transactions, breaking its own record for the third year in a row. The direction is clear — it’s up.
I’m not just talking — I’m investing. I’m building. I’m helping others do the same. Because while the headlines create fear, the fundamentals still scream opportunity.
This is Dubai. This is the time