Desert, skyscrapers, investments

Yachting | 2026 | Text: Barbara Schneeberger

Where camels used to stomp through the sand stands today a sizzling cosmopolitan city. Dubai has completed the way from a fishing village to a global stage – for visionaries, connoisseur travellers and investors who prefer to shape their future, not wait for it.

The ruling family Al Maktoum understood right from the start that the future did not lie only in oil, but in trade, air travel, tourism, logistics and wide-ranging services. Simultaneously, they are proud of their roots, which can be experienced in the narrow lanes of Al Fahidi, in the gold and spice souks, and in the Jumeirah Mosque. Yet Dubai sees itself as liberal: about 80 percent of the population are expatriates and beside Arabic, English is the everyday language.

Whoever wants to understand Dubai needs to look at the real estate market. The city offers tax advantages; the political environment is stable and provides a robust legal framework. The central location between Europe, Asia and Africa alongside economic growth and an increasing population assure enduring demand. The growth in real estate prices was approximately 15 percent in 2023, more than 20 percent in 2024. In official free-trade zones, foreigners can acquire ownership of property without barriers or limits. Investments in real estate above two million AED (appx. 545,000 euros) enable purchasers to qualify for the Golden Visa.