Dubai Property Market in Ramadan 2026
Dubai’s property market no longer slows during Ramadan. Transactions rose from AED 20.3 billion in 2023 to around AED 37.5 billion in 2025. Off-plan dominates sales, driven by incentives and flexible payment plans. With strong 2025 performance and supply gaps in 2026, Ramadan remains an active investment window.
Does the Dubai Property Market Slow Down During Ramadan 2026?
The short answer is NO.
Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims, a time of fasting, prayer and spiritual purification. In Dubai, this month has special significance. The government announced fewer working hours, and offices would close earlier. This may impact the business activity, but the recent trend shows a different activity: a huge demand in the property market.
In previous years, Ramadan-overlapping months have delivered some of the highest recorded transaction volumes in Dubai’s history. The Holy Month does not reduce demand. It refines it.
- 2023: AED 20.3 billion
- 2024: AED 33.4 billion
- 2025: AED 37.5 billion
Transaction volumes also climbed from 8,741 in 2023 to 14,386 in 2025.
How Do Property Transactions Perform During Ramadan 2026?
Both value and volume have grown consistently.
Ramadan Transaction Trend
| Year | Transactions (Ramadan Period) | Total Sales Value | Year-on-Year Growth (Volume) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5,300 | AED 17.3 billion | Baseline |
| 2023 | 9,763 | AED 31.89 billion | +84% |
| 2024 | 12,313 | AED 32.6 billion | +39% |
| 2025 | 14,386 | AED 37.5 billion | +17% |
| 2026 (Forecast) | 15,000 | AED 40 billion | 4 to 5% |
These numbers place Ramadan among the best times to buy property in Dubai.
Several factors drive this:
- Developers launch new phases during Ramadan
- Buyers aim to complete deals before Eid
- Incentives improve affordability
- Weather conditions in recent cycles supported viewings
Ramadan now competes with traditional peak months in performance.
Why Is the Dubai Property Market Active During Ramadan 2026?
Tactic promotions and strong fundamentals underpin activities during Ramadan. Dubai added about 470 new residents every day in 2025. The emirate also recorded real estate sales of over 682 billion in 2025. DLD-based reporting said around 270,000 transactions took place, totalling AED 917 billion. Average price growth was near 7%.
Demand is broad-based. Investors, end-users, and foreign buyers remain active. Here is why the Dubai property market remains active during Ramadan.
Developer Incentives
Ramadan is a key promotional window. Developers compete through value additions rather than cutting base prices. Most of the Ramadan property deals include incentives like
- 4% DLD registration fee waivers
- Service charge holidays
- Post-handover payment plans such as 25:75| 30:70| 50:50
- Flexible installment schedules
- 0.5% monthly payment plan
- Full Furnishing options.
For example, on an AED 1 million property, a full DLD waiver saves about AED 40,000. That improves effective returns without lowering headline prices.
Off-plan launches are often timed around Ramadan. Flexible payment structures reduce upfront cash requirements and attract first-time buyers and investors.
Serious Buyer Filtering
Ramadan filters out casual buyers.
With fewer window shoppers:
- Negotiations are more focused
- Viewings are less crowded
- Sellers are open to practical discussions
Many buyers entering during Ramadan already have pre-approval or available cash. This creates a more efficient market. Deals often close faster due to shared deadlines before Eid.
Strong Foreign Investment
International demand remains steady throughout Ramadan.
Buyers from India, the UK, Russia, Europe, MENA, and the Americas continue to invest. Dubai is seen as a safe and business-friendly hub. Prices remain competitive compared to cities like London and New York. As per the latest report, foreign investors represent over 40% of ownership in Dubai real estate
| Rank | Nationality | Market Share | Primary Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 22% | High ROI, proximity |
| 2 | UK | 17% | Retirement, tax-free living |
| 3 | China | 14% | Wealth diversification |
| 4 | Saudi Arabia | 11% | Regional lifestyle |
| 5 | Russia | 9% | Wealth protection |
High-net-worth buyers are active in prime waterfront and luxury communities. At the same time, tokenisation and fractional ownership initiatives supported by the Dubai Land Department make market entry easier for smaller global investors.
Ramadan does not slow foreign capital. It often accelerates decisions.
Do Property Prices Increase During Ramadan?
Ramadan rarely causes sharp price jumps or drops. Instead, prices follow the broader annual trend. Between 2022 and Q1 2025, residential prices rose about 60%. In 2025 alone, average price growth was around 7%.
Ramadan improves value through:
- Incentives
- Better negotiation
- Flexible payment plans
Headline prices usually stay aligned with market levels. The net cost may improve, but core values remain stable.
For 2026, analysts expect prices to stay firm or grow moderately. Supply is projected between 80,000 and 120,000 units, yet only about 48 % may realistically deliver on time. Limited actual handovers help support pricing.
Which Property Types Perform Best During Ramadan?
Both villas and apartments perform well. However, apartments dominate transaction volumes due to off-plan launches.
In Ramadan 2025:
- Off-plan sales reached about AED 25.4 billion
- Ready property sales stood near AED 12.1 billion
Most off-plan launches are apartment-led.
Villas & Townhouses
Villas and townhouses attract family buyers and long-term investors.
Prime neighbourhood prices have more than doubled since 2019. Over 100 homes above USD 10 million changed hands in one quarter of 2025.
Affordable villa clusters such as DAMAC Hills 2 and The Valley recorded yields above 5.4 %.
Ramadan buyers in this segment are typically serious. They focus on:
- Community quality
- Space
- Long-term value
Seasonal incentives can improve net entry cost.
Apartments
Apartments dominate Ramadan volumes.
Popular areas include:
Studios and one-bedroom units often deliver gross yields between 7 to 10 %.
Lower ticket sizes attract investors. Flexible payment plans reduce capital strain. For yield-focused buyers, Ramadan can be an ideal entry period.
Off-Plan vs Ready Properties During Ramadan 2026
Developers know that Ramadan brings a highly qualified, serious buyer pool. To capture that capital, they release their most competitive inventory.
The appeal of off-plan during this month comes down to leverage and incentives. You can secure an asset at today’s price, often 10% to 30% below the cost of a comparable ready unit, without deploying the full capital upfront.
During Ramadan, developers aggressively sweeten these deals. You will commonly see:
- Lower upfront payments
- Structured installment plans
- Fee waivers
Off-Plan vs Ready Snapshot (Ramadan 2025)
| Segment | Sales Value | Market Dynamics |
|---|---|---|
| Off-plan | AED 25.4 billion | Launch-driven and incentive-heavy |
| Ready to Move | AED 12.1 billion | Stable demand, fewer promotions |
Ready properties appeal to buyers seeking immediate rental income or occupancy. Negotiation is possible, but incentives are fewer compared to new launches.
Is Ramadan a Good Time to Buy Property in Dubai?
Most experts consider Ramadan a strategic buying window.
Benefits include:
- Seasonal incentives
- Less competition
- Focused negotiations
- Faster processing before Eid
However, buyers must remain selective. Location, rental yield, infrastructure, and long-term demand matter more than short-term offers.
What Is the Dubai Property Market Outlook for Ramadan 2026?
The market enters Ramadan 2026 after record-breaking years.
2025 recorded over AED 682 billion in sales and around 270,000 transactions. Supply projections for 2026 range from 80,000 to 120,000 residential units. Historical delivery trends suggest fewer than half may hand over on schedule.
This creates a balanced outlook:
- Sales prices likely remain firm
- Rents may stabilise in some segments
- Investor confidence remains strong
Consultancies such as Knight Frank expect continued but more measured price growth.
Ramadan 2026 will likely feature:
- Aggressive developer campaigns
- Strong off-plan apartment launches
- Stable demand for affordable villas
- Continued foreign capital inflows
Best Places to Buy Property in Dubai During Ramadan
The right community is critical for investors looking to maximize ROI. During Ramadan in 2026, developers and secondary sellers in mid-market areas will provide attractive entry points.
Here are the best affordable areas in Dubai, you can target this Ramadan.
- International City - One of the affordable freehold zones. You get about an 8 to 10% yield.
- Jumeirah Village Circle - Mid-market hub with yields of 7 to 9%.
- Dubai South - connectivity to Al Maktoum Airport & Growth Corridor. Yields range from around 7 to 8%.
- Discovery Gardens & Dubai Production City - Balanced pricing and strong tenant demand.
- DAMAC Hills 2 and Town Square - Affordable family villas.
- Dubai Silicon Oasis - Mid-range pricing with decent rental returns.
Attractive prices and strong rental stories make these communities popular targets during Ramadan.
Key Takeaways
The Dubai property market during Ramadan is a period of intense, focused opportunity. It is not a slow time; it is a time to grab the opportunity.
- Transaction values rose from AED 20.3 billion in 2023 to around AED 37.5 billion in 2025.
- Off-plan dominates, representing roughly two-thirds of Ramadan 2025 sales value.
- Incentives improve net affordability without lowering core prices.
- 2026 supply may be high on paper, but partial deliveries support price stability.
- Affordable high-yield communities remain attractive during Ramadan campaigns.
