Dubai property: UK buyers start to overtake Indians as overseas investors, says Betterhomes

Dubai: The Dubai’s property market is seeing a sustained increased in investors from the UK – and Ireland – in recent weeks, with some real estate agencies saying British buyers have even gone past those from India and Pakistan in deals.

There has already been much speculation that Dubai will see a renewed influx of buying from UK nationals, especially when it comes to demand for luxury and super-luxury properties. A recent report highlighted that millionaires from the UK would be among the most likely to head to the UAE amidst talk about a wealth tax in the UK.)

Now, Betterhomes, the Dubai based real estate consultancy, says that in the second quarter of 2025 there’s been a notable shift in buyer demographics with the United Kingdom claiming the top spot, overtaking India’. This is based on deals that the firm engaged in during the three-month period from April.

“UK buyer activity grew by a remarkable 56% quarter-on-quarter, reflecting strong interest from British nationals, possibly driven by currency advantages and confidence in Dubai s long-term investment potential,” said the report.

Buyers from India and Pakistan ‘maintained strong positions at second and third, respectively,’ the report adds.

Russian buyer numbers are dropping, but those from Ireland are showing up frequently in the Betterhomes’ deal flows.

Other leading agencies are also reporting similar trends involving increased buyer action from the UK and some of the other European economies. Polish buyers are figuring prominently in these transactions.

“There are at least 3-4 UK nationals scouting for Dh30 million to Dh50 million plus homes that we trying to help with,” said an estate agent. “These are end-users and not investors, and we are seeing a lot of that trend too.”

The most notable UK based businessman to buy a home in Dubai this year is Lakshmi Mittal, the steel tycoon and owner of ArcelorMittal.

In Q2-2025, homes valued at Dh15 million and over saw a ‘record-breaking’ 1,417 transactions in Dubai - a 67% quarter-on-quarter increase from 851 deals in Q1, according to Betterhomes.

“On an annual basis, activity has more than doubled, reflecting a remarkable 113% year-on-year growth, underscoring the booming appetite for ultra-luxury real estate in Dubai.”

* Offplan transactions involving Dh15 million and over homes reached 264, a 103% quarter-on-quarter growth and a 48% increase year-on-year, ‘showing continued interest in luxury developments under construction’.

* Secondary properties significantly outperformed, hitting an all-time high of 1,153 transactions, 4.5 times more than offplan sales in the same quarter. “The data clearly indicates that buyers in the luxury segment are increasingly gravitating toward ready properties, prioritising exclusivity, immediate handover, and established prime locations,” says the report.