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Apartments and flats for sale in Abu Dhabi

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Apartment in Abu Dhabi with a residency permit

The demand for apartments and flats for sale in Abu Dhabi has increased dramatically after changes in local legislation that allowed foreigners to own real estate in special zones indefinitely. They are in high demand among investors interested in rental income and capital gains and ordinary buyers who want to move to the emirate or relax in it.

Foreigners can own real estate only in the emirate's freehold zones permanently. If certain conditions are met, they receive the right to obtain a residence permit in the UAE by buying an apartment in Abu Dhabi. The most popular locations for apartment investments include:

  • Yas Island. The artificial island attracts expats and tourists with its fashionable restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, shopping malls and popular attractions such as the marina of the same name and the Ferrari World amusement park. The range of local properties includes both affordable studios and luxurious apartments for sale in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with premium amenities.
  • Saadiyat Island. The island is known as the emirate’s cultural hub with numerous museums, regular art exhibitions and sights of interest. The flats for sale in Abu Dhabi offer easy access to golf courses, landscaped beaches, restaurants and social facilities such as schools, universities and shops.
  • Al Reef. The area is located next to the international airport and the highway leading to Dubai. Flats in Abu Dhabi attract families with children with its calm atmosphere, green spaces and developed infrastructure.
  • Al Reem Island. The natural island offers upscale apartments that are in demand among both investors and ordinary buyers. Easy access to key roads in the emirate allows residents to reach popular locations as quickly as possible. This area is home to shopping malls, parks, schools and universities, so local properties are suitable for expats.
  • Al Raha Beach. The community enjoys attention from buyers and renters looking for apartments in Abu Dhabi for investment with scenic bay views and easy access to the beach. It offers a diverse selection of shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and good transport links to other areas.

Residence permit in UAE by buying an apartment in Abu Dhabi

The programme of obtaining a residence permit in the UAE through property investment is one of the leading factors attracting foreign investors. The lowest apartment price in Abu Dhabi to obtain a 2-year residence status is AED 750,000 ($205,000). Buyers applying for a 10-year permit must invest at least AED 2 million ($545,000) in an apartment for sale in Abu Dhabi.

It is allowed to include a spouse, unmarried daughters of any age and unmarried sons under the age of 25 in the application. To extend the residence permit, the investor must retain ownership of the investment apartment in Abu Dhabi.

Investment apartment in Abu Dhabi

While the value of Dubai real estate is increasing steadily, investors have begun to look for more affordable options in neighbouring emirates. Many of them decided to buy an apartment in Abu Dhabi and get a residence permit, which also led to a noticeable increase in prices. The cost of apartments in Abu Dhabi rose by an average of 10% in the first half of 2024. The growth rate reached 6% in the elite segment. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, so investors seeking profit from resale should pay attention to a property in the UAE.

Owners of studios, apartments and penthouses can also receive rental income. The average return on investment in Al Reef reaches 7.67% per annum, while in Al Raha Beach and Al Reem Island — 7.17% and 7.09%, respectively. The most profitable is the daily rent, but it requires a significant amount of money from investors. Tasks such as finding and securing tenants, and maintaining and cleaning properties can be outsourced to experts from property management companies.

FAQ

Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Abu Dhabi?

Law No. 19 of 2005 allows foreigners to own any type of real estate, except land plots. They can buy a flat in Abu Dhabi, including houses. Foreign investors have the opportunity to register perpetual ownership of housing in any of the 9 freehold zones.

Foreigners are allowed to possess their property under various types of temporary ownership throughout the rest of the city:

  • A long-term lease for at least 25 years, which can be extended;
  • Leasehold — a lease for up to 99 years, which allows you to use your apartment in Abu Dhabi with a residency permit as you want;
  • Usufruct — a lease for up to 99 years prohibiting changing properties;
  • Musataha — a lease for up to 50 years with the choice to renew it for a similar period allowing you to modify your home.
How to get a residence permit in the UAE for buying an apartment in Abu Dhabi?
To obtain a residence permit, a foreigner must invest the amount set by the visa programme in apartments or villas in the UAE, and then submit a certificate of ownership, a completed application form and other necessary documents to the immigration service.
What is the lowest cost of an apartment in Abu Dhabi to obtain a UAE residence permit?
A foreigner issuing a resident permit in the UAE by buying an apartment in Abu Dhabi must invest at least AED 750,000 ($205,000) in real estate in total. Such an investment will allow them to receive a resident status for 2 years. To obtain a 10-year permit, it is necessary to purchase housing worth at least AED 2 million ($545,000).
In which area is it more profitable to buy an apartment in Abu Dhabi?
The most popular apartments in Abu Dhabi for investors are located in such areas as Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Al Reef, Al Rim Island and Al Raha Beach.
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