UAE Property ROI
Calculator

Dubai's city-wide average gross rental yield is around 6–7%, among the highest of major global cities. Affordable communities like JVC and International City can reach 8–9% gross, while prime areas like Palm Jumeirah and Downtown run 4.5–5.5% but offer stronger capital appreciation. A net yield above 5% after all costs is generally considered good.

Gross yield is annual rent divided by the property price. Net yield deducts running costs — service charges, management, maintenance and vacancy — before dividing by price. Cash-on-cash return measures net income (after any mortgage payments) against the actual cash you put in, including the down payment and purchase fees, making it the truest measure for financed purchases.

No. The UAE has no annual property tax and no personal income tax on rental income for individuals. The main government cost is the one-time 4% DLD transfer fee at purchase; tenants separately pay a 5% housing fee on rent through DEWA bills.

Budget for annual service charges (commonly AED 10–25 per sq ft depending on the building), property management at about 5% of rent if outsourced, ongoing maintenance of roughly 1% of the property value, and a vacancy allowance of about 5% of rent between tenancies. Together these typically turn a 7% gross yield into roughly 5–5.5% net.

Yes — investment mortgages exist, though second/investment properties require a 40% down payment under Central Bank rules (20% if it's your first home). Leverage can amplify cash-on-cash returns when the net yield exceeds the mortgage rate, but it also introduces negative-cashflow risk if rents dip; this calculator shows both effects live.

Yes. Property worth AED 750,000 or more can qualify for a 2-year investor residence visa, and AED 2 million or more qualifies for the 10-year Golden Visa (with conditions on mortgaged and off-plan property). Check your route with our Golden Visa eligibility checker.