Investor Guide · France
Investing in Dubai from France
Why France invests in Dubai
The contraction of the French real estate market has intensified over the last 24 months and as we enter 2025, Dubai is an increasingly popular market for French investors to diversify into.
French investors have seen their domestic market slowdown with only 42% of the average level of commercial real estate investment in Q4 of 2023 and only 50% of residential real estate investments made during the same timelines.
In fact, as far as the residential market is concerned, over the full 2023 financial period, total investment in French property amounted to EUR 11.6 billion, compared to EUR 25.5 billion in 2022 - a significant drop of 57%.
Over the past two decades, French investors have increasingly turned their attention to the Dubai property market, drawn by the promising investment prospects in the Emirate.
In fact, France was one of the top ten countries to invest in Dubai property during the past few years. Even before that, back in 2020, it was estimated that almost EUR 1.6 billion worth of Dubai property was owned by French investors.
Like most global investors, France has recognised the potential of Dubai’s property market, which is currently experiencing its third growth cycle. Dubai stands out as one of the world’s top-performing property markets, offering substantial growth and appealing returns while other assets falter in a challenging macroeconomic environment.
What to know before investing
More and more French investors are acquiring assets in Dubai. The following statistics show significant evidence of French investors within the Dubai property market. They are reflective of French confidence in the Emirate’s real estate sector and its potential for a favourable return on investment.
French investors are actively diversifying their investment portfolios in Dubai’s property market. In the past, investors were predominately buying apartments. In contrast, now they are confident enough to purchase higher-ticket-priced residential assets such as villas and commercial or hospitality assets.
2023 saw the first Gulf Vision event in Paris. The flagship conference organised by Business France promoted investment between the two countries, with over 1,000 meetings taking place within a 48-hour period. Since then, French investors have continued to be actively welcomed by the Dubai and UAE authorities.
Strong Capital Growth: Heading into 2025, Dubai offers significant potential for capital growth with the latest full-year figures recording an average growth of 7 to 8%, making it one of the world's leading markets.
Favourable Yields: In 2024, the Dubai property market has achieved rental yields of around 8%, surpassing most other investment options and even prime properties in France. The average gross rental yield in France during Q4 2024 was 4.52% - a slight drop on the 4.56% recorded a year earlier.
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