In a move straight out of the Vision 2030 playbook, Saudi Arabia will begin allowing foreigners to buy and own property — residential, commercial, and agricultural — starting January 2026. This marks a major shift in strategy to attract global capital and diversify the economy. The law lays out a regulated framework for ownership in designated zones, signaling a calibrated opening rather than a free-for-all.

Why it matters: For the first time, non-Saudis can step into the kingdom’s property market — a smart, forward-looking move that repositions Saudi real estate as a global opportunity.

CapitaLand Integrated is going all‑in. They’ll acquire the remaining 55% stake in CapitaSpring, Singapore’s downtown mixed-use tower, for S$1.05 billion. This takes their local portfolio from 94% to 95% exposure.

Occupancy is near capacity. With almost 100% committed occupancy as of mid‑2025, demand for high‑quality office/retail space remains robust.

Why this matters: In a city famed for stability and limited land, institutional confidence in office assets speaks volumes—especially as remote work dynamics evolve. It's a smart strategic move on a high-value, low-risk asset.

House prices across the UK rose by 3.7% year-on-year as of June 2025, the average property now sits around £269,000 In London, the year-on-year increase is more modest at 2.2%, with the average home priced at £566,000. Notably, prices dropped 1.4% from April to May Asking prices saw a 1.3% drop in August, particularly strong in London where Richmond upon Thames led with a 4.7% decline

On the rental front, London remains the most expensive region, with rental price inflation at 6.3%, and average rents around £2,250/month

Housing starts in London are tumbling fastest in the UK—only 1.04 new homes launched per 1,000 existing dwellings, a 73% drop year-on-year, signaling deep future supply constraints

Why it matters: Affordability is under pressure, and despite steady activity, supply shortfall and price corrections in affluent boroughs hint at shifting dynamics.

In 2024, only 251,900 apartments were completed in Germany – that’s a 14.4% drop (around 42,500 fewer units) compared to the previous year. The steepest decline hit single- and two-family homes: -22.1% to 54,500 and -26.2% to 17,600 units respectively. Multi-family homes also shrank: -13.4% to 135,300. The only positive sign was in residential homes and dormitories, which grew by +17.6% to 8,500 units. The backlog of approved but not yet finished apartments has decreased to 759,700 units, with 330,000 already under construction. At the same time, construction takes longer: 26 months on average from approval to completion.

Citizens of other countries who have obtained the status of UAE residents cannot drive a car in the UAE without obtaining a local license (even an international license will not work). Therefore, you will have to get your license de novo, and pass theory and practice tests. To make this process easier – we have shared with you all the main stages in our alert.

Real estate has long been regarded as one of the safest investment choices. It may not be the most modern or attention-grabbing option, but it has consistently earned the trust of investors across generations. Owning something real gives a sense of security and stability that other investments often can’t match. Dubai’s real estate sector continued to demonstrate remarkable strength in the first half of 2025, cementing its role as a key driver of the emirate’s economy. According to the latest data from the Dubai Land Department, the period saw the completion of 24 real estate projects, collectively valued at AED 4.5 billion, alongside the launch of 90,337 new units to meet growing market demand. The scale of ongoing development remains significant, with 726 projects currently under construction. This sustained pipeline reflects robust investor confidence and an expanding appetite for both standalone properties and integrated residential communities.

UAE is redefining its position on the global stage. In 2025, competitiveness reports placed the nation among the top 20 countries for government support, marking a remarkable 27-place climb in just one year. This progress represents far more than a numerical rise; it signals a decisive shift in how the UAE is managing resources, driving economic expansion, and building the foundations of a sustainable future. The International Institute for Management Development’s World Competitiveness Yearbook reports that the UAE has advanced from 43rd place in 2024 to 16th in 2025 in the Government Support Index. This index evaluates government support as a percentage of GDP and serves as a key measure of how effectively nations allocate public resources to stimulate economic growth.

The UAE’s Financial System Just Earned Global Trust This isn’t just about ticking boxes for compliance. This is Brussels publicly stating: the UAE has matured its regulatory frameworks, tightened controls, and met the gold standard of financial oversight. Dubai is now in the same trust category as global hubs like Singapore, Zurich, and London. Except Dubai offers 0% tax, lifestyle advantages, unmatched infrastructure—and real yields. A Green Light for Institutional Capital Many funds, banks, and family offices in Europe, North America, and Asia had compliance constraints when it came to deploying capital into the UAE.

The UAE’s real estate market has always been defined by bold infrastructure moves — from highways to airports, and most recently, the Metro. But the Etihad Rail is not just another transport project. It is a paradigm shift in how people will choose where to live, invest, and build their futures. This is not about reducing commute times alone. It’s about redrawing the map of opportunity, reshaping demand, and setting the stage for a new cycle of growth. Investors who understand this shift early will not only capture upside — they’ll also gain resilience in markets where timing and positioning matter more than ever.

If you don’t yet have a trusted accountant with extensive experience in the market, it’s not too late to find one. Specialists certified by the UAE Federal Tax Authority can ensure your financial statements comply with local standards and assist you in submitting tax reports to UAE government agencies, as well as meeting the requirements of free zone authorities to adhere to federal laws. To learn more about why we strongly advise our clients to organize their financial statements, please refer to this alert.

Arbitration is among the most effective methods for resolving commercial disputes. However, once an arbitral award is obtained, it may be necessary to enforce it in other jurisdictions. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands out as an appealing jurisdiction for conducting business, given the significant concentration of corporate and individual assets. As a result, the question of enforcing arbitral awards in the UAE has particular importance. This alert outlines the key steps and potential challenges in enforcing arbitral awards in the UAE and offers practical recommendations to streamline and simplify the enforcement process.

Opening a corporate bank account in the UAE is often more challenging than establishing the company itself. The process can be complex, time-consuming, and carries a significant risk of rejection, leading to many uncertainties. However, if you carefully select the right location for your company, align your activities with bank preferences, have a clear understanding of the account opening and compliance processes.

For many High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs), traditional investments like real estate, bonds, and publicly traded stocks have long served as the foundation of a wealth-building strategy. But in today’s dynamic financial landscape, venture capital (VC) has emerged as a compelling avenue for those looking to diversify their portfolios, tap into high-growth opportunities, and play a role in shaping the future of innovation.

May this joyous occasion bring you and your loved ones peace, happiness, and prosperity. Eid al-Adha Mubarak!

Reuters recently reported that 120,000 residential units will be completed in Dubai by 2025 — a figure that is not supported by actual market data. In truth, only around 49,000 units are expected to be delivered that year. Just 12,000 units (4%) are currently complete, while over 270,000 units (74%) remain in early construction stages.

For decades, the world measured progress by the pace of the West. Cities like London were once seen as the peak of global progress. But in the last ten years, a new force has emerged—not to follow, but to lead. That force is Dubai.

There’s no place on Earth like Dubai. From bold ambition to global benchmark, this city has redefined what’s possible. Once called the Switzerland of the Middle East, Dubai has outgrown the comparison — today, it is the Switzerland of the world. A place where leaders unite, investments thrive, and safety is unmatched — all driven by visionary leadership and long-term strategy.

China is undeniably a global leader in AI — from surveillance to robotics — yet it ranks only 10th in real estate AI adoption. The issue isn’t a lack of technology; it’s the result of deeper structural, political, and systemic barriers. In a country where AI is thriving, the property sector is still catching up.

There’s no place on Earth like the Trump Tower Dubai. A new global icon in a city that redefines ambition. More than a landmark, it embodies the spirit of Dubai — bold, strategic, and future-driven. Here, leadership meets legacy, investment finds scale, and opportunity rises sky-high.

Global financial markets are once again taking cues from central banks. As the Federal Reserve in Washington and the Bank of England in London navigate inflation, growth, and rate decisions, investors are watching closely. The ripple effects stretch from Wall Street to the City of London, across to Singapore’s financial sector — reshaping liquidity, valuations, and risk sentiment on a global scale.

UK sanctions prohibit any transaction involving property owned either by a designated person or any person owned or controlled directly or indirectly by such designated person. In this regard, specific ownership/control criteria are of utmost importance. The said criteria, along with formal and easily verifiable grounds (e.g., ownership of more than 50% of the shares of an entity), include any actual ability to determine how affairs of an entity are conducted. The said criteria leave ample room for administrative and judicial discretion, and, given recent case law, UK courts are eager to construe them rather broadly. Accordingly, whenever participating in a sanctions-related dispute or contemplating a transaction directly or indirectly involving a designated person, it is crucial to carry out a comprehensive analysis of ties to the respective designated person to avoid sanctions.