Dubai’s High-End Homes Attract Saudi and Indian Buyers

Dubai is still the top choice for the world’s ultra-wealthy and it’s showing in the city’s red-hot luxury property market.

Wealthy Saudi nationals and Indians are currently among the biggest investors in Dubai’s high-end real estate scene. These are individuals with personal wealth of $20 million or more, and they’re the driving force behind the sustained demand for super-luxury homes in the city.

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A standout example? Steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal recently bought a villa in Emirates Hills for a whopping $100 million (around Dh367 million). And he’s far from alone.

According to Knight Frank, 71% of global high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) now say Dubai is their preferred emirate in the UAE for buying real estate. The interest is strongest among Saudi nationals (80%), followed by British (74%), Indians (69%), and East Asian (61%) HNWIs.

“During 2024, Saudi, Indian and British nationals accounted for just over 50% of the homes we sold in Dubai,” said Will McKintosh, Regional Partner and Head of Residential, MENA at Knight Frank.

Whether it's Bollywood stars, Hollywood celebs, or business moguls, the sentiment is clear, Dubai remains the place to buy a luxury home.

Dubai Tops Global Rankings for Ultra-Luxury Sales

In 2023, Dubai recorded 435 property sales priced at $10 million and above, almost matching the combined total of London and New York. And the momentum hasn’t slowed down in 2025. In just Q1, there were 111 such sales, marking a new record for the January-to-March period.

“The super-rich remain laser-focused on purchasing luxury homes in the city,” said Shehzad Jamal, Partner – Strategy & Consultancy at Knight Frank. “This unrelenting demand is why Dubai is the world’s busiest market for $10 million+ home sales for the second year in a row.”

Dubai Marina Tops the Wishlist

When it comes to neighbourhoods, Dubai Marina continues to be the top choice among wealthy buyers, especially those with yachts and a taste for waterfront living. Despite growing competition from Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai Islands, and new luxury towers from Azizi, Sobha, Trump, and Binghatti, Dubai Marina holds strong.

Knight Frank’s data shows:

• Dubai Marina: 28% of HNWIs prefer it
• Dubai Hills Estate: 24%
• Emirates Hills: 23%

Among those with a net worth over $50 million, the preference is even more pronounced:

• Dubai Marina: 43%
• Dubai Hills Estate: 30%
• Emirates Hills: 22%

“Dubai Marina is still the poster-child of the city’s luxury property market,” said Jamal.