Escape the 60% ABSD. Bypass 99-year leasehold restrictions. Secure institutional-grade 5–8% net yields in Dubai's premium freehold zones.
Last updated . Research by Syed Sikandar (RERA #75044).
| Metric | Singapore | Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Buyer Surcharge | 60% ABSD | 0% |
| Standard Stamp Duty | Up to 6% BSD | 4% DLD Transfer Fee |
| Income Tax on Rental | Up to 22–24% | 0% |
| Annual Residential Property Tax | 10–36% of Annual Value | 0% |
| Tenure | Predominantly 99-year leaseholds | 100% Freehold Title Deed |
| Residency Pathway | None | 10-Year Golden Visa (from AED 2M) |
Data based on 2026 regulations. Singapore figures assume foreign buyer under ABSD regime; Dubai figures apply to foreign buyers in designated freehold zones.
At ~SGD 7,500 per sqm, prime Dubai real estate costs roughly one-third of Singapore's Core Central Region (D9/D10/D11), while delivering materially higher net cash-on-cash yield.
This is general information, not tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor in Singapore.
AED 750,000
2-year investor visa
Entry-level residency tied to a qualifying property purchase, renewable while the asset is held.
AED 2,000,000
10-year Golden Visa
Self-sponsored, with no minimum stay requirement — you keep Singapore as your base if you want to.
Highest-liquidity yield play; studios and 1-beds dominate
Lower entry pricing with steady tenant demand
Affordable freehold with a stable working-tenant base
Central location, deep rental market, heavy new supply
Mature waterfront district with resale liquidity
Yields are drawn from the same Dubai Land Department–anchored area dataset used across Sikandar's market intelligence pages, and update as new transactions are recorded.
Yes. Foreign nationals, including Singapore citizens and Singapore-based PRs, can buy 100% freehold property in Dubai's designated freehold zones with a title deed registered at the Dubai Land Department. There is no foreign buyer surcharge equivalent to Singapore's ABSD.
No. ABSD applies to residential property in Singapore. A Dubai purchase carries a 4% DLD transfer fee plus registration and agency costs, with no foreign buyer surcharge and no annual residential property tax.
Singapore operates a broadly territorial tax system, and foreign-sourced rental income and capital gains are typically not taxed in Singapore. This is general information, not tax advice — confirm your own position with a Singapore tax advisor.
A 2-year investor visa starts from AED 750,000 of property value. The 10-year Golden Visa starts from AED 2,000,000, is self-sponsored, and carries no minimum stay requirement.