Dubai Real Estate Sees 4049 New Licensed market reached an impressive milestone in the first half of this year, registering 4,049 new licensed activities, according to the Dubai Land Department (DLD). This surge reinforces Dubai’s position as a global investment hub and highlights the city’s growing appeal among both local and international investors. UAE Explorer reports that this growth reflects not just strong investor confidence but also the emirate’s commitment to diversifying property services, ensuring transparency, and streamlining processes for professionals across the sector.
Dubai’s real estate ecosystem has consistently attracted attention due to its modern infrastructure, strategic location, and investor-friendly policies. The increase in licensed activities showcases a market that is evolving rapidly, with new opportunities in residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments. As Dubai continues to expand its skyline and enhance urban living experiences, this growth signals a thriving property market where technology, regulatory excellence, and innovative projects converge to benefit investors, residents, and developers alike.
Fast Facts
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Total activities: 4,049 new real estate licenses in H1 This year
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Top category: Sales brokerage led with 2,301 licenses; leasing brokerage recorded 1,279
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Engine of growth: Trakheesi System ensures streamlined approvals and compliance
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Why it matters: Demonstrates strong investor confidence and a diversified property services market
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Strategic link: Supports Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033 by fostering innovation, sustainability, and trust
These numbers underscore Dubai’s balanced growth across multiple segments. Sales brokerage remains dominant, reflecting ongoing interest in property purchases, while leasing brokerage growth indicates a robust rental market. Meanwhile, smaller categories like property valuation, consultancy, and development services contribute to a comprehensive and well-regulated property ecosystem.
Trakheesi System Driving Market Expansion
The Trakheesi System has become the backbone of Dubai’s real estate licensing framework. Designed to digitally streamline approvals, it covers activities such as property sales and leasing brokerage, property management, land trading, valuation, consultancy, development, and trustee services. By requiring pre-approvals for specialized activities, the system ensures market compliance and protects investor interests.
Integration with Dubai’s broader digital ecosystem has significantly enhanced efficiency, allowing professionals to register, renew, and manage licenses quickly and securely. UAE Explorer highlights that this digital transformation aligns with Dubai’s goal of creating a business-friendly, transparent, and secure property market. The system not only reduces administrative hurdles but also strengthens confidence in the regulatory framework, encouraging higher levels of foreign and local investment.
Beyond licensing, the Trakheesi System enables real-time tracking of activities, improves data transparency, and ensures accurate reporting, which is critical for market analysis and strategic planning. Developers and brokers now have a streamlined workflow for approvals, while investors can verify licensed entities easily, enhancing trust across all sectors.
Brokerage Services Leading the Numbers
Of the total new licensed activities, sales brokerage led the chart with 2,301 licenses, signaling strong demand for property purchase services. UAE Explorer notes that sales brokerage growth reflects investor confidence in Dubai’s real estate market and the potential for profitable returns in both residential and commercial segments.
Leasing brokerage followed with 1,279 activities, highlighting the vibrancy of Dubai’s rental market. With a growing expatriate population and corporate relocations, rental demand remains high, driving the need for efficient leasing services. UAE Explorer reports that this sector is particularly dynamic in areas like Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and Jumeirah Lake Towers, where rental yields and occupancy rates remain attractive.
Other licensed activities include:
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Land and property trading: 273 licenses, indicating investor interest in strategic land acquisitions
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Property management supervision: 43 licenses, ensuring professional oversight for high-value properties
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Mortgage brokerage: 43 licenses, supporting property financing solutions
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Real estate consultancy: 40 licenses, offering expert advice to investors and developers
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Leasing/private property management: 24 licenses, catering to individual and corporate rental needs
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Leasing/third-party property management: 9 licenses, enhancing operational efficiency
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Property valuation: 14 licenses, providing accurate market pricing for investment decisions
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Jointly owned property management: 9 licenses, managing shared community assets
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Real estate development: 11 licenses, fueling new construction projects
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Mortgage advisory: 3 licenses, guiding investors in financial planning
This detailed breakdown shows a well-rounded property services market, where both high-volume and niche activities contribute to the emirate’s thriving real estate ecosystem. UAE Explorer emphasizes that this diversification attracts a wider range of investors, ensuring that the market remains resilient, innovative, and competitive.
Aligned with Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033
The expansion in licensed activities directly supports the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033, which emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and trust as core pillars for long-term growth. By fostering a transparent and efficient property market, Dubai aims to attract new residents and investors while maintaining its global leadership in real estate.
Key focus areas of the strategy include:
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Sustainability: Encouraging green building designs, energy-efficient structures, and eco-friendly urban planning
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Innovation: Promoting technology-driven solutions such as smart property management systems, AI-based market insights, and digital platforms for property transactions
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Trust: Enhancing investor protection, market transparency, and regulatory compliance to ensure a safe and predictable investment environment
By aligning licensed activities with these goals, Dubai ensures a future-ready property sector that can accommodate evolving investor needs, support sustainable urban growth, and continue delivering attractive returns. UAE Explorer highlights that initiatives like the Trakheesi System and smart city integration strengthen the city’s reputation as a forward-thinking real estate hub.
Future Outlook
Dubai’s real estate market is poised for continued growth, driven by strong investor confidence, technological integration, and strategic urban development. The 4,049 new licensed activities set a solid foundation for expansion across residential, commercial, and mixed-use sectors. Emerging neighborhoods and free zones are expected to attract further investment, providing opportunities for both first-time investors and seasoned property developers.
UAE Explorer reports that the combination of efficient licensing, transparent regulations, and innovative developments creates a competitive advantage for Dubai on the global real estate stage. International investors can expect streamlined access to property opportunities, while developers benefit from a predictable regulatory environment and high demand for modern, well-designed projects.
Dubai’s real estate sector is not just growing in volume but also in quality and sophistication. Licensed activities encompass innovative architectural designs, luxury finishes, smart home integrations, and community-centric layouts, all contributing to the city’s long-term appeal. As the emirate continues to attract talent, businesses, and investors worldwide, the property market remains a cornerstone of economic diversification and urban innovation.