If you have been thinking about how to buy property abroad — whether in London’s prime real estate market or Spain’s booming coastal and city destinations — you can now explore both under one roof, right here in Dubai.
From 6th to 10th April 2025, Sherwoods International Properties is hosting an exclusive International Property Week at our Jumeirah Lake Towers offices, bringing expert consultants from two of the world’s most sought-after international property markets directly to you.
No flights. No overseas trips. Just private, one-on-one consultations with specialists who live and breathe these markets — tailored to your budget, your goals, and your timeline.
Spaces are limited and by appointment only. Here is everything you need to know.
Why Now Is One of the Best Times to Buy Property Abroad as a Dubai-Based Investor
Dubai-based investors sit in a uniquely powerful position right now. Holding AED — which is pegged to the USD — means your purchasing power in both GBP and EUR has shifted significantly in your favour over the past two years.
London remains one of the world’s most established property investment destinations, recognised for its financial prestige, mature legal framework and international appeal. Meanwhile, buying property in Spain in 2025 remains a smart move for foreign buyers — demand is high, supply is tight, and prices are rising, especially in sought-after areas like Costa del Sol, Madrid, Valencia, and Alicante.
For Dubai residents looking to diversify their portfolio internationally, these two markets represent different but complementary strategies — London for stability and liquidity, Spain for lifestyle value and capital growth. Both are accessible, transparent, and proven over decades.
🇬🇧 London Property Investment: Why Dubai Investors Are Buying Right Now
The Case for Prime London Real Estate in 2025
London is the most liquid residential property market in the world. Freehold ownership is legally simple, titles are crystal clear, and the rental market is backed by one of the most internationally mobile populations of any city on earth.
For UAE-based buyers, several factors have converged to make 2025 particularly compelling:
Currency advantage. The AED–USD peg means Dubai-based buyers are effectively purchasing London property in USD. GBP/USD fluctuations over the past three years have created windows of genuine value for dollar-denominated purchasers that did not exist in 2020 or 2021.
Rental demand at record levels. London’s rental market is experiencing structurally constrained supply. Demand from professionals, international students, and corporate tenants has pushed vacancy rates to historic lows in Zones 1 through 3, supporting both yield and capital stability.
No foreign ownership restrictions. Unlike many comparable markets, the UK places no restrictions on foreign nationals purchasing residential property. There are no quotas, no nationality-based exclusions, and no requirement to be a UK resident to complete a purchase.
London vs Dubai yields — the portfolio logic. Compared to global property hubs like London and New York, Dubai offers higher rental yields of 6–7% versus 2–3% in London. This difference is precisely why the two markets complement each other in a portfolio — Dubai delivers income yield, London delivers capital preservation and liquidity in a globally recognised hard currency.
What Our London Specialists Will Cover
At International Property Week, our London consultants will present handpicked opportunities across prime and emerging London zones, including:
- Prime Central London (Westminster, Kensington, Chelsea) — low yield, maximum capital stability and global liquidity
- Zone 2 growth corridors (Battersea, Nine Elms, Stratford) — higher yield, strong infrastructure-driven capital growth
- Buy-to-let apartments — professionally managed rental properties with pre-tenanted options available
- Off-plan new builds — exchange now, complete on handover, structured payment across construction
Our consultants will match specific opportunities to your investment size, whether you are looking for a single apartment or building a multi-property London portfolio.
🇪🇸 Spain Property Investment: Europe’s Highest-Demand Market for Foreign Buyers
Why Spain Is the Most In-Demand International Property Market Right Now
Spain is currently one of the most searched international property markets in the world — and the data backs that up. Foreign buyers acquired nearly 93,000 homes in Spain in 2024, accounting for 14.6% of total transactions, a record figure never before seen in the country.
Spain’s National Statistics Institute recorded property sales rising 40.6% compared to the same period in 2024 — continuing a trend of strong activity. BBVA Research forecasts a 7.3% increase in home prices in 2025, followed by another 5.3% rise in 2026.
For Dubai-based buyers, Spain offers something that very few international markets can match: the combination of lifestyle value, capital growth, strong rental yields, and year-round demand from tourism and long-term expat communities.
The Best Areas to Buy Property in Spain as a Foreign Investor
Our Spain specialists will walk you through the highest-performing regions for international buyers right now:
Costa del Sol & Marbella — One of the most popular regions in Spain, Andalucía offers investors, second-home seekers, and expats the ideal combination of beach and city living, with world-class amenities from championship golf courses to Michelin-starred dining. Marbella, Estepona, and Benahavís remain the benchmark for high-end Spanish investment.
Alicante & Costa Blanca — Alicante consistently attracts the highest percentage of foreign demand at 33.2% of international buyer inquiries, thanks to its vibrant coastal towns, established expat networks, and competitive pricing. Towns like Jávea, Torrevieja, and Altea offer a mix of affordable resale properties and well-priced new builds.
Madrid — Spain’s capital offers a stable, transparent property market with consistent long-term capital growth, strong rental demand from professionals and digital nomads, and an increasingly international population.
Valencia — One of Spain’s fastest-growing property markets, Valencia attracts buyers from the Netherlands, Germany, and the US with its combination of coastal lifestyle, modern infrastructure, and pricing that remains significantly below Barcelona.
Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca) — Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca attract European buyers searching for exclusivity, leisure, and high rental yields. Premium properties here carry some of Spain’s strongest seasonal rental returns.
What About Spain’s Golden Visa?
It is important to address this directly: Spain’s Golden Visa programme officially closed in April 2025. The property-for-residency route is no longer available.
However, this does not affect your right to purchase property in Spain. Foreign nationals — including UAE residents and non-EU citizens — can still buy property freely with no restrictions. Foreigners can buy without restrictions, but must obtain a NIE (Foreigner Identification Number) and budget 10–15% in additional costs for taxes, notary fees, legal services, and registration.
Spain still offers alternative residency pathways including the Non-Lucrative Visa (for passive income earners and retirees) and the Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers). Our consultants will walk you through which route, if any, fits your profile alongside a property purchase.
Spain Property vs Dubai: Why Investors Choose Both
Many of Sherwoods’ clients who own property in Dubai also hold Spanish real estate. The logic is straightforward:
- Dubai delivers high rental yields, zero tax, and a fast-growing capital city environment
- Spain delivers lifestyle value, European capital preservation, and a hard-EUR asset outside the GCC
Together, they represent a diversified international portfolio that hedges geography, currency, and market cycle risk — without concentrating everything in a single jurisdiction.
Event Details — International Property Week at Sherwoods
📅 Dates: 6th – 10th April 2025 📍 Location: Unit G01, Madina Tower, Cluster O, Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), Dubai 🔒 Format: Private consultations by appointment only — not a group seminar
Each consultation is a one-on-one conversation with a specialist in your destination of interest. No sales pitch. No group presentation. A direct, structured conversation about your specific situation: your capital, your objectives, your timeline, and which opportunities are realistically available to you right now.
Our specialists will cover:
✅ Best London zones and property types for your investment size ✅ Best Spanish regions based on your goals (capital growth vs lifestyle vs rental yield) ✅ Financing options — mortgages in the UK and Spain for non-residents ✅ Tax implications for UAE-based buyers in both markets ✅ Ownership structure — personal, corporate, or trust ✅ How to combine both markets in a coherent international portfolio
International Property Investment: The Key Facts for Dubai-Based Buyers
Can I get a mortgage in the UK as a Dubai resident?
Yes. Several UK lenders offer buy-to-let and residential mortgages to non-resident buyers, including those based in the UAE. Our London specialists work with brokers who specialise in expat and overseas buyer mortgage products. Typical loan-to-value ratios for non-residents range from 65–75%.
Can I get a mortgage in Spain as a non-resident?
Foreigners can often get mortgage loans in Spain, but interest rates may be higher and lenders will require thorough financial information. Expect to pay a down payment of 30% to 40%. Our Spain consultants work with licensed Spanish mortgage brokers who handle the NIE registration and bank application process for international buyers.
Do I pay tax in Spain if I buy property there but live in Dubai?
Spain levies a non-resident property tax (IRNR) on foreign owners, typically calculated as a percentage of the property’s cadastral value. If you rent the property, rental income is also taxable in Spain. However, the UAE-Spain double taxation treaty significantly limits double exposure. Our team will walk you through the specific numbers for your situation.
How long does it take to buy property in London?
For completed properties, the standard UK conveyancing process takes eight to twelve weeks from offer accepted to completion. For new-build or off-plan purchases, the exchange-to-completion window is set by the development’s handover date — which can work in buyers’ favour for cash flow planning.
One Week. Two Countries. Endless Possibilities.
Whether you are making your first international property purchase, adding to an existing portfolio, or exploring Spain as a lifestyle and retirement destination, Sherwoods’ International Property Week gives you direct access to specialists who know these markets in depth — without a single flight.
📞 To reserve your appointment, call or WhatsApp us directly. ✉️ Reply to this message and our team will confirm your slot within 24 hours.
Spaces are strictly limited across the five days.
Sherwoods International Properties — advising investors since 1988. Unit G01, Madina Tower, Cluster O, JLT, Dubai
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Dubai residents buy property in London? A: Yes. The UK has no restrictions on foreign property ownership. UAE residents and nationals can purchase freehold or leasehold property in London with no quotas or nationality conditions.
Q: Is Spain property a good investment in 2025? A: Spain’s property market is performing strongly — BBVA Research forecasts 7.3% home price growth in 2025. Foreign buyers set a record in 2024 with nearly 93,000 transactions. Costa del Sol, Alicante, and Valencia are the highest-demand areas for international investors.
Q: Do I need to visit Spain or London to buy property there? A: Not necessarily. Many international buyers complete purchases via Power of Attorney, allowing a local lawyer to sign on their behalf. Our consultants can walk you through this process at the event.
Q: What is the minimum budget to invest in London property? A: Entry-level buy-to-let apartments in London’s Zone 2–3 corridors typically start from £250,000–£350,000. Prime Central London starts significantly higher. Our consultants will match opportunities to your specific budget.
Q: What is the minimum budget to invest in Spain property? A: Spain offers one of the widest price ranges of any European market. Coastal apartments in emerging areas start from €150,000–€250,000, while Marbella, Mallorca, and Madrid prime properties range from €500,000 upward. Our consultants will identify the right market for your capital.
